Joshua Karty, the former Los Angeles Rams kicker, is still looking for an NFL home as Week 2 of the preseason fast approaches. His options have been tight ever since the Rams cut him last season, but a potential landing spot opened up with Tennessee if their kicking situation completely implodes. Karty actually worked out for the Titans earlier this month, as the team tried to bring in some competition for their veteran kicker, Joey Slye.
Joey Slye’s Shaky Start vs. Karty’s Shaky Career
Titans senior writer Jim Wyatt saw Slye having a rough start to training camp, which is pretty wild after his up-and-down 2025 campaign. But here’s the thing: if Tennessee actually gave Slye the boot for Karty, it would be a major downgrade for the team. Slye, even with his supposed shaky ground, is coming off a way more productive season. He converted 80% of his field goals last year. Karty? He only hit 66.7% before he got benched. Slye’s got the cannon leg, too, evident by his three field goals from 50+ yards in the preseason opener against the 49ers. That’s more 50+ yard conversions than Karty had in his entire final season with the Rams, even if Karty had way fewer attempts.
The Numbers Don’t Lie: A Stark Kicking Comparison
The Titans’ veteran kicker has earned trust from long distance. NFL.com reported that Slye tied for the second-most field goal attempts from the 50-59-yard range, right behind Brandon Aubrey and Ka’imi Fairburn. His nine conversions from that range put him fifth overall. Karty, on the other hand, had nine attempts, *period*, from that range in his *first two seasons*. Looking at the last two seasons, Slye has converted 79.4% of his field goals and 96.3% of his extra point attempts. Karty? He’s at 79.6% on field goals and 88.7% on extra points in the same timeframe. Yeah, Karty’s field goal percentage is slightly higher, but most of that came in his rookie year when he was hitting over 85% of his kicks. His eight total missed kicks in just eight games, with half of them blocked, just screams a decline before his career even really got going.
A Falling Star and What’s Next for Karty
Karty’s lack of NFL opportunities after getting released by the Rams and Cardinals tells you everything you need to know. It took nearly a month for the Cardinals to sign him off LA’s practice squad, and even then, he was signed to the active roster before Week 17 but never saw the field. He even signed a one-year deal to go back to Arizona in April, only to be waived in June. Then, not getting a workout call for two months? That’s a huge sign teams just aren’t high on him since the Rams cut him loose. It’s been a tough fall for the former Rams kicker, who went from being a two-time All-American in college to hitting free agency just two years into his NFL journey. Whether Karty lands in Tennessee or doesn’t find a team at all in 2026, it looks like his time is running out.
This article was created with AI assistance and published under Seattle On Tap’s editorial standards. See our Editorial Policy.
Originally reported by Turf Show Times.
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