Jets' Preseason: Sanders vs. York in Unpredictable Kicker Battle

Jets kickers Jason Sanders and Cade York hanging out and talking in between drills at practice today. Even though they are competing for the same job, they seem to have a good relationship. The runner-up in this competition will likely kick somewhere else in the league this… pic.twitter.com/Nkqo3aV3Gv

— Dan Leberfeld (@jetswhispers) August 18, 2026

The Jets have bigger roster battles than kicker, but few competitions on the roster have been as unpredictable as Jason Sanders versus Cade York. With the preseason winding down, neither veteran has completely slammed the door on the other. Instead, the competition has swung back and forth throughout training camp, leaving the Jets with a decision that may come down to consistency, range and which kicker the coaching staff trusts most when the games start counting. Right now, Sanders may have the slightest edge. But this thing is far from over.

Sanders entered camp with the résumé.

When the Jets brought in Sanders this offseason, there was an obvious reason to believe he could eventually become the favorite. Sanders has substantially more NFL experience than York and has already demonstrated that he can be one of the league’s better kickers. In 2024, Sanders converted 37 of 41 field-goal attempts — 90.2 percent — including 12 of 14 attempts from at least 50 yards. He also made 26 of 28 extra points. That type of season matters when a team is deciding which kicker it wants standing on the sideline with a game potentially riding on one swing of the leg. There was still a major question surrounding Sanders, however: health and consistency. He missed the 2025 season with a hip injury before eventually landing with the Jets, and his road back has not always been smooth. Early offseason work included some misses, and throughout Jets camp Sanders has alternated between stretches where he looks like the accomplished veteran on his résumé and others where the door has opened for York.

York refused to let Sanders run away with it.

York’s NFL career has been less stable. The former LSU kicker entered the league with Cleveland in 2022 and has bounced around since then. His leg strength has never really been the question. Consistency has. That is part of what has made this Jets battle interesting. During New York’s second training-camp practice, York reportedly made every attempt inside 50 yards while Sanders missed from 47. A few practices later, Sanders responded in a big way by going 8-for-8 on kicks ranging from 32 to 60 yards while York finished 7-for-8. ESPN Jets reporter Rich Cimini described the competition at that point as “neck and neck.” Then it flipped again. During another practice, Sanders hit only two of five attempts while York connected on three of four. York also appeared more consistent during a joint practice with Tampa Bay, although he missed a 61-yard attempt. For a while, it looked like York might actually be taking control of the competition. Then Sanders answered again.

Sanders has made his late push.

The preseason games have started to provide the kind of pressure situations coaches cannot completely recreate on the practice field. In the Jets’ preseason opener, Sanders connected from 47 yards and made his extra-point attempt. York made his official attempts as well, although one 38-yard field goal reportedly appeared to drift wide despite being ruled good. Sanders then followed that performance with another strong practice, making seven of eight attempts while York went five of eight. York’s misses came from 48, 51 and 54 yards. That was enough for Sanders to begin regaining momentum. Friday night against Pittsburgh gave both kickers another opportunity. Sanders converted a 39-yard field goal during the Jets’ 17-0 win. York, meanwhile, was given the much tougher assignment of attempting a 59-yarder before halftime and missed. It would be unfair to treat those two attempts as equal. A 39-yard field goal is one an NFL kicker is expected to make. A 59-yard attempt tests the outer limits of many kickers’ comfortable range. Still, roster competitions are often decided by accumulated moments rather than one direct comparison. And Sanders keeps stacking successful kicks at an important time.

York's biggest weapon could still keep him in the fight.

If Sanders owns the advantage in experience and proven NFL consistency, York might have the more intriguing leg. Jets coach Aaron Glenn recently joked about York launching a kick so far during practice that it cleared the field net and potentially traveled toward the parking area. That kind of power matters. NFL teams increasingly expect kickers to threaten from well beyond 50 yards. A kicker capable of realistically attempting a 58- or 60-yarder changes late-half and late-game strategy. Instead of needing another first down, an offense may only need another five yards. That could be York’s strongest argument. But range only becomes valuable if the Jets trust him to consistently make the shorter kicks. That has been the issue throughout York’s NFL career. According to Sports Illustrated’s Jets coverage, York has converted 23 of 35 career attempts beyond 30 yards and 11 of 15 attempts between 30 and 39 yards. Sanders, by comparison, owns an 84.6 percent career field-goal rate and has already shown he can handle high-volume NFL kicking duties. That experience could ultimately break the tie.

What Aaron Glenn and the Jets actually have to decide.

This competition is not simply about who makes the longest kick during practice. The Jets have to decide which kicker they trust on a cold Sunday afternoon with 10 seconds remaining and the game tied. That means evaluating several things at once: Consistency from inside 40 yards. Reliability on extra points. Range beyond 50. Kick trajectory and operation time. Performance under pressure. And perhaps most importantly, whether either kicker can avoid the type of prolonged slump that forces a team to start searching the waiver wire in October. Sanders represents the safer résumé. York represents the possibility that the Jets can unlock a younger kicker with legitimate range. At various points during camp, each player has looked capable of winning the job. That is why the final preseason stretch matters so much.

Where the battle stands now.

If the Jets had to make the decision today, Sanders would be the safer choice. His recent practice numbers have improved, he made his opportunity against Pittsburgh, and his previous NFL production gives the coaching staff evidence that he can handle pressure over an entire season. But calling the competition finished would be premature. York has already shown enough during camp to erase Sanders’ early presumed advantage, and his leg strength gives the Jets something worth considering. One big practice could swing the conversation again. One long field goal in the final preseason game could do the same. For a Jets roster with battles happening throughout the depth chart, kicker might ultimately come down to one of the smallest margins on the team. Right now, Jason Sanders appears to have his nose in front. Cade York is still close enough to change that with one swing of his leg.