Chad Ryland reportedly will not make the New England Patriots' initial 53-man roster less than two seasons after he was selected in the fourth round of the 2023 NFL Draft.
It marks yet another failed pick for Bill Belichick, the Patriots former head honcho who part ways with the team this offseason. Ryland was the highest-drafted kicker of the Belichick era (No. 112). It was a bad pick from the jump.
Imagine if the Patriots selected someone like Los Angeles Rams wideout Puka Nuka (No. 177) instead?
The release of Ryland, as first reported by ESPN's Adam Schefter, means veteran Joey Slye won New England's kicker competition.