How Much Does a Second String NFL Kicker Make?

How much does a second string NFL kicker make? This is a question that is often asked by those who are interested in a career in the NFL.

The Life of an NFL Kicker

Most people only think about the NFL when they are watching the Super Bowl. What they do not see are the hours of practice and the dedication it takes to be a part of the National Football League. Players in the NFL have a short shelf life and must make the most of their opportunities. Second string NFL kickers make a little bit of money, but they also have to deal with a lot of pressure.

Training

Kickers train much like any other football player, with a few notable exceptions. Since they don’t have to worry about tackling or being tackled, kickers can focus on improving their kicking technique and building up the strength in their legs. They also spend a lot of time practicing field goals and kickoffs from different distances and angles.

Like all football players, kickers need to be in peak physical condition. They need to have strong leg muscles to generate the power needed to make a long field goal, and they also need the stamina to run down the field and make a tackles on kickoffs.

Kickers typically work with a kicking coach to improve their technique. A good kicking coach can help a kicker correct any mechanical errors in his kicking motion and teach him how to generate more power.

The Game

On any given Sunday, an NFL stadium is buzzing with excitement. The fans are cheering, the concession stands are selling, and the players are giving it their all on the field. In the middle of all of this is the kicker, who has the important job of scoring points for his team.

The game of football has changed a lot over the years, but one thing remains the same: kickers are still an important part of the game. In fact, in recent years, kickers have become even more important as teams have placed a greater emphasis on scoring points.

Today, there are 32 NFL teams, each with their own kicker. Most kickers in the NFL are considered to be “specialists” – meaning that they do not play any other position on the team. They are signed to contracts specifically for their kicking abilities.

So how much does a kicker make? It depends on a number of factors, including experience, performance, and popularity. The average salary for an NFL kicker is $2 million per year. However, some of the league’s top kickers can make upwards of $5 million per year.

Salaries of NFL Kickers

A second string NFL kicker makes an average of $854,000 dollars per year. This may seem like a lot, but when you compare it to the starting salary of $1.8 million dollars, it is clear that kickers are not as highly valued as other players in the NFL.

Rookies

The average salary for a rookie NFL kicker is $42,000 per year. However, salaries can vary depending on a number of factors, including the team’s budget, the kicker’s experience and performance, and the league’s financial status. In general, the higher the level of competition, the higher the salary will be.

Veterans

Veteran NFL kickers make a significantly higher salary than rookies. The average salary for a veteran kicker is $2.6 million, compared to $480,000 for a rookie. The highest-paid kicker in the NFL is Justin Tucker of the Baltimore Ravens, who makes $4.5 million per year.

The Aftermath

Retired placekicker, Jay Feely, wrote an article recently published in The Players’ Tribune discussing the ‘business’ side of football. In it, he talks about how the money aspect of the game works. He states that the majority of contracts are not what they appear to be on the surface.

Injuries

Injuries are always a possibility in any sport, but kickers seem to be especially susceptible. A missed field goal or extra point can change the outcome of a game, and a serious injury can end a kicker’s career.

Kickers have been known to suffer some gruesome injuries. In 2006, Buffalo Bills kicker Rian Lindell suffered a dislocated shoulder when he was hit by New England Patriots linebacker Tedy Bruschi. Lindell managed to finish the game and made his next four field goal attempts, but he was placed on injured reserve the following week and missed the rest of the season.

Dallas Cowboys kicker David Buehler sprained his ankle in a 2012 game against the New York Giants and was carted off the field. Buehler did not return to action that season and was eventually released by the team.

Sometimes, injuries can be career-ending. In 2010, Kris Brown of the Houston Texans suffered a torn ACL while making a tackle on Kicker Mike Scifres of The Chargers after Scifres had kicked an extra point. Brown was placed on injured reserve and never played another NFL game. He did, however, continue his kicking career in college and is now the head coach of The kicking program at Concordia University Chicago.

Retirement

Retirement for an NFL kicker is not as sweet as one might think. Sure, they have a nice nest egg to live off of, but their careers are relatively short compared to other positions. And, because kicking is such a mental game, many kickers find it difficult to stay involved with the sport after they retire.

For some guys, retirement is the best thing that could have happened. They get to spend more time with their families and pursue other interests. But for others, retirement is a struggle. They miss the competition and the camaraderie of being on a team. Some even suffer from depression.

It’s important to remember that every player deals with retirement in his own way. Some kickers adjust just fine, while others struggle. If you’re a fan of a kicker who has recently retired, be patient and understanding. He may just need some time to adjust to his new life away from the game.