When the Washington Commanders released longtime kicker Dustin Hopkins early in the 2021 season, they felt it was just time for a change. Washington signed Chris Blewitt to replace him, and things couldn’t have gone any worse.
The Blewitt experience didn’t last long as Washington cut him after two games, signing Joey Slye. Washington was lucky that Slye was available. He’d been with the 49ers while Robbie Gould was injured and immediately solidified the kicking position, although he’d miss a few games with a hamstring injury.
The Commanders signed Slye to a two-year contract extension in the offseason, and on Thursday, he was named NFC special teams player of the month for November.
Slye was terrific for the surging Commanders last month, drilling all 10 of his field-goal attempts, including ones from 55 and 58 yards, in the upset win over the Eagles in Week 10.
Slye made seven of his eight point-after attempts in November and scored 37 points for a team that has won six of their last seven games.
Washington punter Tress Way won the award in October. It’s the first time in franchise history that Washington has won the award in back-to-back months.
It is the first time in franchise history that two Washington players have won NFC Special Teams Player of the Month in back-to-back months in the same year.
— Washington Commanders PR (@Wash_PR) December 1, 2022
Congratulations to Slye.