K Nick Folk Talks About His Choice To Re-Sign With The Titans.
Nick Folk was traded to the Titans last summer after spending four years with the Patriots. The 39-year-old kicker was forced to relocate after that, but he had a successful first season in Nashville.
In 2023, Folk made all but one of his thirty field goals, and his 96.7% success rate was the highest in the NFL. In addition, he converted 28 of 30 extra point attempts, demonstrating that in spite of his advanced age, he is still able to put on strong performances. Tennessee decided to keep him after all of that in March by offering him a one-year contract with a guaranteed $3.5 million.
Regarding his choice to re-sign, the former sixth-round pick remarked, “For me, it’s always been a patient game” (via team writer Jim Wyatt). “I have a basic understanding of both the game and its business aspects. I knew I wanted to play, so I was patient with it. At the end of the season, I told [general manager] Ran [Carthon] that I wanted to remain playing because I enjoyed it here. I’m happy to be back because I wanted to.
Considering his strong play in 2023, Folk likely could have found a number of outside suitors if he preferred to test the market. Instead, his decision to remain in Tennessee should give the team another campaign of stable production at the position – something the Patriots did not enjoy in the field goal department from Chad Ryland, who was drafted to replace Folk.
The latter had struggled with kickoffs during much of his New England tenure, although his touchback percentage (50.8%) and average depth (62.3 yards) on kickoffs from 2023 outpaced his career averages. Entering his 17th NFL campaign, Folk faces understandable questions about his playing future. Another productive season with the Titans – a team which included kicker Brayden Narveson in its UDFA class – would certainly help his chances of landing another opportunity in 2025 if he pursued one, though.
Folk’s accuracy has been consistent aside from his extended range on kicks that are longer than fifty yards, which may be reason for concern. His record of 78 straight field goals made inside 40 yards is the longest in NFL history. As long as he maintains his consistency up close, the Titans should have a solid kicking game in 2024.
