The Broncos have only one kicker on their 90-man roster: Wil Lutz, who missed Saturday’s practice to attend former teammate Drew Brees’ induction into the Pro Football Hall of Fame. And that’s how they found out that they have another kicker on their roster: Brandon Jones, a safety who can kick in a pinch.
Jones went 3-for-4 on field goals at practice on Saturday and said afterward that he became the Broncos’ backup kicker after what started as a joke with special teams coordinator Darren Rizzi.
“I didn’t kick in high school or college, I just have some history in playing soccer,” Jones said. “I don’t know how I even got to kick. I think I just was joking with Riz like, ‘Yo, I can kick if you ever need an emergency-kicker-type of situation.’ Then he called my bluff and put me to the test one day, I think it was some time last year, and I made an extra point.”
The longest of Jones’ field goals at practice on Saturday was 41 yards. He said he once made a 50-yard field goal while working with Lutz.
Broncos fans at training camp were chanting Jones’ name as he showed off his kicking skills, which he said was a thrill, but he doesn’t know if he could handle the pressure of the Broncos needing him to make a game-winner.
“If we’re winning by a lot, no big deal. Hopefully, I don’t think it would ever come down to a game-time thing where I would need to make it to win. If it comes down to that, just pray for me, that’s all I can say,” Jones said.
Jones knows he’s not good enough to play Major League Soccer, but he said he would love to try out for an MLS team when he retires from the NFL, just for the challenge of it.
“Played some club soccer, stopped in high school because I was like, ‘Let’s be real, I’m a football player,’” Jones said.
He showed on Saturday that he’s a football player who can play two positions.
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