As the Broncos wrapped up practice Tuesday, one of the most up-for-grabs position battles of training camp was on display.
Kickers Brett Maher and Elliott Fry were trading field goals, moving back at least five yards after each kick. When both players reached the 40-yard after converting four straight, Fry’s attempt sailed right, while Maher sent the ball straight down the middle.
Maher won the day, but Fry had the upper hand on Thursday. Both kickers combined to miss four field goals in a row before Fry made one from the 53-yard line.
“It’s a long competition,” said Fry, who signed with the team in May. “We’re only in Week 1, so I think we’re both just putting our heads down and trying to make kicks.”
In the spring, Denver made a surprising-yet-understandable move when it released longtime kicker Brandon McManus to clear cap space. Denver’s search for his replacement, however, has been a bit of a gamble as Fry, who has six career field goal attempts to his name, and Maher, a solid veteran tainted by a nightmarish postseason, go head to head.
Both players have traveled different paths to arrive in Denver, but none of that matters in fighting for a spot on the 53-man roster.
Fry’s career has been a journey. He has played in three games with three different teams (Atlanta, Chicago and Kansas City). His last appearance was in 2021 as a member of the Chiefs when he went 3 for 4 in a 36-10 victory over Pittsburgh. He did not play last season.
“With kickers, especially during (the coronavirus pandemic), there were a lot of times when you’re filling in for a week, and then that guy is back,” he said. “You go in and have a good game, but there’s no real path forward. That’s been my career.”
With Fry lacking NFL game experience, it was a matter of time before Denver brought in some competition. The Broncos invited veteran kicker Randy Bullock for a tryout during minicamp but decided not to sign him.
Denver eventually went with Maher, who tried out for the team in the spring, but he and the Broncos were off contract-wise at the time, according to Payton.
“I don’t know the ins and outs of that part. I tried to stay out of it,” Maher said. “I’ve got an agent that handles all that stuff.”
Maher, who’s played one season with the New Orleans Saints and three with the Dallas Cowboys, entered camp motivated. He had a strong regular season for Dallas in 2022, converting 90.6% of his field goal attempts while going 9 for 11 from 50-plus yards.
But Maher fell apart in the postseason. He missed four extra-point attempts in a Wild Card playoff win against Tampa Bay. Then, in Dallas’ loss to San Francisco in the divisional round, Maher’s lone PAT attempt was blocked.
The Cowboys decided against re-signing him in the offseason, and he sat in limbo until the Broncos picked up the phone.
“I’m learning every single year in this league (that) there is something that is going to test you,” Maher said. “That was a tough lesson to learn, especially at the moment. I’ve taken it as a way to learn and become more resilient.”
Head coach Sean Payton said the kicker competition has been “back and forth.” He also mentioned that the kicking battle has been easier to evaluate than other special teams positions.
“You can just chart it and say, ‘This is what you’re seeing,’” Payton said. “I think relative to watching those guys, it’s a little cleaner when you are watching them kick. We’ve had two good periods now. Hopefully, that continues.”
Maher has looked past his postseason struggles, and so has Payton, who’s more focused on the overall body of work. As the Broncos’ kicking competition plays out, Maher hopes to use his ability to kick from distance to his advantage. He has converted three career field goals from 60-plus yards in his four-year career.
“That’s something I can bring to the table,” Maher said. “We’re going to see how the chips fall, but I like kicking long field goals and had a bit of success doing it.”
Want more Broncos news? Sign up for the Broncos Insider to get all our NFL analysis.
