Sean Payton Suggests Broncos Aren't Done Adding Kickers

Denver Broncos head coach Sean Payton spoke out on his decision to hand-pick Elliott Fry as the team's new kicker. And based on the remarks — as well as Payton's history — Fry probably shouldn't get too comfortable atop the depth chart.

“Look, that’s not the only position we’re going to keep looking at," Payton told reporters Thursday. "One of the things that I learned early on which was interesting—and [Pro Football Hall of Fame Head Coach] Bill Parcells taught me this—when he would talk to the team, he would say, ‘Don’t pay attention to the depth chart, just in your meeting room,’ If you’re safety and you’re just looking at other strong safety—you’re competing against the other 31 teams’ safeties, as well, because one might become available. We had a kicking battle one year in New Orleans with two guys and man, [the media] all charted it each day during training camp. It was either/or. This went on and on, and it was one of those battles where I don’t know if I was any clearer after four weeks than I was when it began. They both did good things, and then had days maybe they weren’t as good. Then the final cut down takes place at 53 and I get a call from someone I know well with another staff that thinks he’s got to kicker. We bring him in on Monday, work him out, and we sign neither of the two in the kicking battle. So don’t pay attention to the line in front of you or the room you’re in. You’re competing with yourself to put your best product on the field because there’s 31 other teams that might be deeper in a position and that you have availability for. So we’ll talk about that.”

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Indeed, Payton was known to cycle through kickers during his 16 seasons with the New Orleans Saints — nine different specialists over his first 10 years, to be exact. He believes the position is interchangeable, and if the production isn't there, wholly replaceable.

Such explains the release of longtime Broncos K Brandon McManus and the subsequent signing of Fry, who's attempted only six career field goals since entering the NFL as a 2017 undrafted free agent.

Fry, 28, will have a chance to cement himself as McManus' permanent replacement but likely not without competition. In addition to Fry, Denver also worked out Brett Maher and Parker White amid last month's rookie minicamp.

Reading between the lines, another signing should be expected closer to training camp. And may the best kicker win.

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