FOXBORO, Mass. — New England Patriots kicker Stephen Gostkowski has performed 13 NFL seasons. In 2018, he was the 48th oldest participant within the league. Yet, he hit free company for the primary time in his profession this offseason.
“I had no idea what to expect,” Gostkowski mentioned Tuesday at Gillette Stadium.
After almost a month on the open market, Gostkowski elected to return to the Patriots in early April on a two-year, $8.5 million deal.
“Having a lot of time to sit back and think about what I really wanted really reassured me how much I really did want to be here,” Gostkowski mentioned. “I couldn’t have been happier that it worked out the way it did.”
Gostkowski beforehand agreed to contract extensions earlier than hitting free company in 2010 and 2015. There had been extenuating circumstances each years. He was franchise tagged previous to his extension in 2015. He was a restricted free agent previous to his extension in 2010.
“It was a weird experience,” Gostkowski mentioned. “Eight, 9 years in the past, once I don’t have youngsters and a household and roots right here, it’s a totally totally different ball recreation. Being in a position to take my time and take into consideration what I actually needed and go over the entire components, and there’s so many.
“It’s nice when other teams show interest in you and stuff like that, but at the end of the day, I’d like to try to finish where I started, and that meant a lot to me. It meant a lot to my kids and my family. And we are ecstatic to have two more shots to play for the Patriots.”
Gostkowski went into element on why “it means a lot” to nonetheless be enjoying for the franchise that drafted him in 2006.
“It’s a very fragile position, and it doesn’t take much to be at the top or the bottom in a position such as mine,” Gostkowski mentioned. “To be capable of have an opportunity to do it on probably the most high-pressure groups within the historical past of sports activities and have an opportunity to proceed doing it, I feel it could be powerful to go elsewhere. The grass may appear greener on the opposite aspect, however it’s not at all times that approach.
“I kind of like the challenge of being here — the bad weather, obviously we’ve been getting terrible weather the last couple of weeks. The pressure of big games and all of that stuff and just the opportunity to have a chance to keep playing with a lot of the friends and teammates that I’ve made. To me, that means the world, a lot more than other things that could be offered from other teams.”
If Gostkowski does wish to end his profession with the Patriots, then New England may not want a kicker for fairly some time. Gostkowski, 35, was requested if he needs to play into his 40s as kickers like Adam Vinatieri, Matt Bryant, Phil Dawson and Sebastian Janikowski have achieved lately.
“I just try to take it year-to-year, honestly,” Gostkowski mentioned. “There’s so many components that go into how lengthy I can play, and there’s not quite a lot of guys who do it of their 40s within the northeast, in order that’s form of one of many issues you have got to bear in mind. But I attempt to keep targeted on the duty at hand, and I’m actually excited to attempt to have a superb 2019 season. If I begin pondering I’m going to play for 10 extra years, after which aren’t targeted on this yr, then that’s doing a disservice to the group.
“If I could, sure, I would. That’s not like one of those crazy goals that I’m setting out there. I never thought I’d play 13 years, and I got here with that kind of attitude. So, I’m just going to keep taking it year-to-year and just try to enjoy the process and try to have fun and the ups and downs of professional football.”
Gostkowski may need a brand new holder his season if rookie punter Jake Bailey beats out Ryan Allen, who’s been with the Patriots since 2013. Bailey additionally may take over kickoff duties if he makes the group. Gostkowski mentioned Tuesday he would favor to proceed kicking off.
Thumbnail picture through Reinhold Matay/USA TODAY Sports Images