Commanders special teams coordinator Larry Izzo called Drew Stevens with some important news.
The undrafted rookie had won Washington’s kicking competition. Incumbent Jake Moody was being released. The team was formally naming Stevens the starter.
The Iowa product was stunned, but not by the honor. He had been kicking well all spring and summer. It was the timing that set him back.
“It was (Monday) when I found out, and it was crazy because I was not expecting it at all,” Stevens told on-site reporters
in a Tuesday press conference. “I thought we were going to play all three preseason games and then do it. This is my first rodeo. I have no idea. I’m just trying to play (well) on the field.”
Head coach Dan Quinn didn’t see a need to continue the competition any further, explaining his logic for ending it now and setting Stevens up for success.
“I thought it was a good competition going all the way back to the spring,” Quinn said in his Tuesday presser. “We kicked almost every day back then and 2 out of 3 days in training camp in these blocks. I thought both guys have had productive days, but I thought Drew established himself. He was kicking it pure and clean. It is important for him to have the next two games where he gets all the kicks, all the moments. It was a good competition. I thought Drew earned it. Now we’re moving forward.”
Stevens has put his best foot forward this camp. Per 106.7 The Fan host Grant Paulsen, Stevens was 43-of-48 in camp practices and 1-for-1 in the preseason. Then, per Commanders reporter Ben Standig, Stevens went 6-for-6 on Tuesday, in his first practice as the lone kicker, including a hit from 60 yards out.
Stevens said Tuesday’s practice felt no different than any other. Why? His approach hasn’t changed.
He believes in his technique and his approach to the craft. That’s unwavering. It got him through four standout years at Iowa, and he’s not veering from it now.
Stevens has a word for it, and it’s a good one for kickers.
Conviction.
“I’m believing that what I do,” Stevens said, “is going to be good enough.”
Steadfast confidence has served him well to this point. His mental approach will help him in the NFL, where the pressure’s always sky-high.
“It is the most important thing,” Stevens said. “How many kickers have you seen just bomb one dead straight? That means you’re physically capable of doing it every time. Then where’s the disconnect? It’s up here (pointing to his head). Getting your mind right is the most important thing in kicking. Being convicted is showing true belief in what it is you’re doing.”
Stevens is always willing to listen, especially to those more experienced. He followed in Moody’s footsteps in terms of learning how to be a pro and operate well within an NFL organization.
Stevens gave Moody credit for that, freely giving advice during a competition where the runner-up would lose his job. Stevens thanked Moody twice during his seven-minute presser, making sure everyone knew how gracious Moody was, even in defeat.
“He’s a really good human,” Stevens said. “It’s all the things he doesn’t have to do that he does. Probably two hours after I found out – he had obviously found out – he still texted me and said, ‘Hey man, best of luck. I’m here if you need anything.’ He did not have to do that. He could’ve not said anything. I’m sure some other guys would have done that. It’s just a huge character thing when you do something like he did.”
