Nick Folk's journey in professional football began when he was drafted by the Dallas Cowboys in the sixth round of the 2007 NFL Draft. As a placekicker, Folk quickly demonstrated his abilities on the field. In his rookie season, he made an immediate impression by converting 26 of 31 field goal attempts and all 53 extra point attempts. His performance earned him a spot in the Pro Bowl, marking a strong start to his NFL career.
Folk continued to play for the Cowboys until 2009. During his tenure with Dallas, he maintained a solid field goal percentage and was known for his reliability in clutch situations. However, after a series of inconsistent performances in the 2009 season, the Cowboys released him.
In 2010, Folk signed with the New York Jets, where he revitalized his career. Over the next seven seasons, he became a consistent performer for the Jets, known for his accuracy and ability to handle high-pressure kicks. One of his memorable moments came in the 2010 playoffs, where he kicked the game-winning field goal against the Indianapolis Colts in the Wild Card round. His tenure with the Jets solidified his reputation as a dependable kicker in the league.
After being released by the Jets in 2017, Folk had a brief stint with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. His time in Tampa Bay was short-lived, as he struggled with accuracy and was placed on injured reserve before being released.
Folk's career took an unexpected turn when he joined the Arizona Hotshots of the Alliance of American Football (AAF) in 2019. Although the league was short-lived, Folk's performance caught the attention of NFL teams. Later that year, he signed with the New England Patriots, where he found a new home.
With the Patriots, Folk experienced a resurgence. He became known for his consistency and ability to deliver in critical moments. In the 2020 season, he made 26 of 28 field goal attempts, including a game-winning 51-yard field goal against the New York Jets. His performance earned him a contract extension with the Patriots, where he continued to play through the 2021 season.
Throughout his career, Folk was recognized for his professionalism and ability to adapt to different teams and situations.
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