Former sixth-round draft pick Andres Borregales had a nightmare start in Week 2, missing two straight extra points. Last week, against the Raiders, he was wide right on a 40-yard field goal, and he got off to a rough start in Miami.
Rightfully so, there was a lot of concern over the kicking performance, as the Patriots have now spent two draft picks on kickers—something no other team has done in the last 20 years. Borregales bounced back, though. The former University of Miami kicker hit a 22-yard field goal at the end of the first half and then came up clutch late in the fourth quarter.
After a Morgan Moses false start, the Patriots were forced to kick to extend their lead. With 1:51 remaining in the game, the rookie nailed a 53-yard field goal, effectively sealing the game for the Patriots.
Patriots head coach Mike Vrabel talked about having confidence in the kicker and just executing.
“I’m happy for Andy,” Vrabel said. “That’s why he’s here. I thought after the first two he really settled down, and that’s what we’ll have to have.”
At the end of training camp, it was announced that Borregales beat out veteran Parker Romo for the starting kicker’s job. It marked the second time in three years the Patriots would start a rookie kicker in Week 1. Former University of Maryland kicker Chad Ryland started for the Patriots in the 2023 season, but after completing just 66% of his field goals, the Patriots released Ryland before the 2024 season.
Borregales, originally born in Venezuela, is the younger brother of NFL kicker José Borregales. He is also the fourth Venezuelan-born NFL player. The hope is Borregales continues to develop and show off his strong leg while maintaining his accuracy.
The rookie’s next chance will come in Week 3 when the New England Patriots host the Pittsburgh Steelers for an AFC duel at Gillette Stadium.
My name is Ben Belford-Peltzman and I am the creator and writer of The Patriots Beat. I am a 19-year kid who is an optimistic pessimist about the City of Champions. I started The Patriots Beat in August of 2022 and never expected to grow so much but here we are. Feel free to email Ben.BelfordPeltzman@gmail.com with any inquires.
