Greg Zuerlein Bio
Gregory Zuerlein, born on December 27, 1987, in Lincoln, Nebraska, is an American professional football placekicker recognized for his powerful leg and accuracy in the National Football League (NFL). A native of Lincoln, Nebraska, he played college football for the Nebraska–Omaha Mavericks and the Missouri Western Griffons before launching a long professional career. He has suited up for the St. Louis/Los Angeles Rams, the Dallas Cowboys, and the New York Jets, earning the nicknames “The Leg,” “Greg The Leg,” and “Legatron” for his strong kicking ability. Zuerlein’s career has been marked by record-breaking field goals, Pro Bowl recognition, and one of the most memorable overtime kicks in recent NFL history.
Standing 6 feet 0 inches tall and weighing 194 pounds, Zuerlein combines size and technique to deliver consistent performance under pressure. He is married to Megan Zuerlein, with whom he shares five children, and the couple are known for their devout Catholic faith. Over more than a decade in the league, Zuerlein has established himself as one of the most reliable kickers of his era, contributing to division titles, conference championships, and a Super Bowl appearance.
Early Life and Background
Zuerlein was born and raised in Lincoln, Nebraska, where he attended Lincoln Pius X High School, graduating in 2006. As a junior in 2004, he set a Nebraska state record for field goals in a single season, converting 12 of 16 attempts with a long of 52 yards. His successful play earned him Nebraska All-State and All-Class honors in both his junior and senior seasons. In addition to football, Zuerlein was an accomplished soccer player, and his versatility across kicking disciplines helped shape his future trajectory.
Beyond athletics, Zuerlein was recognized nationally for his soccer talent, being named a 2005 Sports Illustrated preseason high school All-American. This dual-sport background contributed to his excellent footwork, balance, and leg strength, qualities that would later define his professional kicking style. His upbringing in Lincoln, a city with a strong football culture, provided a supportive environment for his athletic development and laid the foundation for his future success at the collegiate level.
Path to Professional Football
Zuerlein accepted a football scholarship from the University of Nebraska Omaha, an NCAA Division II program. As a sophomore in 2008, he set a school record with 61 consecutive extra points made, showcasing his consistency early in his college career. During his junior year in 2009, he established school records with 17 field goals in a single season and 131 career extra points, while also making a 52-yard field goal against West Texas A&M University in the Kanza Bowl. He finished that season just nine field goals shy of the school’s all-time career record.
As a senior in 2010, Zuerlein was granted a medical redshirt due to a hip injury. The following year, the University of Nebraska Omaha canceled its football program, forcing him to transfer to Missouri Western State University, another Mid-America Intercollegiate Athletics Association (MIAA) school. At Missouri Western, he set the NCAA Division II record with 21 consecutive field goals, nine of which came from beyond 50 yards. He also set a school record with a 58-yard field goal against Northwest Missouri State University twice, finishing the 2011 season with a .952 field goal percentage (23 of 24) and earning All-MIAA, MIAA Special Teams Player of the Year, and Little All-American honors. These performances drew the attention of NFL scouts, leading to his selection in the 2012 NFL Draft.
Greg Zuerlein Career
Early Career (2012)
Zuerlein was selected by the St. Louis Rams in the sixth round (171st overall) of the 2012 NFL Draft, making him the first non-Football Bowl Subdivision kicker to be drafted since Stephen Gostkowski in 2006. The Rams released veteran kicker Josh Brown the same weekend to clear a path for Zuerlein, signaling their confidence in his abilities. He made his NFL debut in the season opener against the Detroit Lions, converting two extra points and three field goals in a narrow 27–23 loss.
His rookie season quickly turned historic. In Week 3 against the Chicago Bears, he made a 56-yard field goal, the longest at Soldier Field at the time. In Week 4 against the Seattle Seahawks, he hit a 60-yard field goal, breaking Jeff Wilkins’ 14-year franchise record after having set a new mark of 58 yards earlier in the same game. Zuerlein became the first player in NFL history to make a 60-yard field goal and a 50-plus yarder in the same game, earning NFC Special Teams Player of the Week honors. In Week 13, he drilled a 54-yard field goal with 26 seconds remaining in overtime to defeat the San Francisco 49ers 16–13, the second-longest successful field goal in NFL overtime history. He finished his rookie year converting all 26 extra point attempts and 23 of 31 field goal attempts.
