The Cincinnati Bengals released veteran kicker Mike Nugent on Tuesday.
Veteran Kicker Mike Nugent Released By Bengals
Nugent struggles with misses prompted the decision. He was 23-of-29 from field goals while kicking a mere 79 percent in PAT attempts. His extra point percentage is the second worst in the league only behind another recently cut kicker Blair Walsh (66.7 percent).
The Bengals, who are historically known for not making many in season moves, finally decided to depart from the Ohio native who was signed in 2010.
The 34-year-old veteran had been inconsistent all season.
The team brought in kickers back in November after Nugent missed a field goal and extra point in a game that ended in a tie against the Washington Redskins. The Bengals ended up sticking with Nugent after he responded with a 4-for-4 performance against the New York Giants. However, after missing his sixth extra point on the year the team was forced to officially make the change.
“Mike is a tremendous teammate and has been an integral part of the Bengals for seven seasons,” said Bengals head coach Marvin Lewis in statement prepared by the team.
During Nugent’s six-year stint with his homegrown team, he saw success. In 2011, he scored 132 points and had 33 field goals, both franchise records. In 2014, he hit the second longest field in postseason history after knocking down a 57-yarder in a Wild Card game against the Indianapolis Colts.
The Bengals signed recently waived journeyman kicker Randy Bullock from the Pittsburgh Steelers. The Steelers signed Bullock after starter Chris Boswell went down with an abdomen injury. In Boswell’s absence, Bullock went 3-of-3 for field goals while hitting his only PAT in a 24-14 win over the Giants.
Bullock will get his first start for his new team this weekend away in a divisional match against the Steelers.
