The Denver Broncos are bringing in competition in the kicking game just as training camp is set to begin. With Elliott Fry already on the roster, the Broncos are bringing in veteran kicker Brett Maher on a one-year deal, as first reported by Aaron Wilson.
While there will be plenty of competition at various positions during camp, the kicking game will be one of the most important ones to watch ahead of the season. For Sean Payton, the kicking game for the Broncos this season will be crucial at altitude.
Maher possesses a big leg and brings extensive experience to the table. From 50+ yards, Maher is a career 19 of 27, including going 9 for 11 last season.
He’s appeared in 54 career games total throughout his career, spending three years with the Dallas Cowboys and one season with the New Orleans Saints in 2021 with Payton.
During his stint with the Saints in 2021, Maher went 16 of 18 that season. In his most recent season with the Cowboys, he was 29 of 32 during the regular season and 50 of 53 on extra points. The recent story surrounding Maher comes from the national spotlight of his struggles with extra points in the postseason, where he went 1 of 6.
Despite his recent struggles in that department, Maher is a capable kicker who will push the envelope during training camp and the preseason.
During mandatory minicamp, the Broncos brought in veteran kicker Randy Bullock on a tryout basis, but the team didn’t sign him to the roster. New special teams coordinator Ben Kotwica called the kicking personnel a work in progress.
“That’s what’s kind of cool about that spot,” Kotwica said during minicamp. “Some positions can be ambiguous. Maybe it’s a receiver position or the offensive line, especially given the parameters that we have. That job is pretty straight forward. The ball either goes through or it doesn’t. What was really cool today was to see both guys rise up. We hit a handful of kicks, and all of them were made. [K] Elliott [Fry] made all his, and [K] Randy [Bullock] made all his. We’ll see how it shakes out. Again, it’s a work in progress, but I’m excited about that opportunity for those guys.”
With Bullock out, Maher comes in having plenty of experience. With three preseason games scheduled, there is a chance the kicking competition plays out leading up to roster cuts after the third and final preseason game.
The Denver Broncos will be on the field for the official start of camp on July 28 at 10:00 a.m. at the Centura Health Training Center.