Jets waive Cade York in a close kicking competition, giving the job to Jason Sanders

FLORHAM PARK, N.J. (AP) — The New York Jets released kicker Cade York after a keen competition against Jason Sanders before the team's final practice of training camp on Tuesday. York was signed in March as a possible Nick Folk replacement, but Jets special teams coordinator Chris Banjo revealed Sanders, a veteran of the Miami Dolphins, clinched the position.

"We're moving beyond Cade," Banjo stated. "He performed excellently throughout training camp, evaluations, and games. Yet, we feel incredibly confident in Jason and his background within our division, particularly his kicking experience." Sanders joined the Jets via waivers from the Giants in June, battling York throughout camp.

The duo had contrasting performances throughout the summer, including Sanders missing three field goals and York missing two during a Monday practice session. Sanders was flawless in two preseason games, making both extra points, while York was successful on two out of three field goals and two extra points. The Jets, who also included Younghoe Koo and Will Ferrin in their preseason lineup, opted for Sanders as their kicker heading into the final preseason matchup against the Giants on Friday night.

It's plausible that New York could investigate the transactions wire after the final cuts are made on Sunday, but Banjo confirmed Sanders will serve as the team's kicker moving forward. The 25-year-old York, a fourth-round pick of Cleveland in 2022, has shown inconsistency throughout his career with the Browns, Titans, Giants, Cleveland again, Washington, Cincinnati, and New Orleans.

His career field goals and extra points are 33 of 45 and 51 of 54, respectively. In contrast, the 30-year-old Sanders proved remarkably consistent during his eight-year tenure with Miami, after beginning as a seventh-round pick out of New Mexico in 2018. Sanders was named an All-Pro in 2020, tying Koo and Daniel Carlson for the most points in the league.

Sanders missed the entirety of last season due to a hip injury and was waived by the Dolphins in March. The Giants extended an invitation for him to compete for the kicker position in the offseason, but waived him in June. Sanders boasts an impressive accuracy rate of 187 of 221 on field goals (84.6%) and 259 of 268 on extra points throughout his career.