Joey Slye Bio
Joseph David Slye (born April 10, 1996) is an American professional football placekicker for the Tennessee Titans of the National Football League (NFL). Standing 5 ft 10 in and listed at 213 lb, Slye has built a steady career as a journeyman kicker after entering the league as an undrafted free agent in 2019. He holds the franchise record for the longest field goal with both the Washington Commanders and the New England Patriots, marks of 61 and 63 yards respectively. Across his NFL career, he has also spent time with the New York Giants, Carolina Panthers, Houston Texans, San Francisco 49ers, Jacksonville Jaguars, and Patriots.
Early Life and Background
Joseph David Slye was born on April 10, 1996, in Albuquerque, New Mexico, but grew up in Stafford, Virginia. He attended North Stafford High School, where he played high school football for the Wolverines. At North Stafford, Slye was named all-state as both a kicker and a linebacker, an unusual combination that hinted at the toughness behind his kicking game. That dual-threat background helped shape his identity as a competitive and physical kicker when he reached the next level.
Coming out of high school, Slye chose to attend Virginia Tech, where he spent four seasons developing his game. Rather than accept a scholarship offer from James Madison, he opted to join the Hokies as a walk-on. The decision to bet on himself as a walk-on became a recurring theme in his career path.
Path to the NFL
Slye played four seasons for the Virginia Tech Hokies from 2014 through 2017, becoming one of the most accurate kickers in program history. In college, he converted 78 of 108 field goal attempts, a 72.2 percent success rate, and was nearly automatic on extra points, making 169 of 172 tries for a 98.3 percent rate. His 2016 season earned him Third-team All-ACC recognition, a strong endorsement of his performance in a competitive conference.
After his senior year, Slye entered the 2018 NFL draft but went unselected. He participated in a tryout for the Tampa Bay Buccaneers and drew interest from the Cleveland Browns, though neither team signed him. He then returned to Virginia Tech for his final year of eligibility in 2018, using the extra time to sharpen his mechanics and his leg strength in preparation for a second shot at the NFL.
Joey Slye Career
Early Career (2019–2020)
Slye signed with the New York Giants on May 6, 2019, but was released eight days later. He was re-signed by the Giants on July 24, but was waived three days after that. Shortly afterward, on August 1, 2019, he signed with the Carolina Panthers. Although originally brought in to serve as a camp leg, Slye impressed by hitting seven of eight preseason field goals, including three from beyond 50 yards, and was named the Panthers’ kicker for the 2019 season after Graham Gano went on injured reserve.
As a rookie, Slye made his NFL debut on September 8, 2019, against the Los Angeles Rams, missing his first attempt from 53 yards but connecting from 46 and 52 yards while making all three extra points. He was named NFC Special Teams Player of the Week for Week 4 after going 3-for-3, including a 55-yarder against the Houston Texans. He finished his rookie year 25-for-32 on field goals and 31-for-35 on extra points, then signed a one-year extension on February 6, 2020. In 2020, he set a career high with five made field goals against the Los Angeles Chargers, but also missed late attempts against the New Orleans Saints (65 yards), Kansas City Chiefs (67 yards), and Minnesota Vikings (54 yards). He converted 29 of 36 field goals and 33 of 36 extra points that season, then signed another one-year extension on January 5, 2021, before being released on August 28, 2021.
Journeyman Years (2021)
On September 7, 2021, Slye signed to the practice squad of the Houston Texans, then was elevated to the active roster four days later after an injury to starting kicker Kaʻimi Fairbairn. In three games with Houston, he hit 4 of 5 field goals and 7 of 8 extra points before being waived on September 30, 2021. On October 5, 2021, he was signed by the San Francisco 49ers after an injury to Robbie Gould, but was waived on November 2 once Gould returned.
Washington Commanders Era (2021–2023)
Slye signed with the Washington Football Team on November 9, 2021, and suffered a hamstring injury during Week 12 against the Seattle Seahawks after a blocked extra point, which sent him to injured reserve. He was activated on December 25, 2021. Across his stops with the Texans, 49ers, and Washington that year, he converted 23 of 25 field goals and 18 of 22 extra points. The team placed a restricted free agent tender on him in March 2022, and he agreed to a two-year contract worth around $5 million on April 11, 2022.
