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Tennessee Titans: Can Stephen Gostkowski redeem himself?

By Colton Pickard

DENVER, CO - SEPTEMBER 14: Stephen Gostkowski #3 of the Tennessee Titans kicks a fourth quarter field goal to go ahead of the Denver Broncos as Brett Kern #6 holds and Bryce Callahan #29 of the Denver Broncos covers the play during a game at Empower Field at Mile High on September 14, 2020 in Denver, Colorado. (Photo by Dustin Bradford/Getty Images)
DENVER, CO - SEPTEMBER 14: Stephen Gostkowski #3 of the Tennessee Titans kicks a fourth quarter field goal to go ahead of the Denver Broncos as Brett Kern #6 holds and Bryce Callahan #29 of the Denver Broncos covers the play during a game at Empower Field at Mile High on September 14, 2020 in Denver, Colorado. (Photo by Dustin Bradford/Getty Images) /
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After a pitiful Week 1 performance, Tennessee Titans kicker Stephen Gostkowski will have a chance to redeem himself on Sunday, but can he?

Stephen Gostkowski is returning for Week 2 for the Tennessee Titans after an abysmal Week 1 performance where he went 1-for-4 in field goals and 1-for-2 in PATs. It’s hard for any kicker to keep his job after going 2-for-6 overall in a game, but the Titans are giving Gostkowski a second chance.

Before Gostkowski was signed, I was all-in on Greg Joseph getting the starting kicker job. I thought Joseph would be a good kicker and could be productive for the Titans. Then, the Titans signed Gostkowski, and Joseph’s chance to win the job quickly fell to right above zero.

After one week, it seems like the Titans might’ve made a bad decision. There’s still time to make up for that, but we could go through another season where the Titans are using multiple different kickers throughout the season as they try to find a long-term kicker that can be consistent.

Special Teams Coordinator Craig Auckerman believes that Gostkowski’s Week 1 performance was just kicking off the rust.

"“There were, obviously, correctible things that we can end up doing a little better,” Aukerman said. “It is probably knocking the rust off a little bit.”"

Titans Head Coach Mike Vrabel is also backing Gostkowski moving forward. Vrabel’s relationship with Gostkowski when they were both with the Patriots could play a role in that.

I’ve seen some people backing Gostkowski on social media with others, obviously skeptical about his ability to perform. Both sides have a fair argument, and with no preseason, Gostkowski might need a game or two before he can get back to his old self, but if it comes with a loss, will it be worth it?

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If the Titans win future games because of Gostkowski then one loss early in the season would probably be worth it, but if they eventually move on from him and go through the kicker carousel again, then it won’t be worth it. Hindsight is always 20/20, so we won’t know until later this year, so fingers crossed the Titans are making the right decision.

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