Titans spin kicker carousel again giving Michael Badgley another chance

NASHVILLE, Tenn. (AP) — The Tennessee Titans ended their experiment with a pair of undrafted kickers Tuesday and brought back veteran Michael Badgley after his release by Washington.

“Just trying to find somebody that can help us,” coach Mike Vrabel said of the decision to waive Caleb Shudak and Trey Wolff and bring in Badgley.

Wolff, a rookie from Texas Tech, made the only field goal attempted in the first two exhibitions for the Titans (1-1). Shudak played in one game in 2022 as a rookie and made three of four field goals attempted. The Titans kept Shudak when releasing Randy Bullock in February in a salary cap move.

Badgley was on the field Tuesday morning for a team scrimmage that replaced the Titans' joint practice with New England previously canceled. Badgley lasted one game with Tennessee, cut after missing one of two extra points and a 46-yard field-goal attempt in the 2021 season opener.

He was released Sunday by Washington. With the quick turnaround, Badgley went 7 of 10 at one point, missing wide right on kicks of 33, 43 and 48 yards. He connected from 49 yards to wrap up practice after a penalty flag gave him another chance.

Being the only kicker a week before the final roster cutdown helps.

But Badgley, 28, has kicked for five different NFL teams, including the Titans in his one-game appearance, since entering the NFL in 2018. He's been with the Chargers, Colts, Chicago and Detroit not counting his short stint with Washington this preseason.

He has made 81.7% of his career field-goal attempts, including 24 of 28 last season over 13 games with Chicago and Detroit. He also made all 33 extra points.

“I got to do my job," Badgley said. "You know, it doesn’t really matter who’s where or what? Just go out there and keep it simple.”

Badgley said he got a call and arrived in Nashville on Monday night. Only about 20 Titans remain from his previous very short stint, though that does include long snapper Morgan Cox.

Cox is a five-time Pro Bowl long snapper, and the holder is punter Ryan Stonehouse going into his second season with the team. Vrabel made clear his expectations for any kicker is that he “just needs to make” his kicks."

Badgley was signed to the Titans' practice squad two days before the 2021 season opener and promoted when Sam Ficken was placed on injured reserve a day later. Vrabel noted Badgley has been with them before.

“He’s got the next crack at it,” Vrabel said. “I’m sure we’ll look at other ones, too.”

Badgley's next chance in a game will be Friday night when Tennessee wraps up the preseason hosting New England (1-1).

The position of kicker has become a carousel for Tennessee after the job was held for years by the likes of Al Del Greco, Joe Nedney, Rob Bironas and Ryan Succop. Three different kickers played for the Titans last season, Bullock was one of two used in 2021 with Stephen Gostkowski among two in 2020.

This franchise's issues at that position started in 2019 after an injury to Succop. The Titans wound up having five different kickers on the roster that season.

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