Browns want Mclaughlin as ‘kicker for entire year’
Browns special teams coordinator Mike Priefer doesn’t view kicker Chase Mclaughlin as a likely candidate to become another Austin Seibert.
Last year, Seibert struggled in training camp, then missed a 41-yard field goal and an extra point in a seasonopening 38-6 loss to the Baltimore Ravens. The next day, the Browns cut Seibert and promoted Cody Parkey from the practice squad.
“I don’t think [we’ll make a kicking change after Week 1 this year],” Priefer said.
“We expect Chase to be very successful. Last year, [Seibert] had a very poor camp, so Week 1 was kind of the final straw type thing. I think Chase has had a good camp. I hope we’re not going to pull the trigger [after the opener]. I hope he goes out and kicks well and he’s our kicker for the entire year.”
After the switch last September, Parkey served as the Browns’ kicker for the rest of the season and made all 11 of his attempts (three field goals and eight extra points) in their two playoff games.
Mclaughlin competed with Parkey in training camp until the latter suffered a quadriceps injury Aug. 22 in the second preseason game against the New York Giants. The Browns placed Parkey on injured reserve and later waived him with an injury settlement.
On Monday, coach Kevin Stefanski said Mclaughlin will “for sure” kick in the season opener against the Kansas City Chiefs.
The Browns will become the sixth NFL team for whom Mclaughlin has kicked. He has made 22-of-28 field goals and 31-of-32 extra points in his career.
“He’s not had a great camp. He’s had a good camp,” Priefer said. “I think he’s a solid, young kicker that’s bounced around the league a little bit as kind of a fill-in for guys when they were hurt. Now he’s had his opportunity.”