The New York Jets have made an intriguing move by signing kicker Lenny Krieg to a futures contract. At 23 years old, Krieg joins the team through the NFL’s International Pathway Program, and while he may not be a household name just yet, his journey from European soccer fields to NFL sidelines is worth a closer look.
From Berlin to the Big Leagues
Krieg stands 6-foot-1, 211 pounds, and has emerged as one of the most promising young kickers in Europe over the past few seasons. Born to Nigerian parents, Krieg grew up playing soccer-no surprise for a European athlete-but his path took a turn during the pandemic. Inspired by his brother’s return from college football at Wisconsin, Krieg began to seriously pursue a future as an NFL placekicker.
By 2021, he was suiting up for the under-19 team of the Berlin Adler in the German Football League. A year later, he was promoted to the senior squad, where he quickly made an impact and was named the team’s rookie of the year. That performance earned him a spot in the European League of Football (ELF) with the Stuttgart Surge.
In his first ELF season, Krieg connected on 8-of-10 field goals. But it was the following year where he truly broke out-leading the league in scoring with 99 points, earning first-team all-star honors, and becoming a finalist for Special Teams Player of the Year. That success opened the door to the NFL’s International Pathway Program, and eventually, a shot with the Atlanta Falcons.
Krieg impressed at the International Combine and earned a training camp invite from Atlanta in 2025. He appeared in preseason action, making one of two field goal attempts.
Though he didn’t make the 53-man roster, the Falcons kept him on their practice squad throughout the season. When they opted not to re-sign him to a futures deal, the Jets stepped in.
Breaking Down Krieg’s Game
Let’s take a closer look at what Krieg brings to the table, and where he still has room to grow.
Measurables & Athleticism
Krieg has solid size for a kicker, but he didn’t participate in athletic testing during his pre-draft process. His focus has always been on refining his kicking mechanics and maintaining consistency. He’s also been open about choosing the kicker role because of its reduced physical toll compared to playing other positions.
Leg Strength
This is where Krieg really stands out. There are reports of him hitting a 73-yarder in practice, and there’s verified film of a 63-yard make. His leg strength isn’t just hype-he nailed a 57-yard field goal during preseason action with the Falcons, showing he can unleash that power in live-game situations.
In his first ELF season, his longest field goal was 41 yards. That number jumped the next year, when he went 1-for-3 from 50+ yards, including a 52-yarder. So while the long-range consistency is still developing, the raw power is clearly there.
Accuracy
Accuracy remains a work in progress. Krieg was nearly automatic at the under-19 level, reportedly going 30-for-31 on field goals.
But at the professional level, he’s been more up and down. He hit 73 percent of his field goals with the Surge and missed 25 extra points over two seasons-a stat that certainly raises eyebrows.
That said, he showed signs of progress at the International Combine, going a perfect 14-for-14, with the longest from 55 yards. He did miss a 53-yarder wide left during the preseason, so the consistency under pressure still needs to catch up to his leg talent.
Clutch Factor
Krieg hasn’t had many chances to prove himself in high-leverage moments. He’s never hit a game-winner, though he did attempt a 55-yard game-tying kick in the final minute of an ELF game-it was blocked. That lack of clutch résumé doesn’t mean he can’t deliver, but it’s an area where NFL coaches will want to see more before handing him the reins.
Tackling and Physicality
Let’s be real-Krieg didn’t choose kicking because he loves contact. He’s not out there looking to lay anyone out, but he did record three tackles over two seasons with the Surge. That’s enough to show he’s willing to mix it up if needed, but no one’s expecting him to be the next Pat McAfee in the open field.
Special Teams Versatility
Krieg has handled kickoffs throughout his career, with a touchback rate near 50 percent at the under-19 level. In the NFL preseason, he kicked off nine times and delivered two touchbacks. That’s a solid start, and something that could help him carve out a role.
He’s also dabbled in punting. In 2023, he had just one punt-a 48-yard touchback.
But in 2024, he punted 27 times, with five going 50-plus yards and a long of 71. Still, his average was just 33.7 yards, and he had five touchbacks, so while he’s a capable emergency punter, he’s not someone you’d want handling that role full-time.
And yes, he’s even thrown a pass-a 13-yard completion on a fake in 2024-and once ran in a fake field goal for a touchdown at the under-19 level. The creativity is there, even if it’s more of a footnote than a feature.
What This Means for the Jets
With veteran kicker Nick Folk currently out of contract, the Jets are in a bit of a holding pattern at the position. If Folk returns, Krieg likely slides into a developmental role. If not, the Jets will almost certainly bring in competition-Krieg isn’t walking into the starting job uncontested.
But here’s where things get interesting: as part of the International Pathway Program, Krieg brings with him roster and practice squad exemptions that could help the Jets manage their 90-man and 53-man limits more flexibly. That gives them a low-risk way to keep developing him without sacrificing a spot for another player.
The Bottom Line
Krieg is a fascinating project-big leg, international pedigree, and a clear upward trajectory. He’s not ready to take over full-time duties just yet, but the Jets are making a smart bet on upside. If he continues to refine his accuracy and gains confidence in pressure moments, he could become a legitimate option down the line.
For now, it’s all about development. But don’t be surprised if Lenny Krieg starts turning heads in camp. The leg talent is real, and the opportunity is there.