Nick Folk Returns to Jets, Nails Perfect Practice and Secures Kicking Role

Jets Find Their Kicking Solution with a Familiar Face: Nick Folk Returns and Dominates Training Camp

For the New York Jets, kicking woes have been an ongoing saga for a while now. Missed extra points, inconsistent field goals, and shaky performances in clutch situations—yeah, Jets fans have seen it all. But this week, something changed. Something big. Something veteran. Enter Nick Folk.

You read that right. Folk, the same guy who wore green and white from 2010 to 2016, is back in town and kicking like he never left. In a move that raised a few eyebrows but now makes total sense, the Jets signed the 40-year-old kicker earlier this week, and boy, did he make an immediate impact.

💥 A Flawless First Impression

Thursday marked Folk’s first official training camp session since rejoining the Jets, and he wasted no time proving why GM Darren Mougey pulled the trigger on this signing. Reports from multiple beat writers and team insiders confirmed that Folk went a perfect 6-for-6 on field goal attempts during team drills.

And no, these weren’t all chip shots either. Two of those successful kicks came from over 50 yards out, showcasing that the veteran still has the leg strength to compete with the young guns. Let’s be honest—when you're knocking in bombs from that distance at age 40, that’s not just good; that's elite.

👀 Say Goodbye to the Competition?

Before Folk arrived, the Jets had an open competition at kicker between rookie Caden Davis and second-year player Harrison Mevis. Unfortunately for them—and fortunately for Jets fans—neither had inspired much confidence during camp.

Let’s not sugarcoat it: both Davis and Mevis looked shaky. The inconsistency, especially in a league where games often come down to one or two kicks, pushed the Jets’ front office to make a move. Folk’s arrival made it clear the team was no longer in the mood for guessing games.

By the end of the week, Davis had been waived to make space on the roster. Mevis? He’s still technically on the team, but let’s be real—this competition is all but over.

🎯 Consistency You Can Count On

So what makes Folk such a no-brainer move at this stage of his career?

For starters, let’s take a look at his recent performance. Over the past two seasons with the Tennessee Titans, Folk led the NFL in field goal percentage—clocking in at 96.7% in 2023 and 95.5% in 2024. That’s not just good; that’s automatic. In a league where kickers get rotated like fantasy benchwarmers, Folk was the guy you could trust when the pressure was on.

Chris Banjo, the Jets’ special teams coordinator, must be breathing a massive sigh of relief. With Folk handling field goals, it’s one less thing to stress about heading into the preseason grind.

🧠 Veteran Leadership On and Off the Field

But it’s not just about nailing field goals. Folk brings more than just stats—he brings leadership, composure, and experience. Having been through just about every kind of pressure-cooker situation you can imagine—from playoff games to overtime nail-biters—Folk’s presence in the locker room is a huge win for a young and hungry Jets roster.

Let’s not forget, this is a team with playoff aspirations. They’ve beefed up the defense, brought in reinforcements on offense, and are hoping their young quarterback takes the next big leap. Every single point is going to matter this season, and with Folk in the mix, the margin for error just got a whole lot smaller.

🏡 Back Where It All Started

It’s also a bit of a homecoming for Folk, who spent seven solid years with the Jets between 2010 and 2016. Back then, he became a fan favorite for his reliability and clutch gene. Now, nearly a decade later, he’s getting a second shot in familiar territory—only this time with a much more complete resume and a wealth of experience under his belt.

“I’ve always loved playing here,” Folk reportedly told team insiders after his first practice. “There’s something about the energy in New York, and to get a chance to wear this uniform again and help this team—it means a lot.”

🧊 Ice in His Veins

Don’t sleep on the psychological advantage of having a guy like Folk either. Kickers, more than most positions, deal with immense mental pressure. One miss can wreck a season, especially in the clutch. Folk has been through it all and stayed ice cold when it mattered most.

He doesn’t just hit from deep—he hits when the game’s on the line, when the clock is running out, and when everyone in the stadium is holding their breath.

🚨 What This Means for the Jets Moving Forward

The Jets are in a critical year. There’s talent on both sides of the ball, but everything needs to click. The margin between 8-9 and 11-6 could easily come down to three or four kicks. That’s why this signing isn’t just about today’s practice or this week’s headlines. It’s about setting the tone for the season.

With Folk, they’ve got someone who can deliver that steady, professional presence—and that kind of reliability at kicker might just be the hidden x-factor in a playoff push.

📝 Final Thoughts

At the end of the day, adding Nick Folk wasn’t about nostalgia—it was about business. The Jets needed a proven, clutch kicker who could handle the pressure and deliver results. In his very first practice, Folk showed that not only is he still got it—he might be the exact piece this team needed all along.

Let’s call it what it is: the kicking game is no longer a question mark in New York. It’s a strength. And in a season that’s shaping up to be make-or-break, that could be the quiet advantage that makes all the difference.