Jets make final decision on Jason Sanders after flirting with Blake Grupe

After three weeks of playing for his job, the New York Jets are finally moving forward with Jason Sanders as their kicker. At least for now.

The New York Post's Brian Costello reported on Tuesday afternoon that the Jets are waiving former Indianapolis Colts kicker Blake Grupe, whom they claimed off waivers after 53-man roster cuts, and signing Sanders to the active roster.

Sanders had been on the Jets' practice squad since being released in late August, and after three elevations, it was time for New York to make a decision on who their kicker would be going forward.

After three straight games of solid kicking from the former Miami Dolphins All-Pro, the Jets are going to stay the course with Sanders. Grupe never even got the chance to kick while donning the Green & White.

Jason Sanders has earned the right to be the New York Jets' kicker

This isn't the first time in 2026 that Sanders has been named the Jets' starting kicker. After two preseason games, New York cut ties with Cade York, the leg they had in training camp as Sanders' primary competition.

Sanders rewarded the Jets' trust in him with an absolute stinker in their preseason finale against the New York Giants. He missed on a 50-plus-yard field goal attempt and even managed to miss an extra point.

It's why the Jets released him as part of 53-man roster cuts and claimed Grupe off waivers. The former Colts kicker essentially took his active roster spot. But Sanders' Jets story didn't end there.

Despite his preseason struggles, the Jets had Sanders kick for them in their Week 1 outing against the Tennessee Titans. Aaron Glenn cited his familiarity with holder Austin McNamara and Thomas Hennessy as the reason why.

Glenn and special teams coordinator Chris Banjo were proven right with their belief in Sanders, as he had a pretty good opening outing. Despite one horrendous shank, the 30-year-old kicker was 3-of-4 on field goal attempts and nailed both of his extra points.

Since then, Sanders has been nothing but solid for the Jets. In Week 2 and Week 3, the long-time Dolphins kicker was perfect on all attempts, going a perfect 5-for-5 on two field goal attempts and three extra-point tries.

It makes all the sense in the world that the Jets would move forward with Sanders as their kicker. At this point, Grupe was just taking up a spot on the team's 53-man roster.

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