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Jets Name Blake Grupe Likely Opener but Keep Kicker Search Open

The team is holding tryouts and keeping options ready as it vets reliability and reputational risks before the season begins.

Overview

  • The Jets claimed Blake Grupe off waivers and have positioned him as the probable starting placekicker for the season opener.
  • Veteran Jason Sanders was released from the active roster after preseason misses and was re-signed to the practice squad to provide depth.
  • The club worked out Justin Tucker, Michael Badgley and Joshua Karty on Wednesday as part of continued evaluations of available kickers.
  • None of the players who worked out were signed immediately, leaving the Jets' kicking job provisional and subject to change before Week 1.
  • Decision-makers are balancing on-field consistency and past performance — Grupe has a roughly 79–80% career FG rate over recent seasons while Karty showed rookie promise then regressed and Tucker carries a 10-game 2025 NFL suspension tied to misconduct allegations.