Gregory Zuerlein, born on December 27, 1987, in Lincoln, Nebraska, is a professional American football placekicker who has played in the National Football League since 2012. Known for his exceptional leg strength and ability to make long-distance field goals, Zuerlein earned the nickname “Greg The Leg” early in his career. He played college football at the University of Nebraska Omaha and Missouri Western State University before being drafted by the St. Louis Rams in the sixth round of the 2012 NFL Draft. Zuerlein has established himself as one of the most reliable kickers in the league, earning Pro Bowl and First-team All-Pro honors in 2017. He has played for the Rams, Dallas Cowboys, and New York Jets throughout his career.
Gregory Zuerlein Bio
Gregory Zuerlein is a professional American football placekicker with over a decade of experience in the NFL. Standing 6 feet 0 inches tall and weighing 195 pounds, he has built a reputation as a powerful kicker capable of making field goals from extraordinary distances. His journey from high school record-setter in Nebraska to NFL veteran demonstrates his consistent ability to perform at the highest levels of football. Zuerlein has been instrumental in numerous comeback victories and playoff runs throughout his career, showcasing his clutch performances when games are on the line.
Early Life and Background
Zuerlein was born in Lincoln, Nebraska, and graduated from Lincoln Pius X High School in 2006. During his junior year in 2004, he set a Nebraska state record for field goals in a single season, converting 12 of 16 attempts with a long kick of 52 yards. His exceptional performance earned him Nebraska All-State and All-Class honors as both a junior and senior. Beyond football, he also practiced soccer and was recognized as a 2005 Sports Illustrated preseason high school All-American, demonstrating his athletic versatility.
Path to Professional Football
Zuerlein accepted a football scholarship from the NCAA Division II University of Nebraska Omaha. As a sophomore in 2008, he established a school record with 61 consecutive extra points made. During his junior year in 2009, he set multiple school records including 17 field goals in a single season and a career-long 52-yard field goal against West Texas A&M University in the Kanza Bowl. After receiving a medical redshirt due to a hip injury in 2010, he transferred to Missouri Western State University in 2011 when UNO discontinued its football program. At Missouri Western, he set the NCAA Division II record with 21 consecutive field goals, including nine kicks beyond 50 yards. His remarkable .952 field goal percentage (23 of 24 attempts) ranked highest among all NCAA players with 12 or more attempts that season. These achievements earned him MIAA Special Teams Player of the Year, three All-MIAA selections, and Division II Coaches All-America honors.
Gregory Zuerlein Career
St. Louis Rams (2012-2019)
Zuerlein was selected by the St. Louis Rams in the sixth round (171st overall) of the 2012 NFL Draft. He became the first non-Football Bowl Subdivision kicker drafted since 2006. In his debut against the Detroit Lions, he converted three field goals in the 27-23 loss. During his rookie season, he made history by becoming the first player in NFL history to make a 60-yard field goal and a 50-plus yarder in the same game. He earned NFC Special Teams Player of the Week twice that season, including a 54-yard overtime field goal against the San Francisco 49ers that proved to be the second longest successful field goal in NFL overtime history at that time.
Zuerlein continued his strong performances in subsequent seasons. In 2013, he converted 26 of 28 field goal attempts. The following year, he earned his third NFC Special Teams Player of the Week award after converting all five field goal attempts against the Denver Broncos. When the Rams relocated to Los Angeles before the 2016 season, Zuerlein signed a one-year contract to remain with the team.
2017 Breakthrough and Rams Success
The 2017 season marked Zuerlein’s most accomplished year. He signed a three-year contract extension in March and went on to earn Pro Bowl and First-team All-Pro honors. In Week 6 against the Dallas Cowboys, he broke the Rams franchise record by going 7 for 7 on field goal attempts, earning him NFC Special Teams Player of the Week. He led the league in scoring with 158 points and received NFC Special Teams Player of the Month awards for both October and November. Though placed on injured reserve with a back injury in December, his 2017 campaign established him among the league’s elite kickers.
In the 2018 season, Zuerlein earned NFC Special Teams Player of the Week in the opener against the Raiders, converting four of five field goals including a 55-yarder on Monday Night Football. He helped the Rams win the NFC West and secure the number two seed in the NFC Playoffs. The Rams’ playoff run included a Divisional Round victory over the Cowboys and a historic NFC Championship Game against the New Orleans Saints.
Rams to Super Bowl
In the 2019 NFC Championship Game against the Saints, Zuerlein delivered a legendary performance, hitting all four of his field goal attempts. This included a 48-yard field goal near the end of regulation to force overtime and a 57-yard game-winning kick in sudden death, which tied the NFL record for longest successful field goal in overtime. In Super Bowl LIII against the New England Patriots, he made a 53-yard field goal but missed a 48-yarder late in the game as the Rams fell 13-3. He completed the 2019 season converting 24 of 33 field goal attempts and all 42 extra point attempts.
