Throughout training camp, the Patriots were fortunate to have a legitimate competition between their two kickers, one of whom, Andres Borregales, they used a sixth-round draft selection on earlier this year. The other, Parker Romo, was a member of the 2024 squad and brought a tough battle to the widely considered best kicking prospect of the 2025 class.
That meant it took all the way until roster cutdowns for Mike Vrabel and Co. to ultimately decide who would fill the role this year. Despite appearing as the slight frontrunner, they decided to keep their draft choice and cut Romo, who had an impressive late showing at camp.
And based on what we just saw in their season opener against the Raiders, they might already be regretting that decision.
Andy Borregales needs to improve on his consistency or the Patriots will need a new kicker
After a rough start to the game, Drake Maye began to look more comfortable heading into the second quarter. He managed to lead the team to a touchdown and looked well on his way to getting it done again, only for the Raiders' defense to force a field goal.
It was a 40-yard attempt that should be an easy score for Borregales, but he missed the points by kicking it too far right.
Patriots rookie K Andres Borregales misses a 40-yard field goal attempt wide right.
— Doug Kyed (@DougKyed) September 7, 2025
The meant the Raiders got to take over on downs and fortunately for the Patriots, they ended up going three-and-out to give them the ball back fairly quickly.
It could have been an absolute disaster if the miss led to the Patriots falling behind not long before halftime, so Borregales is lucky that didn't happen. However, this isn't a great start to his already shaky tenure, which might lead to the team looking at kickers again before Week 2.
The special teams looked like they were going to be the best group on the team throughout the summer, and while that remains true, Borregales's inconsistency cannot continue to put the team at risk, as it has over the last two years.