Carolina Panthers sign kicker Joey Slye to a one year contract extension

The Carolina Panthers have signed kicker Joey Slye to a one year contract extension.

Slye was a camp leg signed by the Panthers last summer who unexpectedly won the job after a plant leg injury placed incumbent kicker Graham Gano on injured reserve. He had a respectable rookie season and a booming leg for kickoffs. Slye came to be known for being unreliable at times on shorter kicks but being a dependable, and oft-used, kickers at distances of greater than 40 and even 50 yards.

He ended the season having made 25/32 (78%) of his field goal attempts, including 16/22 (72%) from 40 yards or more. He was also a disappointing 31/35 on extra points, but he improved down the stretch. Slye didn’t miss an extra point after Week 12.

This likely signals the end of Gano in the Carolinas. He spent seven of his ten years in the NFL wearing a Panthers uniform and will always be remembered as part of the Panthers 2015 Super Bowl squad. Releasing him this year will only save the team about $1.5M against the salary cap.