If Denver Broncos kicker Brett Maher was hoping to make a good first impression with his new team after his nightmare postseason with the Dallas Cowboys a season ago, it didn’t happen.
The Broncos opened up their preseason on Friday night against the Arizona Cardinals. Denver got a good scoring opportunity in the first quarter when Rahim Moore intercepted a pass from Arizona’s Clayton Tune, setting the Broncos up on the plus side of the field. Denver’s drive sputtered. But if there was one positive, Maher got to try his first preseason kick with the Broncos.
That could have been a positive takeaway. But Maher’s field goal attempt was no good. It was a 47-yarder, so it wasn’t a chip shot. But it was also never close.
Brett Maher had a disastrous postseason for the Cowboys last year.
His first FG attempt for the Denver Broncos doesn't go much better. pic.twitter.com/zUCdXyBHaj
— The Comeback (@thecomeback) August 12, 2023
That brought back strong memories of Maher’s struggles last January.
This is such a good bit https://t.co/UTalQ5CQ7l
— Ed Zitron (@edzitron) August 12, 2023
Brett Maher missed the FG. Uh oh.
— Zac Stevens (@ZacStevensDNVR) August 12, 2023
this dude is finished 💀💀 https://t.co/MTV0EQj8S3
— alex 2 🏀 (@OwnedByMiller) August 12, 2023
Broncos O-line not looking great so far
…and Maher misses 🤦
— MileHighReport (@MileHighReport) August 12, 2023
bless his heart https://t.co/6mOvvlfNz7
— katie dzwierzynski (@kdzwierzynski) August 12, 2023
Maher misses wide right. I still contend the Broncos kicker will be found at the waiver wire.
— Vic Lombardi (@VicLombardi) August 12, 2023
The idea that the Broncos may need to find their kicker on the waiver wire gained even more credibility on the next possession.
After a drive stalled, Denver again lined up for a field goal attempt. This time, it was a 50-yard attempt from Maher’s competitor, Elliott Fry.
It did not go well, either.
Elliott Fry gets his first chance at a field goal and…it doesn’t go much better. pic.twitter.com/amQY79uerj
— The Comeback (@thecomeback) August 12, 2023
Elliott Fry vs Brett Maher fighting for the starting kicker role pic.twitter.com/aiqI032MU7
— Bryce 🎸 (@MileHighMims) August 12, 2023
There were more kicking issues later in the game. This one came from Arizona’s kicker — and former Bronco — Matt Prater.
Two current Broncos kickers have missed field goals tonight in Arizona.
Let's check in with a former Broncos kicker, Matt Prater. pic.twitter.com/BdU23PjSQw
— The Comeback (@thecomeback) August 12, 2023
As we saw during Super Bowl LVII, the field at Arizona’s State Farm Stadium is not known for its pristine conditions, especially for kickers. Considering that, and the misses from Fry and Prater, we can probably cut Maher some slack.
That said, this is the last thing anyone with the Broncos wanted to see in Maher’s preseason debut with the team.
[Photo Credit: NFL Network]
