The Jets’ latest kicking competition has been decided.
New York has released Matt Ammendola and signed Alex Kessman to the active roster. The moves come after Ammendola missed three field goals over his last two games, thus prompting New York to hold an open competition in practice this week.
Ammendola, Gang Green’s kicker since the start of the season, made 68.4% of his 19 field goal attempts.
Kessman joined New York’s practice squad on Nov. 24. He does not have any regular-season experience, but he did have an accomplished — if not always accurate — career at Pitt. The undrafted free agent spent time with the Chargers over the summer. Now Kessman will be the Jets’ kicker when they host the Eagles.
Should he not perform well, the Jets could look elsewhere next week. Former Bears K Eddy Piñeiro worked out for New York this week, a sign that the team was considering external options.
For now, the job belongs to Kessman. That can change, though.
