Report: Patriots put in a claim for Colts’ new kicker Chase McLaughlin

The search for a kicker continues in Foxborough.

After releasing Kai Forbath, New England’s fourth kicker this season, they’re back to square one. Some hope arose when the San Francisco 49ers released Chase McLaughlin, who took over for the injured Robbie Gould. McLaughlin made all of his eight point after attempts and he was 7-for-8 on field goal attempts.

The Patriots haven’t seemed to be in a rush for a kicker this week, and it’s possible that they were waiting for McLaughlin. But, the Indinapolis Colts had priority and quickly picked up him before the Patriots could. Veteran Adam Vinatieri has struggled with the Colts all season, and they needed some assurance at the position.

New England did indeed put a claim in for McLaughlin, along with the Buffalo Bills, but the Colts came out on top.

Though the #Colts successfully claimed kicker Chase McLaughlin, the #Bills and #Patriots also put in claims, source said. Indy had priority, but this does explain why NE hadn’t signed a kicker today.

— Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) December 5, 2019

The Patriots will either bring back Nick Folk after he is cleared to play, or they’ll continue the search for kickers off of the waivers.