Patriots heading toward 2025 NFL offseason roster battle at very important position with a challenger yet to be named

Another offseason, another kicking competition for the New England Patriots. 

Last year, it was between Chad Ryland and Joey Slye, but in the end, Slye earned the spot on the roster. However, this year, it seems like the Patriots are moving forward with somebody different. 

ESPN's Mike Reiss mentioned in his Sunday column that Slye remains a free agent and there is "no movement toward a deal" with New England. So with that, the Patriots will be going with John Parker Romo as their lone kicker under contract for the time being. 

But, the expectation would be for the Patriots to add "competition in the coming weeks/months, according to sources familiar with their thinking," per Reiss. 

Romo entered the league in 2022, signing with the New Orleans Saints as a undrafted free agent. He then had a stint in the XFL with the San Antonio Brahmas during its 2023 season, before moving back to the NFL. He signed with the Detroit Lions, but was waived as part of final roster cuts prior to the start of the 2023 season. The Chicago Bears then signed Romo to their practice squad, but he was released in October. 

He remained a free agent until March 2024 when the Vikings signed him. He made his NFL debut with Minnesota in November, but was waived once again at the beginning of December. 

And that's where the Patriots came in, signing him to their practice squad to end the year. They then signed him to a reserve/future contract. 

Romo has appeared in just four games, so the through process is that the Patriots will add a veteran kicker to the mix. Free agency begins on Wednesday at 4 p.m. ET, but the legal tampering period kicks off on Monday.