Dallas Cowboys (2020-2021)
On March 30, 2020, Zuerlein signed a three-year, $7.5 million contract with the Dallas Cowboys. He led the league with a career-high 41 field goal attempts in 2020, converting 34. His signature moment came against the Atlanta Falcons when he kicked a 46-yard field goal to win as time expired in a dramatic comeback from a 20-0 deficit. He also executed an onside kick that sparked the rally, a technique that became known as the “Watermelon Kick.”
After undergoing back surgery during the 2021 offseason, Zuerlein struggled with consistency. He made a 56-yard field goal to win against the Los Angeles Chargers in Week 2 and forced overtime with a 49-yard kick against the New England Patriots in Week 6. However, he missed multiple kicks throughout the season and was placed on the Reserve/COVID-19 list in November. He finished 2021 converting 29 of 35 field goal attempts and 42 of 48 extra point attempts. The Cowboys released him on March 11, 2022.
New York Jets (2022-Present)
On March 26, 2022, Zuerlein signed a one-year contract with the New York Jets and won the starting placekicker competition during the preseason. In his first season, he tied a club record with a 57-yard field goal twice and set a new franchise record with a 60-yarder against the Minnesota Vikings in Week 13. He became the first Jets kicker to make three 50-plus yard field goals in consecutive games and finished with 30 of 37 field goals and 28 of 29 extra points.
Re-signing with the Jets in March 2023, Zuerlein enjoyed his best season in franchise history. He earned AFC Special Teams Player of the Week honors in Week 5 after making all five field goal attempts against the Denver Broncos for 17 points. He converted 92.1 percent of field goal attempts (35 of 38), set a club record with 26 consecutive field goals made, and ranked fourth in the league in touchback percentage at 90.6 percent. He was named a Pro Bowl alternate.
In March 2024, Zuerlein re-signed with the Jets on a two-year deal. The 2024 season proved challenging as he struggled with consistency. He missed a potential game-winning 50-yard field goal in Week 4 against the Broncos and was placed on injured reserve with a knee injury in October. He was activated in December but placed on injured reserve again at the end of the month after playing only eight games. He completed the season making 60 percent of his field goal attempts (9 of 15), his lowest conversion rate of his career.
Driving Style and Strengths
Zuerlein is renowned for his exceptional leg strength, which allows him to attempt and convert field goals from distances beyond 50 yards with remarkable consistency. Throughout his career, he has demonstrated the ability to deliver clutch kicks in high-pressure situations, including multiple game-winning field goals and playoff performances. His powerful kicks have also generated a high volume of touchbacks, ranking among the league leaders in that category during several seasons.
Notable Events and Milestones
Zuerlein’s career includes several signature moments, from his record-setting 60-yard field goal as a rookie to his overtime heroics in the 2019 NFC Championship Game. He has earned NFC Special Teams Player of the Week six times during his career and led the NFL in scoring during the 2017 season. His 57-yard field goal tied a Jets franchise record, and his 60-yarder set a new franchise best. His powerful kicking ability earned him the nicknames “Greg The Leg” and “Legatron” during his early career with the Rams.
Gregory Zuerlein Career Wins
Throughout his NFL career, Zuerlein has established himself as one of the most productive kickers in league history with 338 career field goals made across regular seasons with the Rams, Cowboys, and Jets. His ability to convert long field goals and perform in crucial moments has made him a valuable asset for multiple franchises.
NFL Highlights
Zuerlein has made 338 of 411 career field goal attempts (82.2 percent) with a long kick of 61 yards. His most prolific season came in 2017 when he led the NFL in scoring with 158 points while earning First-team All-Pro and Pro Bowl honors. He has consistently converted at high rates throughout his career, including a 92.1 percent success rate during his standout 2023 season with the Jets.
Other Achievements
Beyond his NFL success, Zuerlein holds numerous college records at the Division II level, including the NCAA Division II record of 21 consecutive field goals at Missouri Western State University. He earned multiple All-MIAA selections and was named MIAA Special Teams Player of the Year during his collegiate career.
| Competition | Field Goals Made | Field Goals Attempted | Percentage |
|---|---|---|---|
| NFL Regular Season | 338 | 411 | 82.2 |
Gregory Zuerlein Family
Family Background
Zuerlein grew up in Lincoln, Nebraska, where his exceptional kicking abilities first emerged at Lincoln Pius X High School. His journey through college football included a transfer following the discontinuation of the UNO football program, demonstrating his resilience and adaptability in pursuing his professional dreams.
Personal Life
Zuerlein is married to Megan Zuerlein, and together they have five children. The family resides in the Dallas area when not traveling for football. Known for his strong Catholic faith, Zuerlein maintains a balanced life between his professional career and family responsibilities. His powerful kicking ability earned him the nicknames “The Leg” and “Legatron” throughout his football career.
2025 Season Outlook
The 2025 season marks a new chapter for Zuerlein as he enters free agency following his release by the New York Jets after three seasons. The 2024 campaign was hampered by injuries, limiting him to just eight games with a 60 percent field goal conversion rate, his lowest career figure. Despite the challenging season, Zuerlein’s proven track record of durability and production throughout his 13-year NFL career suggests he can still contribute as a reliable placekicker. Teams seeking an experienced kicker with a powerful leg and playoff experience may view him as a valuable addition for the 2025 season and beyond.