Photo by Jonathan Newton/The Washington Post via Getty Images

The Patriots signed veteran kicker Joey Slye on Thursday adding some much needed competition for kicker Chad Ryland. 

Slye, 28, has played with the Carolina Panthers (2019-20), Houston Texans (2021), San Francisco 49ers (2021) and Washington Commanders (2021-23). The 5-foot-11, 213-pounder, originally entered the NFL as a rookie free agent out of Virgina Tech with the New York Giants in 2019. 

Slye signed with the Jacksonville Jaguars last month but was released a week and a half later. 

For his career, Slye is 121-of-147 on field goals and 138-of-156 on extra points. Last season, Slye played in all 17 games and was 19-of-24 on field goals and 32-of-35 on extra points for Washington and connected on a career long and franchise record 61-yard field goal vs. Philadelphia on Oct. 29, 2023.

He has a big leg and while he can be inaccurate at times, he will be good competition for Ryland who struggled mightily in his rookie season. He connected on 16-of-25 field goals. His inconsistency was a problem especially from 40-49 yards where he went 5 of 10. Ryland made 64 percent of his kicks. 

Conversely, Slye was 7 of 9 from 40-49 yards. He connected on 79.2 percent of his kicks. Slye will have a legitimate chance to make the Patriots final roster as a result. 

Expect the competition to go through the summer. The Patriots didn’t just sign Slye as a camp kicker. A decision probably won’t be made until final cuts. Jerod Mayo and special teams coach Jeremy Springer will let things play out before making a decision.