Cleveland, Ohio — The atmosphere was tense as Browns kicker Andre Szmyt stood surrounded by cameras, his demeanor reminiscent of past Cleveland kickers like Dustin Hopkins, Cade York, and Zane Gonzalez. The flash of the cameras only served as a stark reminder of the ongoing struggles the Browns have faced in this critical position. After Szmyt missed two crucial kicks during the Sunday matchup against the Bengals, the team quickly fell back into a familiar pattern. Reporters flocked to Szmyt for explanations, while his teammates shifted the focus away from the kicker, echoing sentiments from quarterback Joe Flacco, edge rusher Myles Garrett, and cornerback Greg Newsome, all of whom defended him on that challenging day.
As fans, we understand that not every loss can be pinned on a single player. Mistakes are part of the game, and the consensus among the team was that Szmyt would bounce back. This reassurance, however, felt repetitive to fans who are desperately seeking a solution rather than platitudes. It’s not uncommon for fans to take to social media and express their frustrations, but it's clear that the blame shouldn’t rest solely on Szmyt’s shoulders.
By the time Szmyt walked off the field after missing a go-ahead field goal with just 2:25 remaining, it was evident that the problem extended beyond just him. The issue has permeated through the Cleveland organization, reaching the upper echelons of management. General Manager Andrew Berry has cycled through an astonishing seven kickers in just five seasons, showcasing a lack of stability in this crucial role. Despite this history, the Browns were caught off-guard by Szmyt, a previously undrafted player who was unable to perform in a high-stakes NFL game.
This latest dilemma is not a new story for the Browns; it feels like a narrative that has been building for the past two seasons. The saga began positively when the Browns traded a seventh-round pick to acquire veteran kicker Dustin Hopkins in 2023. His initial performance was impressive; he made 33 out of 36 field goals, including an astounding 8 for 8 from 50 yards or more, marking a career-best for the seasoned kicker. However, the question remains: was this performance an anomaly?
Last offseason, the Browns made a bold move by extending Hopkins' contract to three years and $15 million, despite his existing contract running through 2024. This decision to give him an additional $8.3 million in guaranteed money looked questionable when he regressed significantly during the 2024 season, making only 18 of 27 field goals, a career-low 66.7%. The Browns, however, retained him throughout the year, reluctant to absorb the dead cap money associated with cutting a kicker.
After a disappointing performance, the Browns finally decided it was time to make a change. On August 26, just days after Hopkins missed an extra point, the team waived him, leaving a significant salary cap impact of nearly $5 million over the next two seasons. In his place, they turned to Szmyt, a player with limited NFL experience and a history of inconsistency, having converted only 72.5% of his kicks in his final collegiate seasons at Syracuse.
With Szmyt now at the forefront, the Browns are left to ponder their decision-making process. Questions arise: Why didn’t they opt for a seasoned veteran kicker after cutting Hopkins? Did they consider contacting experienced kickers like 41-year-old Matt Prater, who made three field goals just days after joining the Buffalo Bills? These pressing inquiries are more poignant than the typical post-game questions directed at Szmyt.
While Szmyt can analyze his missed kicks, teammates like Garrett express uncertainty about how to best support him. “I feel like saying something to people in that situation, especially if you don’t know them that well, you don’t know if you’re adding unnecessary pressure,” Garrett remarked. There remains a glimmer of hope that Szmyt will improve, but fans have grown weary of similar narratives, given the franchise's tumultuous history with kickers.
As the Browns move forward, the question remains: will they finally find stability in the kicker position? Cleveland has seen its fair share of kicking struggles, and the latest performance highlights the urgent need for a reliable solution. With the fans' hopes hanging in the balance, the front office must confront the realities of their past decisions and look for a sustainable path forward in the kicking game.
