Sean Payton said the Broncos would keep exploring kicking options, and just ahead of training camp they’re doing just that.
Denver is signing veteran kicker Brett Maher to a one-year deal, a source confirmed to The Post on Friday evening.
Maher, 33, started eight games for Payton’s New Orleans team in 2021 and spent three other years as Dallas’ primary kicker. He held that role last year and was terrific in the regular season, converting 29 of 32 field goals and 50 of 53 extra points. In the playoffs, however, Maher melted down missing 5 of 6 extra point attempts across two games, including four alone in a Wild Card round win over Tampa Bay.
The Broncos brought Maher in for a workout after releasing veteran Brandon McManus earlier this offseason. At that point, they signed Elliott Fry to a one-year deal.
The signing could spell trouble for Fry but also could simply mean Payton and the Broncos are setting up a kicking competition through training camp.
Even if training camp turns into Fry vs. Maher, that doesn’t necessarily mean either will end up holding regular duties for the Broncos this offseason.
“We had a kicking battle one year in New Orleans with two guys and man, (reporters) all charted it each day during training camp,” Payton said this offseason. “… This went on and on and it was one of those battles where, I don’t know if I was any clearer after four weeks than I was when it began. They both did good things and then had days maybe they weren’t as good. Then the final cut down takes place at 53 and I get a call from someone I know well with another staff that thinks he’s got a kicker. We bring him in on Monday, work him out, and we sign neither of the two in the kicking battle.
“So don’t pay attention to the line in front of you or the room you’re in. You’re competing with yourself to put your best product on the field because there’s 31 other teams that might be deeper in a position and that you have availability for.”
Maher in his career has kicked in 54 games and owns a career 80.6% conversion mark on field goals.
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