he Dolphins have found a new kicker. Zane Gonzalez has agreed to a one-year deal with Miami, according to agent Mike McCartney. Gonzalez, 30, spent the latter half of last season kicking for the Falcons. He connected on 19-of-22 field goals and 17-of-18 extra points in nine games. Gonzalez started his pro career as a Browns seventh-round pick in 2017. He then kicked for the Cardinals for a couple of years before missing the 2022 season with a quad injury and the 2023 season with another injury. After 2021, he again appeared in a regular season game with Washington in 2024. The Dolphins released former kicker Jason Sanders earlier this month after he missed the 2025 season due to injury.
Is he an upgrade from Patterson? I mean, sure he couldn’t kick the LONG ball but he only missed 2 kicks last season.
These days, I honestly contemplate how much kickers really matter in the league. The average kicker is going to make 95% or better of extra points and field goals within 50. And if you don't have a guy with a massive leg, you just punt or adjust your strategy to get the extra yardage. The same goes for kickoffs- you don't want to kick it in the end zone anymore. I know it's a longer kick but there's got to be hundreds out there that can do it consistently.
Well it just seems that kickers are viewed anymore the same as Grier viewed offensive linemen…you don’t realize how much you need one until you NEED one.
