Week 2: Austin Seibert, Washington Commanders

photo courtesy washington commanders

Washington Commanders kicker Austin Seibert, who set a franchise record with seven field goals in his debut with the team, has been named the DC Touchdown Club Pro Football Player of the Week after booting the Commanders to a 21-18 win over the New York Giants this past Sunday.

Out of work one week ago and practicing on a vacant lot next door to his house, aiming at a pine tree, Seibert was signed last Monday and in his first game saved the Commanders. He made all seven of his attempts, including the game-winner from 30 yards out as time expired, prompting his teammates to carry him off the field in celebration.

“I guess that’s a great way to welcome myself to the team and win a football game,” Seibert said during a postgame news conference that concluded with him sharing the pronunciation of his last name. “So I’m happy with it.”

Coming out of the University of Oklahoma in 2019, Seibert was drafted in the fifth round by the Cleveland Browns. He later spent time with the Cincinnati Bengals, Detroit Lions and New York Jets. It was during a preseason joint practice with the Jets last month that the Commanders noticed Seibert’s success. So when Cade York missed two field goals in the season opener and was cut, the Commanders did not even hold a tryout and quickly moved to sign Seibert.

We noticed him “in the rain hitting some big ones,” Commanders Coach Dan Quinn said. “On the other field they were making them, and on the field we were on, didn’t have the best day.”

As in the past, Seibert had done his best to stay ready in case a call came. After being cut by the Jets, he would practice a few days each week, kicking 25 to 30 balls as he aimed at a pine tree on the lot next to his house, with his wife filming and daughter watching.

“It is a family event,” he said.

The stakes were much higher Sunday, but Seibert simply told himself just to focus and imagine a pine tree off in the distance, between the uprights.

“This staff brought me in for a reason and they believe in me to do that,” Seibert said. “Just have to go out and execute it and not make it bigger than it is.

“Pretty much everyone knows there were some kickers here before me. I can’t think about that – that’s their story and that’s what they’re doing. At the end of the day, I’m writing my own story.”