Former New England Patriots kicker Chad Ryland was signed to the Arizona Cardinals practice squad on Wednesday. The Cardinals announced the move through social media.
Ryland began his career with the Patriots after being drafted by the organization in 2023. He had a difficult rookie season, making 16-of-25 field goals. He managed to make 24-of-25 extra points.
The Patriots selected Ryland in the fourth round with the 112th overall pick. He was the highest-drafted kicker in the Bill Belichick era in New England. However, he didn’t last long and was officially released by the Patriots on August 27, after losing the starting kicking job to Joey Slye.
Ryland had a productive college career, as he was named to the All-Big Ten Second-Team in 2022 and was a two-time member of the All-MAC Second-Team in 2020 and 2021. He started his collegiate career as a walk-on at Eastern Michigan before transferring to Maryland.
We have made the following roster moves:
-OL Christian Jones returned to practice from IR
-DL Angelo Blackson put on practice squad IR
-Released OL Austen Pleasants from PS
-Signed K Chad Ryland to PS pic.twitter.com/iMFlWaQ8c8— Arizona Cardinals (@AZCardinals) October 2, 2024
The Patriots have found stability at the kicking position with Slye, who kicked a 63-yard field goal in Week 4 against the San Francisco 49ers.
This represents a fresh start for Ryland.