In 2022, Slye played a key role in Washington’s 32–21 upset of the undefeated Philadelphia Eagles in Week 10, hitting all four field goal attempts, including a then-career-long 58-yarder and another from 55 yards, earning NFC Special Teams Player of the Week honors. At the end of November 2022, he was named NFC Special Teams Player of the Month after scoring 37 points, going 7-for-8 on extra points and 10-for-10 on field goals. He finished the 2022 season 25-for-30 on field goals and 24-for-28 on extra points.
In Week 8 of the 2023 season, Slye set a Commanders franchise record for the longest field goal with a 61-yarder. He finished 2023 converting 19 of 24 field goals and 32 of 35 extra points.
New England Patriots Era (2024)
On March 18, 2024, Slye signed a one-year deal with the Jacksonville Jaguars, but was released on April 30, 2024, after the team selected Cam Little in the NFL draft. Two days later, on May 2, 2024, he signed a one-year deal with the New England Patriots. During the preseason, he beat out incumbent kicker Chad Ryland, who was released at the final roster cutdown. In Week 4 of 2024, Slye set a Patriots franchise record for the longest field goal at 63 yards, also establishing a new career high. He finished 2024 with 26 field goals on 33 attempts and 25 of 26 extra points.
Tennessee Titans Era (2025–Present)
On March 24, 2025, Slye signed with the Tennessee Titans. In Week 5, he kicked a game-winning 29-yard field goal in a comeback 22–21 victory over the Arizona Cardinals, the first game-winning field goal of his career. He finished the 2025 season converting 28 of 35 field goal attempts and 26 of 27 extra point attempts. On March 13, 2026, Slye re-signed with the Titans on a one-year, $2 million contract.
Driving Style and Strengths
Slye is best known for his powerful leg, capable of making field goals from well beyond 50 yards. He has produced game-winning kicks and NFC Special Teams Player of the Week honors, and his accuracy from mid-range has been a strength throughout his career. His durability and willingness to compete in camp battles have made him a reliable short-term answer for multiple franchises.
Notable Events and Milestones
Slye holds the franchise record for the longest field goal with both the Washington Commanders (61 yards) and the New England Patriots (63 yards), and was named NFC Special Teams Player of the Week in 2019 and 2022. He also attempted a 65-yarder against the New Orleans Saints in 2020 that came up just short of the NFL record.
Joey Slye Career Stats
As of the 2025 NFL season, Joey Slye has connected on 175 of 215 field goal attempts (81.4%) and 189 of 209 extra point attempts (90.4%) across his NFL career. He has scored 714 total points and registered 361 touchbacks on kickoffs. His career long field goal stands at 63 yards, set in 2024 with the Patriots.
Joey Slye Family
Family Background and Racing Lineage
Public information about Joey Slye’s family background is limited. He was born in Albuquerque, New Mexico, and raised in Stafford, Virginia, where he developed his early love for football. Beyond his upbringing, further family details have not been widely published.
Personal Life
Slye keeps his personal life largely private. He attended North Stafford High School in Stafford, Virginia, before moving on to Virginia Tech, where he spent five years total developing as a kicker. He is known for his work ethic and resilience, having overcome multiple camp battles and roster moves to maintain a long NFL career.
2025 Season Performance
Slye signed with the Tennessee Titans on March 24, 2025, and quickly established himself as the team’s primary kicker. His defining moment came in Week 5 against the Arizona Cardinals, when he hit a game-winning 29-yard field goal to cap a 22–21 comeback victory, the first game-winning kick of his NFL career. The performance was a major confidence boost and helped cement his role with the Titans.
For the 2025 season, Slye converted 28 of 35 field goal attempts and 26 of 27 extra point attempts, finishing with 110 total points. His accuracy from inside 40 yards remained strong, and he was reliable in late-game situations for Tennessee.
Looking ahead, Slye re-signed with the Titans on March 13, 2026, on a one-year, $2 million contract, signaling continued confidence in his role. With the kicker position locked in, the focus turns to maintaining accuracy and delivering in pressure moments as Tennessee builds its program.
