WASHINGTON — The Washington Commanders are once again searching for a kicker, after announcing Monday that they had released Cade York. The 23-year-old kicker struggled in his first regular season game Sunday with the Commanders, missing two field goal attempts.
The team acquired York, a fourth-round draft pick, by the Browns in 2022, in a trade in late August just in time for the final preseason game against the New England Patriots. In that game, York was a perfect two for two on field goal tries and two for two on extra points.
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Head coach Dan Quinn previously said York's "really strong leg" sealed the deal for him.
“He’s a bigger size for a kicker in general, but long levers and he can really rip it," Quinn said. "He’s coming into a pretty good situation. Having Tyler [Ott] and Tress [Way] here are guys who are at the very top of their profession at what they do. If you’re a kicker, these are the guys you want to come in with."
Earlier this summer, York lost the kicking battle in Cleveland to Dustin Hopkins, who beat York out for the same job in 2023. York spent time on the Titans and Giants practice squad before suffering an injury. He didn't suit up for a game last year.
"Honestly, it sucked going through that, but I’m so thankful for it," York said. "It brought me to a very new place in my faith."
While the Commanders have not announced who will be the starting kicker Sunday against the Giants, they signed Austin Seibert, a fifth-round pick by the Cleveland Browns in 2019.