Washington Commanders place kicker Drew Stevens (19) kicks the ball during an NFL preseason football game against the Miami Dolphins on Friday in Landover, Md.
Associated Press
ASHBURN, Va. — Former Iowa football kicker Drew Stevens got the call from Washington Commanders special teams coordinator Larry Izzo on Monday.
Fresh off his NFL preseason debut against the Miami Dolphins, the Commanders had to make a decision about the kicker position battle. Does Washington go with Jake Moody, who the organization signed in the offseason after time with the Chicago Bears and San Francisco 49ers last year, or undrafted rookie Stevens?
Izzo let Stevens know he earned the job, making the news official Aug. 18.
“Honestly it kind of feels the same way that I have been feeling in terms of the way I’ve approached it,” Stevens said during training camp Tuesday morning. “But it feels good, I don’t really know how much more to say than that.”
The former Hawkeye holds Iowa’s program record for total field goals made (76), most 50-plus-yard field goals (12) and longest field goal (58 yards). He’s second in scored career points (352 points), and set the Iowa freshman record with 16 made field goals.
Stevens went undrafted in the 2026 NFL Draft, but signed with the Commanders shortly after the draft ended. Just a few months later, he earned his first starting job in the NFL.
“Coach Izzo called me on the phone and told me, and it was crazy because I was not expecting it at all,” Stevens said. “But I mean, shoot, this is my first rodeo, I’m just trying to play good on the field.”
The Commanders have two more preseason games before the season begins Sept. 13 against the Philadelphia Eagles. Washington struggled to find a long-term answer as a kicker, using seven players at that position in just the last two seasons.
Head coach Dan Quinn is hoping the former Hawkeye can end that problem in D.C. It’s a team that hasn’t had a kicker who could make a 60-yard attempt since 2023.
Stevens said he’s been getting used to the difference between collegiate and pro field goal attempts, but it hasn’t affected how he prepares every kick.
He knows the mental side of the game is especially important. It’s how Stevens can become the answer the Commanders have been searching for.
“I haven’t changed anything,” Stevens said. “I’m still sticking to what I believe is going to work. I’m not lacking conviction in certain areas, I’m just believing that my thing is going to be good enough.”
Now, Quinn wants Stevens to kick as much as possible moving forward.
“I thought Drew established himself,” Quinn said. “I thought he’s kicking it pure and clean, so it’s important for him to have the next two games were he gets all the kicks, all the moments. It was a good competition, but I thought Drew earned it, and now we’re moving forward.”