Nick Folk

Career StatsA+

Year	Team	GP	FG%
Career		78	85.0%
2025		16	96.6%
2024		14	95.5%
2023		17	96.7%
2022		17	86.5%
2021

Current Contract

Contract Value Index (CVI)

Nick Folk's two-year, $9M extension with the Falcons represents a steal for Atlanta, earning an A CVI grade in a deal that locks up elite kicker production at below-market rates. At $4.5M annually, Folk commands far less than the premium kickers despite delivering franchise-caliber accuracy and clutch performance that puts him in the top tier of NFL placekickers. The 39-year-old veteran shows no signs of decline, and kickers historically maintain their effectiveness well into their 40s, making age a non-factor in this evaluation. With $4M guaranteed in a relatively low-risk position, Atlanta structured this perfectly — minimal downside exposure while securing a proven commodity who can swing games in their favor. This signing exemplifies smart roster building, as the Falcons identified a difference-maker at a crucial position and secured him at a fraction of what elite kickers typically command on the open market.

Performance Analysis

Nick Folk continues to defy Father Time as one of the NFL's most reliable placekickers, delivering elite accuracy in his 18th professional season at age 41. The veteran specialist has seamlessly transitioned to Atlanta's offense, maintaining the same surgical precision that made him a cornerstone of New England's championship runs. Folk represents the gold standard for veteran kickers, combining clutch gene mentality with technical mastery that few peers can match. His A+ grade reflects not just statistical excellence but the intangible leadership and consistency that championship-caliber teams demand from the specialist position. Folk's 96.6% field goal accuracy this season towers above the NFL average of 85.0% and comfortably exceeds even the elite benchmark of 93.0%, showcasing remarkable leg strength and accuracy for a player approaching his fifth decade. His ice-cold demeanor in pressure situations has become legendary, with Folk converting critical kicks in playoff atmospheres and prime-time games throughout his extensive career. The former Arizona State standout has refined his mechanics to near-perfection over nearly two decades, eliminating the inconsistencies that plagued his earlier NFL years. His range remains impressive despite his advanced age, with the veteran confidently connecting from 50-plus yards when Atlanta needs crucial points. Folk's remarkable three-year run of A+ performance from 2023 through 2025 suggests he's entered a late-career renaissance that could extend his playing days well into his forties. While most specialists decline sharply after age 38, Folk appears to be bucking conventional wisdom with improved accuracy and maintained leg strength that makes him a legitimate weapon for Atlanta's playoff aspirations. The veteran's trajectory points toward potential Pro Bowl consideration if he sustains this elite production, cementing his legacy as one of the most durable and clutch kickers in modern NFL history.

Fan Sentiment

The Nick Folk signing has generated surprisingly lukewarm public reception for Atlanta, earning a D+ sentiment grade despite the veteran kicker's proven track record. The muted reaction stems largely from concerns about his age — at 41, Folk becomes one of the oldest active players in the NFL, leading many fans and analysts to question the wisdom of a two-year commitment to a kicker entering his 19th season. This tepid response stands in stark contrast to his elite A+ performance grade, creating an unusual disconnect where Folk's on-field excellence is being overshadowed by durability concerns and the natural skepticism that follows aging specialists. The irony isn't lost on observers that Folk literally beat these same Falcons with a clutch 56-yard game-winner while wearing a Jets uniform, yet his arrival in Atlanta feels more like a stopgap move than a celebration-worthy addition. With the Falcons making several other veteran signings this offseason — including Brian Robinson Jr. and Trevor Siemian — the Folk deal gets lost in a broader narrative about Atlanta patching holes with experienced players rather than building for the future, contributing to the underwhelming public sentiment despite his undeniable kicking prowess.