Carolina Panthers place kicker Ryan Fitzgerald kicks during Fanfest at Bank of America Stadium. Jim Dedmon-Imagn Images

Carolina Panthers may have kicker issues heading into the preseason

Originally posted on Carolina Panthers on SI
By Tyler Reed | Last updated Aug 3, 2025 2:00 PM ET

The Carolina Panthers may have finished just 5-12 this past season, but that was an upgrade considering the team's abysmal 2023 season.

Second-year head coach Dave Canales will be looking to build off the somewhat successful 2024 season, but will need to see some upgrades at certain positions.

A position that is often overlooked but is just as important as any other spot on the roster is the kicking position.

Currently, the Panthers have two kickers on the roster in veteran Matthew Wright and rookie Ryan Fitzgerald.

Fitzgerald was nearly perfect during his five seasons with the Florida State Seminoles. However, the rookie kicker has struggled during the Panthers' training camp.

Not the best night for Ryan Fitzgerald. One of three on field goals, with a miss from 48 and another from 40something.
— Joe Person (@josephperson) August 3, 2025

On Saturday, Fitzgerald struggled during practice, only making one of three field goals, with the two misses coming from 40 or longer.

Having a trustworthy kicker is important for any team. But it's even more important for a team that is hoping to be on the rise this upcoming season.

It happens every season, to every team. Games are decided by one kick. However, if the Panthers don't have someone they can trust in those situations, it could end up putting more pressure on quarterback Bryce Young and the offense. If that's the case, this could spell disaster for the chances of the team having a strong performance in 2025.

This article first appeared on Carolina Panthers on SI and was syndicated with permission.

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