December 12, 2024   4 MIN READ

Shaken Jake?

All Pro Kicker Not Fretting Slump

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PHILADELPHIA – For the better part of seven seasons, Eagles kicker Jake Elliott has been automatic, building equity in the form of trust and benefit of the doubt.

The 29-year-old is only a season removed from a banner 2023 campaign in which he converted 93.8% of his field goal tries – including 7-of-8 from 50-plus – in addition to connecting on 45 of 46 point-after attempts.

He even earned his first All-Pro honors, as he was named to the AP second-team.

His 59-yard boot in misty rain and swirling winds at Lincoln Financial Field to send the Eagles to overtime last season against the Bills, one of his most impressive kicks under the circumstances, feels like a distant memory in a what-have-you-done-for-me-lately business.

These days, when Elliott approaches a field goal opportunity, confidence in him has wavered.

Jake Elliott getty

GETTY IMAGES: Eagles K Jake Elliott says his confidence remains sky high even after several misses from long distance.

The same crowd that not so long ago cheered him, or maybe took their eyes away momentarily out of confidence that he’d be money from any distance, now waits on pins and needles for the outcome.

For perspective, in the Eagles’ Week 10 matchup with the Commanders, Elliott made just two of four field goal opportunities, and missed an extra point for good measure.

The issues resurfaced most recently last Sunday against the Panthers, with Elliott whiffing wide right in an egregious miss in his lone attempt, a 52-yarder, during a one-possession game.

And in a late-game scenario, which would have called for a 50-plus yard attempt, head coach Nick Sirianni eschewed what was once a sure thing to instead send out the punt team.

The struggles, uncharacteristic as they might be, have now become a trend.

But that isn’t deterring Elliott as he works through his slump.

“Just keep swinging,” he said of his approach. “I know the numbers don’t look great right now … I feel pretty good about where I’m at hitting the ball. I know a couple of the long ones haven’t gone through, and I own that and I wish they all went through.

“But every kick is very different; I missed a 52-yarder in pretty windy conditions. Obviously, I wanna make all of them, but that’s not probably realistic all the time. So, unfortunately some of them haven’t gone through.”

Good or bad, Elliott isn’t one to fixate over his numbers.

When it comes to assessing the results, he never looks back or sniffs out a trend.

He just keeps swinging.

“I’m not a stats guy at all,” he said. “I never look at them through the year. Like, if you ask me what my percentage is right now, I have no idea. I really am a game-to-game, kick-by-kick person.”

“I know it’s a very black-and-white position, and it’s easy to dissect from the outside. But I hit the ball great today [in practice], I feel good about where I’m at. And I’m just gonna keep going.”

Elliott no longer kicks off – that role is now reserved for punter Braden Mann – leading some to speculate whether his lack of typical in-game involvement inhibits his ability to remain fresh and warmed up.

Elliott dismissed that opinion, acknowledging that while the outside perspective is understandable, his new role hasn’t prevented him from staying loose or in rhythm.

So, what gives?

How can Elliott’s 0-for-5 this season from 50-plus be explained?

“I think every kick is its own entity,” special teams coach Michael Clay said. “One of the kicks is from 60 yards. Your probability is not going to be great. The other one, [Browns defensive end] Myles Garrett got on the 57-yarder. Nothing with Jake. We didn’t protect well enough right there.

“The 51 we missed, obviously. Fifty-two we missed as well, and the other one was a 57-yarder. Everything breathes its own life.”

Struggles aside, the Eagles are standing by the same kicker who has historically proved clutch in high-leverage moments, choosing not to be a prisoner of the moment.

The extensive body of work means more than a snapshot in time. And if a game does ride on the leg of Elliott, don’t expect the team or player to flinch.

“It’s going to come down to a kick at some point,” Clay continued. “When you have Jake in there, you actually have a good feeling that you can put it through the uprights.”

– Andrew DiCecco (@AndrewDiCecco) is a Staff Reporter/Content Producer for InsideTheBirds.com.

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