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3 potential kickers the Cleveland Browns could sign.
The Cleveland Browns could be in the market for a new kicker after a terrible Week 1.
The Browns suffered a 17-16 loss at home in Week 1 to the Cincinnati Bengals, in a game that kicker Andre Szmyt missed an extra point and a field goal. Those two kicks proved to be the difference in Cincinnati hanging onto a win.
After the game, Browns fans called for the team to make a move at kicker. Szmyt beat out Dustin Hopkins in training camp, but Cleveland could add a kicker in the coming days to the practice squad to compete with Szmyt.
If the Browns do sign a kicker, here are three potential options for Cleveland.
3 Kickers Browns Could Sign
Cleveland has options at kicker, including a reunion with a familiar face.
#1, Zane Gonzalez
Zane Gonzalez is a free agent and would be a wise pick-up for the Browns to compete for the kicking job.
Gonzalez was selected in the seventh round of the 2017 NFL Draft by Cleveland, and he was the Browns’ kicker for two seasons. He was released after two games with Cleveland, as he went 2-for-5 on field goals.
Since then, Gonzalez has bounced around, but last season, he showed he can be clutch. He signed with the Washington Commanders and went 5-for-7, and went 19-for-19 on extra points. Gonzalez would be a worthy option for the Browns.
#2, Eddy Piñeiro
Eddy Piñeiro entered the NFL as an undrafted free agent in 2018 and would be a worthwhile addition to the practice squad.
The 29-year-old spent the past three years with the Carolina Panthers and had a ton of success. On November 17, 2024, Piñeiro became the NFL’s all-time field goal percentage leader during the Panthers’ bye week. However, he lost the record later on in the season after he went 3-for-5.
Piñeiro went 22-for-26 on field goals last season. In his NFL career, he’s 111-for-126 with a long of 56, while being 116-for-126 on extra points. Piñeiro has the experience and is a trusted kicker who could replace Szmyt.
#3, Michael Badgley
Michael Badgley could be used as competition with Szmyt on the practice squad for a couple of weeks before Kevin Stefanski makes a decision.
Badgley has bounced around several NFL teams after going undrafted in 2018. He’s 98-for-119 in his NFL career with a long of 59 yards.
Although Badgley isn’t a household name, it does make sense for Cleveland to take a flier on him on the practice squad for a couple of weeks.
Szmyt Explains What Went Wrong in Week 1
Szmyt earned the Browns’ kicking job in training camp, but after Week 1, there are questions about his future with the team.
Following the game, Szmyt spoke to the media and said he rushed his kicks, which caused him to miss the two kicks.
“Similar to the extra point, I rushed my approach and pushed the ball. I got to do better and I expect better out of myself. Just try and forget about it and move on to next week,” Szmyt said… “Watch the film and see what went wrong. That’s kind of what it felt like. Forget about it and give myself 24 hours, analyze what happened and move on.”
Despite the dreadful performance, which cost the Browns the game, coach Kevin Stefanski said they won’t be cutting Szmyt.
“I’m not there,” Stefanski said about cutting Szmyt. “You know, like most type of things. You know, points are at premium obviously. So that’s frustrating. Andre’s had a really good camp. He’s done a nice job for us. So I’m not there.”
Szmyt and the Browns will go on the road to play the Baltimore Ravens in Week 2.