Greg Zuerlein is ready for a kicking competition with Kai Forbath

The Dallas Cowboys did something that left a lot of people scratching their heads this free agency season when they signed two kickers, one old and one new. Dallas brought back kicker Kai Forbath who went 10 of 10 on both field goals and extra points through three games in 2018. In the lead-up to free agency, there were reports that the Cowboys had interest in the kicking game beyond Forbath, specifically with regards to Greg Zuerlein.

Zuerlein is someone that new special teams coordinator John Fassel knows from his days working with the Rams (both in St. Louis and Los Angeles). We’ve speculated before as to how Zuerlein ultimately landed with America’s Team and a lot of it may have had to do with Michael Brockers.

Whatever the course of action that led to Zuerlein becoming a Cowboy ultimately doesn’t mean anything as he is, in fact, part of the team. With he and Forbath both as options for Fassel’s special teams, there is obviously going to be a competition.

Dallas hasn’t really had a kicking competition to look forward to in the lead-up to a season in some time. Of course, the Cowboys had a competition of sorts going on in 2018 before they ultimately released Dan Bailey, but this time it is well-known.

This seems to be the case for Zuerlein himself as he can see what we all can. His three-year deal might imply that the job is his, but that doesn’t mean that he doesn’t have to go earn it.

“I know Kai from having him come in and working out at the Rams’ facility in the past, and he’s a great guy,” Zuerlein told 103.3 KESN-FM, via the Dallas Morning News. “I look forward to being around him, learning from him. And hopefully, we have a good competition. Ideally, I win. I wouldn’t have signed here if I didn’t think I ... I mean, you go anywhere and expect to win the job if you have any sort of confidence at all.

”I just look forward to being around him. I’ve been with other kickers in camp, and there’s never any animosity. Kickers get along very well. You go out, kick, and let the kicking speak for itself. Friendships don’t have to get in the way of a job. The rest is up for the coaches to decide.”

It’s nice to see that Zuerlein doesn’t view the situation as one that has to be volatile, but this could just be him being political. Kai Forbath is obviously no stranger to having to earn his keep as it took until past Thanksgiving last year for the Cowboys to finally give him a shot.

Once again, Zuerlein was given a three-year deal by the Cowboys which suggests that something unforeseen would have to happen for the job to not be his. Can Kai Forbath do it?