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ENGLEWOOD, Colo.
Denver’s kickers embrace competition
Elliott Fry and Brett Maher are locked in a battle for the Broncos’ kicking job. While they remain focused on their individual processes, both kickers are aware of each other’s performance during the early stages of training camp.
“It’s not like I’m hiding from it,” Fry admitted. “We both know what we’re doing. You’re not focused on what he’s doing. You’re focused on what you’re doing. But absolutely, he goes in and [attempts] one, I know if he makes or misses. I think that’s vice versa.”
Close Battle with Minimal Missed Kicks
Tracking the kickers’ performance in training camp hasn’t been difficult. According to Head Coach Sean Payton, there has only been one missed kick through the first three field-goal periods.
“Back-and-forth,” Payton evaluated the competition. “Today, I think, was our third field goal session. [It was] the first time we missed one. They’re doing good.”
Different Paths to the Same Goal
The Broncos have two kickers, Fry and Maher, with distinct journeys competing for the same job. Fry, signed by the team after the release of Brandon McManus, has had brief stints with nearly a dozen teams but only appeared in three regular-season games.
“I’m really confident in what I’m doing,” Fry expressed. “I think we’re both kicking really well. I think a lot of kickers, especially during COVID, experienced situations where they fill in for a week, and then the regular kicker returns. I’ve kicked behind a few Pro Bowlers. You go in and have a good game, but there’s no real path forward, I guess. That’s been my career, but I’m excited to be here right now and I’m excited to compete.”
Fry acknowledges the challenging nature of breaking into the NFL, particularly without being drafted.
“I’ve got a little uphill battle, but I’ve always been confident in what I do,” Fry shared. “That’s kind of pushed me. It sounds kind of dumb, but if you keep getting calls, I’m not going to say no.”
