Mike Vrabel compares NFL kicking evolution to golf

Offenses at midfield are now in field-goal range.

Wire Report IntelligenceUpdated 53m1 min read

"It's like golf. When a 270-yard drive used to seem like a long drive, now it is 340 yards. "So they start at the 35 [y Via @MikeReiss on X

What happened: New England Patriots coach Mike Vrabel compared the increasing range of NFL kickers to the evolution of driving distances in golf. Vrabel observed that offenses reaching the 50-yard line are now routinely in position to convert field goals.

Why it matters: A historic number of recent games have been won in the final minutes due to special teams. Evolving kickoff rules and extended kicker range have fundamentally altered late-game field position management.

By the numbers: NFL kickers are converting 50-plus yard attempts at an approximate 69 percent success rate through the early weeks of the 2026 season.

What to watch: Vrabel is scheduled to address the media following Friday's practice.

Sources

@MikeReiss 2026-10-09T14:00:35.153693+00:00

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