St. Louis/Los Angeles Rams Breakthrough (2012–2019)
From 2013 through 2015, Zuerlein remained a reliable presence for the Rams, converting 34 of 35 extra points and 24 of 30 field goal attempts in 2014, and earning another NFC Special Teams Player of the Week award in 2014 after going five-for-five against the Denver Broncos. The Rams moved from St. Louis to Los Angeles prior to the 2016 season, and Zuerlein signed a one-year contract to remain with the team. That year, he converted all 23 extra point attempts and 19 of 22 field goal attempts, though the offense’s struggles limited his scoring opportunities to a career-low 80 points.
The 2017 season marked the peak of Zuerlein’s career with the Rams. He signed a three-year contract extension in March and went on to break the franchise record for most field goals in a single game, going 7-for-7 against the Dallas Cowboys in a 35–30 upset victory, earning NFC Special Teams Player of the Week for the fourth time. He later received NFC Special Teams Player of the Month honors for both October and November, was named to his first Pro Bowl, and was selected as a First-team All-Pro. He finished the season leading the league in scoring with 158 points and 11.3 points per game, cementing his reputation as one of the NFL’s premier kickers.
In 2018, Zuerlein continued his strong form, earning his sixth career NFC Special Teams Player of the Week award after converting four of five field goals, including a 55-yarder, in a Monday Night Football win over the Oakland Raiders. The Rams won the NFC West and earned the No. 2 seed in the NFC Playoffs. In the Divisional Round, he helped defeat the Cowboys, and in the 2019 NFC Championship Game against the New Orleans Saints, he hit a 48-yard field goal to send the game to overtime and a 57-yard field goal to win it, tying the record for the longest successful field goal in NFL overtime history. The victory sent the Rams to Super Bowl LIII, where Zuerlein made a 53-yard field goal late in the third quarter but missed a potential 48-yard kick in the final seconds of a 13–3 loss to the New England Patriots. In the 2019 regular season, he converted 24 of 33 field goal attempts and all 42 extra point attempts before departing the Rams.
Dallas Cowboys Era (2020–2021)
On March 30, 2020, the Dallas Cowboys signed Zuerlein to a three-year, $7.5 million contract, reuniting him with former Rams special teams coordinator John Fassel. His first season in Dallas featured both inconsistency and heroics. After a slow start, he capped off a historic comeback against the Atlanta Falcons by kicking a 46-yard field goal as time expired to win 40–39, a play that became known as the “Watermelon Kick.” Overall, he converted 34 of a league-leading 41 field goal attempts (82.9%) and 33 of 36 extra point attempts, though six of his seven misses came from beyond 50 yards.
Back surgery limited his 2021 preseason, and he battled inconsistency throughout the year. Despite the struggles, he delivered a 56-yard game-winner against the Los Angeles Chargers in Week 2 and a 49-yard kick in the rain to force overtime against the New England Patriots in Week 6. He also converted a career-high eight extra points in Week 16. Overall, he finished 29 of 35 on field goals (82.9%) and 42 of 48 on extra points (87.5%), but missed a league-leading six extra points. The Cowboys released him on March 11, 2022, in a salary cap move after he played 32 regular-season games, missing at least one kick in 15 of them.
New York Jets Era (2022–2024)
On March 26, 2022, Zuerlein signed a one-year contract with the New York Jets, beating out Eddy Piñeiro for the placekicker job in the preseason. He made an immediate impact, tying a club record with a 57-yard field goal in both Week 2 and Week 12, and setting the franchise record for the longest field goal made with a 60-yarder against the Minnesota Vikings in Week 13. He became the first Jet to make three 50-plus-yard field goals in back-to-back games, finishing the season 30 of 37 on field goals (81.1%) and 28 of 29 on extra points (96.6%).
