Carolina Panthers kicker Joey Slye’s only competition this summer has been himself. And he’s losing.
As of Monday, the team still has yet to bring in any challengers for his starting role in the midst of his disappointing preseason play. There were no new legs present when the Panthers returned to their Charlotte practice field and head coach Matt Rhule didn’t have much insight into whether or not that’ll change.
No new kicker at Panthers practice after Matt Rhule seemed to send a message to Joey Slye on Saturday.
— David Newton (@DNewtonespn) August 23, 2021
“I really have no comments on personnel right now. We have to make some roster cuts by tomorrow,” Rhule said. “So, you’ll see some roster moves tomorrow.”
Ah, the ol’ wait-and-see mode, huh?
Rhule wasn’t as kind to Slye following Saturday’s 20-3 loss to the Baltimore Ravens, where he told reporters the kicker “has not produced at the level” they need him to. The third-year special teamer missed a 37-yard attempt on the night, in addition to a failed extra point try last week in Indianapolis.
There’s still time for Slye to redeem himself, however, according to Rhule.
“For me to feel comfortable, he just has to make the kicks. I think for him, he just has to take what he does in practice and take it to the game,” he said. “He can certainly do it. It’s just a matter of doing it when the games come on. So he’ll have another opportunity Friday night to go out there and show what he can do.”
