Austin Seibert has traveled plenty in his now-six NFL seasons.
He began as a fifth-round draft pick of the Browns in 2019, but inconsistency led Cleveland to cut him near the start of his second campaign. That kicked off a winding journey through the NFL, including stops in Cincinnati, Detroit and New York before Washington's need for a kicker -- which arose only after they cut another former Browns kicker, Cade York -- prompted them to sign him on Sept. 10.
Seibert embraced the latest opportunity and capitalized, nailing all seven field goals in his debut to power the Commanders to a 21-18 win over the Giants.
“That’s why you stay ready at all times,” Seibert said, via The Associated Press. “That’s kind of the nature of the beast right now in the kicking world. It’s just so competitive. You have to take advantage of the opportunities that present themselves.”
Seibert certainly understands the rarity of such opportunities. Since attempting 30 field goals with the Browns, Seibert had swung his leg just 26 times between 2020 and 2023 prior to joining the Commanders. At one point during his recent free agency, he was keeping himself prepared by taking aim at a pine tree next to his house in Illinois.
That work paid off in Washington's Week 2 win, perhaps solidifying a position that has become a bit of a revolving door since January.
None of that matters to reigning NFC Special Teams Player of the Week Seibert, who is just thankful for the opportunity to continue his career.
“I think pretty much everyone knew that there were some kickers here before me, and I can’t think about it that way,” Seibert said. “That’s their story. That’s what they’re doing. This is my story. And yeah, sure, you think about that, but at the end of the day, I’m writing my own story.”
For what it's worth, Seibert crushed his debut and eased concerns coach Dan Quinn had regarding the kicker position. Not only did he kick the Commanders to a win, he also gave them proof he can be trusted in key situations.
It's only one week, but it's a heck of a debut for a kicker who has struggled to find an NFL home. Washington could end up being just that for him if he keeps this up.
“What he did establish, right away, (is) that he’s somebody to be counted upon,” Quinn said Monday. “We’re in a performance business and that all counts, but man, you couldn’t have had a better start than him.”