Zuerlein re-signed with the Jets on March 16, 2023, for another year. In Week 5 against the Denver Broncos, he went 5-for-5 on field goals and made both extra points, totaling 17 points and earning AFC Special Teams Player of the Week honors. He played in 16 games and delivered the best statistical season by a kicker in franchise history, converting 92.1% of his field goal attempts (35 of 38) and 15 of 16 extra points, including 5 of 6 from 50-plus yards. He set a club record with 26 consecutive field goals made, tied for the NFL lead with four game-tying or game-winning field goals, ranked fourth in the league in touchback percentage (90.6%), and was named a Pro Bowl alternate.
On March 16, 2024, Zuerlein signed a two-year deal to return to the Jets. A Week 4 miss from 50 yards in the rain against the Broncos cost the Jets a chance at a 3–1 start, and a left knee injury later landed him on injured reserve on October 30. He was activated on December 28, then placed back on injured reserve on December 31 after playing in only eight games. He finished 2024 with 9 of 15 field goals (60%) and 13 of 14 extra points (93%), the worst statistical season of his career. On May 16, 2025, the Jets released him after three seasons.
Notable Events and Milestones
Zuerlein’s career is highlighted by several signature moments, including his 57-yard overtime kick against the San Francisco 49ers in the 2019 NFC Championship Game, which sent the Rams to Super Bowl LIII. He is the first player in NFL history to make a 60-yard field goal and a 50-plus yarder in the same game, a feat he accomplished as a rookie in 2012. He also set the Jets’ franchise record for the longest field goal with a 60-yarder in 2022 and led the NFL in scoring with 158 points during his 2017 First-team All-Pro season.
Greg Zuerlein Career Wins
Throughout his NFL career, Greg Zuerlein has contributed to numerous team victories through clutch field goals and consistent extra-point production. His most celebrated wins include the 2019 NFC Championship Game overtime victory over the New Orleans Saints, the dramatic 2020 comeback win over the Atlanta Falcons capped by the “Watermelon Kick,” and multiple game-winning field goals for the New York Jets in 2023. He has earned multiple NFC and AFC Special Teams Player of the Week honors across his career, reflecting his impact in close contests.
Greg Zuerlein Family
Family Background and Racing Lineage
Greg Zuerlein’s immediate family details are not widely documented in public sources, though his upbringing in Lincoln, Nebraska, played a central role in his athletic development. He is married to Megan Zuerlein, and the couple are devout Catholics. Together, they have five children. His family’s support has been a constant throughout his college and professional journey, from his high school record-setting days at Lincoln Pius X to his multi-city NFL career.
Personal Life
Zuerlein and his wife Megan are known for their strong Catholic faith and their commitment to family life. The couple has five children, and Zuerlein has often spoken about the role his family plays in keeping him grounded amid the demands of an NFL schedule. Off the field, he is recognized for his humility and dedication to his craft, traits that have earned him the respect of teammates and coaches throughout his career.
2025 Season Outlook
Following his release by the New York Jets on May 16, 2025, Greg Zuerlein entered the 2025 season as a free agent. After three seasons with the Jets that included a franchise-best 92.1% field goal conversion rate in 2023 and a difficult injury-marred 2024 campaign, Zuerlein now seeks a new opportunity to continue his NFL career. At 37 years old, he brings more than a decade of professional experience, including a Pro Bowl selection, First-team All-Pro honors, and an NFC scoring title in 2017.
Should he sign with a team in 2025, Zuerlein’s primary appeal would be his track record of clutch performances, including game-winning overtime kicks in the regular season and postseason. His ability to convert from long range, demonstrated by his 60-yard record with the Rams and Jets, makes him a valuable asset for teams seeking a veteran kicker. However, questions about his health and consistency following his 2024 knee injuries may shape the level of interest he draws on the open market.
As the 2025 NFL season approaches, Zuerlein’s future remains uncertain, but his resume, featuring 158 points scored in 2017, six career NFC Special Teams Player of the Week awards, and a Super Bowl appearance, ensures he will be a notable name whenever kicker-needy teams assess their options. Whether he returns to the field or transitions into a different role, his place among the most accomplished placekickers of his generation is well established.