clock menu more-arrow no yes mobile

Filed under:

Aguayo, Sturgis Battle It Out In Heated Kicking Competition

The Chargers are still looking for their kicker as Sturgis and Aguayo both receive half-a-dozen attempts on Day 3.

NFL: Los Angeles Chargers Minicamp Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports

Head coach Anthony Lynn finally broke out the field goal unit for the first time in training camp and both kickers put on a middle-of-the-road performance with neither gaining any seperation from the other.

Caleb Sturgis made four of his six attempts while both misses came from under 40 yards. Robert Aquayo made five of his six with a long of 50 yards. His lone miss was also from under 40 yards away.

As much as the fan base wants a kicker who is automatic from anywhere under 50 yards, those players are few and far in-between with the majority of them locked into long-term contracts across the league.

Sturgis has increased his accuracy every year he has been in the league. After converting on 76.5% of his kicks in 2013, he most recently improved to 85.4% percent in 2016. Last year, he converted all three of his attempts before being shutdown for the season after suffering a left hip-flexor tear in the season opener.

Aguayo failed to live up to the lofty expectations in Tampa Bay after he was drafted in the second-round of the 2016 NFL Draft. Once one of the most accurate kickers in college football history, Aguayo made just 71% of his kicks as a rookie. Prior to the 2017 regular season, Aguayo was let go after his rookie struggles continued into the preseason of his sophomore campaign.