The world of NFL kicking has been turned upside down, and the record books are being rewritten with each passing season. The latest chapter in this story is the incredible 68-yard field goal by Cam Little of the Jacksonville Jaguars, a kick that has sent shockwaves through the league and left fans and experts alike wondering what's next.
What makes this particularly fascinating is the context in which it occurred. Just over 20,000 days after Tom Dempsey's iconic 63-yarder, a record that stood for decades, Little stepped up and broke it with a kick that seemed to defy gravity. And he's not alone in this new era of kicking excellence.
The New Breed of Kickers
When Cam Little says his record won't last long, he's not being modest. He's acknowledging the presence of a new breed of kickers in the NFL, athletes with legs that seem to have no limits. Guys like Brandon Aubrey, Jake Bates, and Harrison Butker are pushing the boundaries of what was once considered possible.
Personally, I think it's a testament to the specialization and dedication these athletes have. They're not just kickers; they're specialists, and their training and focus are yielding incredible results. It's a far cry from the days when a 60-yard kick was a rarity.
The Long-Range Revolution
The numbers don't lie. In 2025 alone, there were a staggering 12 field goals of 60-plus yards in the NFL. Compare that to the nine such kicks between Dempsey's record in 1960 and Prater's in 2013, and you get a sense of the shift. Long-range kicking is no longer a novelty; it's becoming the norm.
What many people don't realize is that this isn't just about physical ability. It's a mental game too. Kickers have to have the confidence and composure to step up and attempt these kicks, knowing full well that a miss could be costly. It's a high-pressure situation, and these guys are delivering time and time again.
The Next Frontier: 70 Yards and Beyond
If you take a step back and think about it, the progression is clear. From Dempsey's 63-yarder to Prater's 64-yarder, and now Little's 68-yarder, the records are falling at an increasing rate. It raises the question: where does it end? Or, more accurately, where does it begin?
A detail that I find especially interesting is that Little first made headlines in the 2025 preseason by converting a 70-yarder. It suggests that the 70-yard barrier is within reach, and it might just be a matter of time before we see it happen in a regular-season game. Little himself seems confident, and with good reason.
A New Era of Kicking Excellence
The NFL is witnessing a golden age of kicking, and it's an exciting time for fans of the sport. These kickers are rewriting the rules, and their achievements are a testament to the evolution of the game. As we look ahead to the 2026 season, one thing is clear: records are made to be broken, and the sky might just be the limit for these modern-day kicking phenoms.
In my opinion, it's a fascinating development, and I can't wait to see what the future holds for these athletes and the sport as a whole.
