Nick Folk was traded to the Titans last summer after spending four years with the Patriots. The 39-year-old kicker was forced to relocate after that, but he had a successful first season in Nashville.
In 2023, Folk made all but one of his thirty field goals, and his 96.7% success rate was the highest in the NFL. In addition, he converted 28 of 30 extra point attempts, demonstrating that in spite of his advanced age, he is still able to put on strong performances. Tennessee decided to keep him after all of that in March by offering him a one-year contract with a guaranteed $3.5 million.
Folk probably could have had several outside suitors if he had wanted to test the market, given his good performance in 2023. Rather, by staying in Tennessee, he will provide the team with another season of reliable output at the position, something the Patriots were not able to get with Chad Ryland, who was selected to replace Folk.
Although the latter had trouble with kickoffs for the majority of his time with New England, his 2023 kickoff touchback percentage (50.8%) and average depth (62.3 yards) were higher than his career norms. Folk, who is into his 17th NFL season, naturally has doubts about whether he will play again. Though if he desired one, another successful season with the Titans, who had kicker Brayden Narveson in their UDFA class, would undoubtedly improve his chances of finding another opportunity in 2025.
Folk’s accuracy has been consistent aside from his extended range on kicks that are longer than fifty yards, which may be reason for concern. His record of 78 straight field goals made inside 40 yards is the longest in NFL history. As long as he maintains his consistency up close, the Titans should have a solid kicking game in 2024.
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