It’s no secret that the Bucks have trouble finding consistent kickers. Over the past three years, the team had had 11 kickers since 2009 before Ryan Sacop took over the kicker job. Tampa Bay signed several free agents without results and invested more draft picks in two kickers, Roberto Aguayo and Matt Gay. Until I signed with Sacop in 2020.
Thakop made 84-of-99 field goal attempts during his tenure, giving the Bucks a level of consistency. In 2020, he helped Tampa Bay win Super Bowl LV, setting a franchise record for points scored in a season. But Sacop, 36 last year, struggled with kicks past 40 yards. That, along with achieving a rather hefty salary cap, ultimately led to his release from the team.
Instead of him, the Bucks brought in a former player. Colts kicker Chase McLaughlin. But the team didn’t just give him the starting job. The Bucks signed a former Colt named Rodrigo Blankenship to challenge McLaughlin for the starting spot. McLaughlin started hitting long kicks, but struggled with consistency in the short game. Blankenship’s resume was just the opposite.
Chase McLaughlin perfect preseason wins kicking duty for Bucks
Throughout the month-long training camp battle, both Chase McLaughlin and Rodrigo Blankenship had some hits and some misses. However, once the lights came on during preseason, McLaughlin rose to the occasion. He made both extra-point attempts in the opening game against Pittsburgh. McLaughlin scored the extra run against the Jets and made a field goal from 48 yards.
In the same game against the Jets, Blankenship missed two field goals before McLaughin was ejected after winning the Bucks’ kicking duel.
Bucks K. Chase McLaughlin – Photo Credit: Cliff Welch/PR
McLaughlin saved the best performance in the Bucks’ final preseason game. He made all four field goal attempts and scored two extra points, leaving little doubt about his ability to carry out his duties at Raymond James Stadium.
Among them was Bucks general manager Jason Licht, who commented on the McLaughlin case. perfect preseason About the August trial.
“It’s always a good thing,” Licht said. “It’s always better than the alternatives. Now we’re moving into the regular season where they matter. We know he’s up for it. We have a lot of faith in him.” You can see it in the way he moves.
“It’s been great, but in the regular season it’s time to put up with whatever kicker you take. Whoever you take as a kicker. A lot of good kickers have left here and done great things. I will continue.”
With just a one-year deal, McLaughlin will likely follow in Sacop’s footsteps and seek a long-term deal that will stay with the Bucks after the season ends. McLaughlin, 27, could help the Bucks for quite some time if he succeeds. But first he needs to be consistent and score kicks this season. Otherwise, he could be out like the 11 kickers in front of Sacop.
