The New York Jetssigned veteran kicker Nick Folk earlier this week. The 40-year-old Folk returns to East Rutherford after previously playing for the Jets from 2010 to 2016. He’ll add much needed experience to what appeared to be an inexperienced special teams unit before his arrival.

The Jets were holding a kicking competition between rookie Caden Davis and sophomore Harrison Mevis. Neither placekicker had ever played in an NFL regular season game. After both kickers got off to a rocky start at training camp, the Jets decided to release Davis and bring in Folk. Mevis remains on the roster, but he’s essentially a camp body now.

We’ve signed K Nick Folk.

— New York Jets (@nyjets) July 29, 2025

It was a similar story at punter. Undrafted free agent rookie punter Kai Kroeger was released from the 90-man roster recently. That leaves Austin McNamara as the presumed starter, McNamara signed with the Jets in March after competing for the Cincinnati Bengals‘ gig in training camp last year. He’s never punted in an NFL game. He’ll lean on Folk for advice.

Folk’s presence will also help first-year special teams coordinator Chris Banjo. A 35-year-old former NFL safety, Banjo enters the spotlight after spending just two seasons (2023-24) as an assistant special teams coach with the Denver Broncos. Asking him to develop both inexperienced kickers and punters was a tall ask.

On paper, the Jets’ initial plan on special teams was a recipe for disaster. Folk will add much-needed experience and leadership. Coach Banjo will appreciate having a veteran kicker he can rely on.

This article originally appeared on Jets Wire: Nick Folk adds much-needed experience to Jets’ special teams unit