NY Jets bring in potential competition for Matt Ammendola

The NY Jets have signed kicker Alex Kessman to the practice squad as a possible replacement for Matt Ammendola, should Ammendola continue to struggle.

The Jets kicker missed two field goal attempts in New York's loss to the Miami Dolphins in Week 11, failing to convert from 55 and 40 yards.

Ammendola has now missed four kicks over the past five weeks, which doesn't bode well for the youngster's future.

The Jets have enough trouble getting on the scoreboard as it is, and Ammendola's 68.8 percent field goal completion rate just isn't cutting it. He's not even close.

New York have seen a long trail of bad kickers come and go in recent history, but Ammendola's numbers are among the worst: he ranks fifth out of the the seven different kickers who've attempted a field goal for the Jets since 2016 in field-goal percentage.

The formerly undrafted Oklahoma State product may be on his last leg with the Jets — literally.

His competition, Kessman, hails out of the University of Pittsburgh, recording a 71.9 percent field goal competition rate and 97.1 percent extra point completion rate during his college career.

NY Jets leave door wide open on current kicker Matt Ammendola

He's Pittsburgh’s record holder for 50-yard field goals in a career (12) and in a season (four) and can boast one of the strongest legs in the nation.

In comparison, Ammendola has struggled from long distance going 0-for-3 from 50-plus yards and 2-for-4 from 40-49 yards.

Kessman was signed by the Los Angeles Chargers as an undrafted free agent in May and released after their opener against the Rams.

He beat out three others for a spot on the Jets' practice squad: veteran Josh Lambo, former undrafted free agent Dominik Eberle, and ex-Washington Football Team kicker Chris Blewitt, who all tried out with the Jets this week.

Despite Kessman's sparkling college record, the Jets' kicker job is still Ammendola's to lose.

Kessman has never kicked in a regular-season game, and though he clearly has the leg strength, his consistent accuracy and performance under pressure have yet to be truly tested.

All eyes will be upon Ammendola if his number is called against the Houston Texans in Week 12. Kessman, too, will be watching very, very closely.