Kicker Nick Folk doesn’t have retirement plans, wants to play in 2022
New England Patriots kicker Nick Folk is showing that he can still be one of the top kickers in the NFL, even at 36 years old.
He had a solid 2021 regular season. He went 36 of 39 on field goals in 2021, and has not missed a kick from inside 50 yards since the opening game of the 2020 season, even while dealing with a knee injury this season. His 36 converted field goals in 2021 were a career-high for him. His 92.9 conversion percentage in 2020 was also a career-high.
Though it might be a time for the kicker to consider retirement, he said he would love to keep playing football beyond this year. Per Zack Cox of NESN.com, Folk is focused on the game at hand as he prepares for the Patriots’ opening playoff game on Saturday,
“I’d love to keep playing,” the 37-year-old said Thursday in a video conference. “I feel pretty good where I’m at right now. I’m kicking well with Jake (Bailey) and Joe (Cardona), so I’d love to keep playing. But I think the biggest focus is just on Buffalo. I haven’t really given it too much thought. I know I’d love to keep playing, but I’ve really been trying to really focus on this game and then try to go from there.”
New England signed folk in October 2019. He has been able to seamlessly slide into the role of starting kicker for the Patriots, following a career-ending injury to Stephen Gostkowski.
With special teams being placed at a premium, especially during playoff games, Folk may play a big role in the outcome of Saturday’s game. He has played in five career playoff games, going five-of-six on field goals and making all 11 of his extra-point attempts.
