Austin Seibert no longer looks for a football field with goalposts to practice his kicks. Instead, he aims for a pine tree in a lot next to his home in Illinois.
“I just tell myself to hit the tree,” Seibert said. “We go about three days a week. My wife films me, and my daughter joins us too, and we kick around 25 to 30 balls. It’s fun and becomes a family event.”
This unique practice helped him a lot in his latest NFL opportunity. Seibert successfully made all seven of his field-goal attempts in his debut with the Washington Commanders, scoring all their points in their first win of the season just days after signing with the team.
He was named the NFC special teams player of the week on Wednesday. Going from being jobless in Week 1 to being lifted on his new teammates’ shoulders was an impressive change for the 27-year-old, who has moved around the league since 2019.
“That’s why you stay ready at all times,” Seibert said. “That’s just how it is in the kicking world. It’s really competitive. You need to make the most of the chances you get.”
This chance came while wearing a burgundy and gold No. 3 jersey, which was worn by All-Pro kicker Mark Moseley, who won a Super Bowl and played from 1974 to 1986.
Seibert is represented by the son of Moseley’s roommate, defensive lineman Dave Butz, and their families have been close for many years.
The Commanders reached out to Butz about Seibert after Cade York missed both of his field-goal attempts in their opening game loss to Tampa Bay. They didn’t feel the need to bring Seibert in for a workout since they were already familiar with him from joint practices and a preseason game against the New York Jets.
Coach Dan Quinn praised general manager Adam Peters for making the choice but clearly remembers seeing Seibert “in the rain, hitting some big ones” last month at the Jets’ practice facility in Florham Park, New Jersey.
“We had a good evaluation of him,” Quinn said. “He was one of the players that we had targeted if we were going to do something, and so it was part of that process from all the way back.” Seibert is the fifth kicker on Washington’s roster since January.
Joey Slye, who was brought in by the previous management, left as a free agent; Brandon McManus was let go after facing a civil lawsuit alleging he sexually assaulted two flight attendants during a trip to London last year; Ramiz Ahmed and Riley Patterson joined and left during the offseason, while Cade York lasted just one game.
“I think pretty much everyone knew that there were some kickers here before me, and I can’t think about it that way,” Seibert said. “That’s their story. That’s what they’re doing. This is my story. And yeah, sure, you think about that, but at the end of the day, I’m writing my own story.”
After playing college football at Oklahoma, Seibert spent his first full professional season with Cleveland and has since kicked for Cincinnati, Detroit, and the Jets. He made about 80% of his attempts.
On Sunday, he was perfect, hitting field goals from 27, 45, 26, 27, 29, 33, and 30 yards, including the game-winner as time ran out.
“I appreciate you,” quarterback Jayden Daniels said. “He’s very new to this team. He’s a good kicker. I’m glad he’s on my team.”
Daniels isn’t the only one impressed. Six-time All-Pro linebacker Bobby Wagner called it a special performance and something he had never seen before.
Washington will visit Cincinnati on Monday night, and Seibert will again be in the spotlight to do his job. Going 7 for 7 in his first game doesn’t guarantee anything for the next chance.
