Sports

Patriots' Andy Borregales Enters Year 2 With No Competition and a Big Kick Behind Him

By Hector Longo Athlon Sports

Updated July 9, 2026 7:59 AM

Jun 9, 2025; Foxborough, MA, USA; New England Patriots place kicker Andres Borregales (36) walks to the practice fields at Gillette Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Eric Canha-Imagn Images Mandatory Credit&colon; Eric Canha-Imagn Images

There were stumbles along the way for Andres "Andy" Borregales as a rookie kicker for the New England Patriots.

Coach Mike Vrabel never wavered on the 2025 sixth-round draft choice out of Miami.

Clutch game-winner at Denver

Ultimately, under less than pleasurable weather conditions, Borregales, the South Florida kid, would provide the only second-half points – the game-deciding third-quarter field goal to propel the Patriots past Denver, 10-7, in the AFC championship game.

In all, playoffs and regular season, Borregales finished at 31 of 38 in field goals and 60 of 62 on PATs – numbers the Patriots and he would feel comfortable building on.

New England Patriots place kicker Andres Borregales (36) and New England Patriots place kicker John Parker Romo (37) wait for the start of a drill during 2025 minicamp at Gillette Stadium. There is no competition in camp this time around for Borregales. Eric Canha-Imagn Images Eric Canha-Imagn Images

In an absolute vote of confidence, the kicker will come to training camp on July 24 with no competition on the 90-man roster. Now 23, he's ready to reward Vrabel and the Patriots for their confidence.

"I'm really just trying to be better than the day before. Every day, trying to give myself a challenge, just to be better," said Borregales during OTAs in late May. "I tell myself that even though I may not be in a competition, I'm in a competition with myself. I just keep that hunger mentality -- just keep striving to get better."

Ready to move forward

Looking back on his rookie year, Borregales knows he can be better moving forward.

"I learned a lot. The biggest thing is don't get too low. Don't get too high. Just stay neutral," he said.

"You're going to have big moments. You're going to have low moments. At the end of the day, it's all part of the game, just keep moving forward."

Miami place kicker Andy Borregales (PK01) attempts a field goal during workouts at the 2025 NFL Scouting Combine at Lucas Oil Stadium. Kirby Lee-Imagn Images Kirby Lee-Imagn Images

Borregales lived up to the hype coming out of college when it comes to his strong leg.

In 2025, during the regular season he was four for four from outside the 50.

"For me, it's just accuracy and it's especially just ball flight," said Borregales of his off-season focus. "Wind or conditions, making sure that ball flight is clean enough that no matter what wind, it's not going to go one way, and the next thing you know the ball is 20 yards to the left or right. Just keep that ball flight nice and straight."

This story was originally published July 9, 2026 at 7:50 AM.