Patriots Host Kicker Tryout Ahead of Training Camp

Patriots Host Kicker Tryout Ahead of Training Camp originally appeared on Athlon Sports.

The New England Patriots launch their 2025 training camp this Wednesday, with a fierce kicking competition stealing the spotlight. Rookie Andres Borregales and veteran John Parker Romo are set to duel, but four new kickers aim to shake things up and go between the uprights for head coach Mike Vrabel.

Last year, Joey Slye held down the kicker position for New England, but departed in free agency and signed with the Tennessee Titans, leaving the Patriots empty-handed.

On Saturday, the Patriots hosted tryouts for kickers Kenneth Almendares, Alex Felkins, Alex Raynor, and Tristian Vandenberg, per the NFL’s official transaction wire. This move suggests New England is bolstering its emergency list, while underscoring Vrabel’s relentless pursuit of reliability.

Vrabel’s skepticism of kickers is no secret; during his Titans tenure, he famously criticized their inconsistency, and now in Foxborough, he’s determined to avoid a repeat disaster.

Borregales, a sixth-round pick from Miami, owns an 86.0 % career college field-goal rate (74-of-86), capped by an 18-of-19 senior season with a career-long 56-yarder. He nailed 19-of-20 in spring practices. Romo, with NFL and XFL experience, remains a formidable challenger.

Almendares, the 2024 Lou Groza Award winner, converted 28-of-31 field goals at Louisiana, going a perfect 25-for-25 inside 50 yards. Felkins, Raynor, and Vandenberg also bring strong college resumes, intensifying the battle.

This round of workouts underscores Vrabel’s no-nonsense approach. With every kick scrutinized, can Borregales lock down the job, or will an underdog emerge?

This story was originally reported by Athlon Sports on Jul 21, 2025, where it first appeared.