Former Cardinals, ASU kicker Zane Gonzalez signs with Detroit Lions
Aug 10, 2021, 12:58 PM
GLENDALE, ARIZONA - SEPTEMBER 27: Kicker Zane Gonzalez #5 of the Arizona Cardinals kicks off in the NFL game against the Detroit Lions at State Farm Stadium on September 27, 2020 in Glendale, Arizona. The Lions defeated the Cardinals 26-23. (Photo by Christian Petersen/Getty Images)
(Photo by Christian Petersen/Getty Images)
Kicker Zane Gonzalez found his new home in the NFL, signing a one-year deal with the Detroit Lions on Tuesday after being released by the Arizona Cardinals back in March.
As a member of the Cardinals in the 2020 season, Gonzalez converted on 72% of his field goals in 12 games.
He missed six field goal attempts in 2020, including a handful of game-deciding kicks.
Of his misses, five of them were from the 40-49 yard-range.
Following his release, the Cardinals went out and signed Matt Prater in free agency, who had been the Lions’ kicker since 2014.
In 2020, Prater hit 75% of his field goals, including a game-winner against the Cardinals in Week 3.
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Gonzalez entered the league in 2017, where he was taken in the seventh round by the Cleveland Browns.
He played the 2017 season with the Browns and started the 2018 season with the team, but was cut and picked up by the Cardinals to finish the season.
Gonzalez was a standout kicker at Arizona State, where he was a finalist for the Lou Groza Award his senior season.
He is currently the FBS record holder for career field goals with 96.
Gonzalez is expected to compete against veteran kicker Randy Bullock for the starting job in Detroit.
