Ryan Fitzgerald

Career StatsD+

Year	Team	GP	FG%
Career		17	82.8%
2025		17	82.8%

Updated Jun 17, 2026

Current Contract

Contract Value Index (CVI)

This signing grades out as an overpay for the Carolina Panthers — the team is paying more than the on-field production currently warrants. Ryan's on-field performance ranks in the lower half among NFL PKs, grading him as a rotational player at the position. His $993K average annual value ranks as minimum-level money for the PK market. The concern here is the gap between production and cost — rotational player output at minimum-level money means the team is paying a premium above the player's on-field value. Ryan is well past his prime years, which is the biggest risk in this deal — paying veteran money for a player whose best years are likely behind him. The 3-year, $3.0M contract with $145K guaranteed (5%) represents a moderate investment with room to exit if needed.

Contracts in the Same Value Band

Other same-position deals the Contract Value Index also places in the C band — a quick read on where Ryan's contract sits relative to comparable money.

Performance Analysis

Ryan Fitzgerald enters the NFL as an undrafted rookie kicker battling for roster security with the Carolina Panthers. His early returns earn a D+ overall grade, placing him well below the threshold expected even for developmental specialists. For a rookie kicker, the learning curve is real, but these numbers offer limited encouragement. Fitzgerald's 82.8% field goal accuracy sits noticeably below the NFL average of 85.0% and far from the elite threshold of 93.0%, a benchmark set by kickers like Justin Tucker and Evan McPherson. That gap matters — every missed field goal in a rebuilding program compounds roster pressure. There are no standout advanced metrics to offset the accuracy concerns at this stage. His 2025 season trend grades out at a D, suggesting he has not found consistent footing as the year has progressed. Carolina will need to evaluate whether improvement is realistic or whether a more reliable option is necessary heading into 2026. Fitzgerald's ceiling remains unclear, but closing the gap to league-average accuracy would be the first meaningful developmental milestone worth monitoring.

How Ryan Compares at the Position

Ryan Fitzgerald ranks 33rd of 39 graded pks by performance. That slots Ryan between Matt Gay (D+) just ahead and Younghoe KOO (D+) just behind.

Current Sentiment

Carolina Panthers fans and writers have settled into a B sentiment grade on Ryan Fitzgerald. The narrative surrounding the undrafted rookie kicker has been overwhelmingly positive, built entirely on his reputation for delivering in high-pressure moments—a dramatic overtime game-winner against Atlanta, clutch field goals that have repeatedly shifted games in the Panthers' favor, and consistent composure in moments where most players fold. That feel-good story of an unheralded kicker becoming one of the team's most relied-upon performers is exactly the kind of arc that resonates across both casual audiences and NFL media, and it's earned him coverage well above what his actual experience level would typically command. There's a notable disconnect here: his on-field performance grade sits at D+, suggesting his production metrics don't fully justify the hype, yet the media narrative and fan goodwill remain firmly in his corner because narrative momentum and clutch moments carry enormous weight in how players are perceived. Heading into his sophomore season, Fitzgerald has built genuine organizational trust and public confidence despite his limited track record—the kind of perception windfall that can accelerate a career if he sustains performance, but also the kind that leaves little margin for error if results turn south.