Miami game a homecoming for new Jets kicker Eddy Piñeiro

Miami native Eddy Piñeiro’s friends and family will be cheering him on from the stands at Hard Rock Stadium in Sunday’s divisional showdown against the Dolphins—all 150 of them.

In his debut last week, Piñeiro accounted for all of the Jets scoring in a 30-9 loss to the Saints, making his three field goal attempts of 36, 46 and 36 yards. He said he knew if he performed well, he’d have an opportunity to play in Miami.

“I was able to get 20 tickets, and the rest of my family and friends had to buy tickets on their own, but I tried,” Piñeiro said, laughing.

Born to Cuban and Nicaraguan immigrants, Piñeiro said he has a large family on both his mother’s and father’s side. His father, Eddy Piñeiro Sr., came to the United States at the age of 9 during the Mariel Boatlift of 1980. Family is extremely important to Piñeiro, and the chance to compete in his hometown, he said, is a dream come true.

His performance against the Saints was his first game since the 2019 season, when he kicked for the Chicago Bears. He made 23 of the 28 field goals he attempted (82.1%) and 27 of the 29 extra-point attempts he took (93%).

Piñeiro missed the 2020 season with a groin injury, then was signed and waived by both the Indianapolis Colts and Washington Football Team in the past seven months. During that time, he also underwent a core muscle surgery.

“I am super grateful for the opportunity to get a shot to play again,” Piñero said. “I had surgery about four months ago, so coming back from that, I feel healthy. Finally in my career, I feel super healthy and feel good, so I am happy about that.”

His family never missed a game when he was with Chicago, making the drive from Miami every time. It was too expensive to fly everyone, he said, so they would rent a car and make the trek to support Piñeiro. If things continue to go well, they’ll likely be making similar trips to MetLife Stadium.

Piñero is the third kicker to play for the Jets this season. Matt Ammendola, now back on the practice squad, lasted 11 games. After going 13-of-19 overall (68.4%) and missing five field goals in a six-game stretch, he was pitted against Alex Kessman in a competition during practice last week.

Kessman beat Ammendola out for the job, but botched his opportunity against the Eagles. He missed the first two extra-point attempts in his NFL debut and never returned to the field. The Jets signed Piñero the following day.

Could Piñero be the answer to the Jets’ kicking woes?

“You want to be able to take some pressure off the quarterback, in terms of not having to go for it on fourth down so many times,” Jets head coach Robert Saleh said. “So, I thought Eddy did a really nice job stepping in their making his three kicks, great consistent ball flight. So, hopefully, you know he has another good week.”

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Joey Chandler may be reached at [email protected]