New York Jets are kicking themselves if they sign Cody Parkey

The New York Jets’ placekicker carousel has been a significant concern throughout training camp and the preseason. The recent workout of Cody Parkey isn’t the answer.

As the NFL’s 100th regular season kicks off in less than a week and the New York Jets are still concerned with their own kicking game. The position was believed to be in safe hands with veteran Chandler Catanzaro before his disastrous preseason opener against the New York Giants affected his confidence and eventually led him to early retirement.

The default kicker quickly became Taylor Bertolet who was hoping to get time as a preseason back up for his audition with other teams. Bertolet has had his issues with accuracy throughout the exhibition season only hit five of eight field goals and two of four extra points. The preseason finale against the Philadelphia Eagles didn’t help his case for the job either as he missed three field goals at home.

The Jets have decided to workout multiple kickers over the weekend in a group that included former Chicago Bears kicker Cody Parkey. Parkey is pretty well remembered for being cut from the team shortly after he missed a game-winning field goal in the playoffs at home against the Eagles. The infamous blunder had fans in Chicago calling for his head especially since he had issues throughout the regular season in 2018.

The reason for him not currently remaining a member of the Bears was due in large part to his shocking appearance on the TODAY show talking about the failure.

"“I feel worse than anybody about missing that kick because I wanted to make it more than anybody,” Parkey said, “But at the end of the day, I’m just going to hold my head high and when things aren’t going my way I’m just going to continue to think positive and keep swinging.”"

The situation seemed very odd and caught the organization off guard as Parkey began marketing himself off the event. The missed opportunity went from being a team loss to only being about the veteran kicker almost as if he were setting up for another career.

Parkey has a history with Jets coach Adam Gase going back to their days with the Miami Dolphins so that he will be given strong consideration. It appears a move to New York City will only enhance the possibility of more public appearances and a distraction after every missed field goal or extra point.

The Jets are in dire need for an upgrade at the position but need to consider if it’s worth the public relations flack signing Parkey this season.