Philadelphia Eagles kicker Jake Elliott insists his recent struggles are not a mental issue, even as he works through the most difficult stretch of his career.
Elliott, once considered one of the most reliable long-distance kickers in the NFL, has now missed seven field goals over his last nine games. Still, he pushed back strongly against the idea that he is dealing with the yips following Saturday night's win over Washington.
"No, honestly, not at all," Elliott said after the game. "That's kind of what's frustrating about it. I don't feel like that at all. I almost wish it was, because that would be easier to fix. This is something I have to really dive into, watch the film, and clean up. No one is harder on themselves than I am."
The misses were noticeable again against the Commanders. Elliott failed on three attempts, two of which counted, including pulls from 52 and 43 yards. A 57-yard make was wiped out by a penalty, only adding to the frustration on what should have been a confidence-building night.
Despite the struggles, head coach Nick Sirianni made it clear there is no intention to bring in competition ahead of the playoffs.
"No," Sirianni said Monday. "I have a lot of confidence in Jake. I love the roster the way it is. I know who he is, I know how he works, and I know he'll bounce back from whatever setbacks he's facing."
Elliott's track record gives the Eagles reason to stay patient. He will turn 31 in January, still well within the prime years for NFL kickers. After entering the league as an undrafted rookie, Elliott quickly built a reputation for clutch moments, including a game-winning 61-yard field goal against the Giants in 2017 that helped spark Philadelphia's Super Bowl LII run.
He later set a franchise record with 31 made field goals from 50 yards or longer. Even during last season's turbulence, Elliott steadied himself in the postseason, going 10-for-11 in the playoffs and drilling a 50-yarder in the Super Bowl.
Sirianni emphasized that perspective matters during moments like this.
"I think Jake always has a great process during the week," Sirianni said. "It's important for everyone to know they're loved and appreciated, especially when things aren't perfect. He's had a career full of highs, and like any player, there are stretches of struggle. Every time I've seen him face that, he's risen out of it."
Near the end of the locker-room availability, Elliott addressed Eagles fans directly, offering an apology for the missed kicks and providing insight into what may be affecting his long-range accuracy.
"I owe our fans better, especially on those long attempts," Elliott said. "I take full responsibility for the misses. The conditions haven't been easy lately. The colder air, heavier balls late in games, and some inconsistencies in my plant foot timing have made those longer kicks tougher than usual. That's not an excuse, but it's something I'm working through."
Elliott added that he remains confident the issues are correctable and believes the work he's putting in will show when it matters most.
"I've been here before, and I know how to get out of it," he said. "I'm locked in on fixing it, and I promise our fans I'll be ready when we need it most."