Tampa Bay Buccaneers kicker Chase McLaughlin has been named the NFC Special Teams Player of the Month for October after completing four games without missing a field goal or extra-point attempt, continuing a perfect start to his 2026 season.
According to Buccaneers Communications, McLaughlin converted all seven field-goal attempts and 11 extra-point attempts during October, accounting for 32 kicking points. He was the NFC's leading kicker without a miss, with 18 successful kicks, and five of his seven field goals came from at least 40 yards, including a 53-yarder.
McLaughlin's consistency extends beyond October, as the eighth-year veteran has converted all 19 field-goal attempts and 17 extra-point attempts through eight games. His 74 points lead
the NFL, and he has made all four of his attempts from at least 50 yards this season. His 85.5% career conversion rate from that distance is the highest in NFL history among kickers with at least 30 attempts.
The veteran's production has been particularly important during Tampa Bay's recent offensive struggles, with McLaughlin accounting for 32% of the team's points scored in October. He scored 13 points against Pittsburgh in Week 6 and another 11 against Carolina in Week 7, providing consistent scoring as the Buccaneers leaned more on their rushing attack.
McLaughlin also converted three field goals in Tampa Bay's rain-soaked 16-0 win over Atlanta in Week 8, showing his reliability in tough conditions. Speaking Thursday, he credited the entire special teams operation, including long snapper Evan Deckers, holder Riley Dixon, and the field-goal protection unit.
"The Player of the Month is as much of an award for them as it is for me too," McLaughlin said, according to the Buccaneers' official quote sheet.
The recognition is McLaughlin's first career Special Teams Player of the Month award and makes him the first Buccaneer to receive the honor since punter Jake Camarda in September 2023. He is also the first Tampa Bay kicker to win the award since Matt Bryant in December 2007, joining Bryant and three-time winner Martin Gramatica as the only Buccaneers placekickers to receive the distinction.
McLaughlin enters Sunday's Week 9 matchup against Chicago with the NFL's longest active streak of consecutive made field goals this season at 19, a mark that ranks third in Buccaneers franchise history. His accuracy has given Tampa Bay a dependable scoring option, especially when offensive drives stall before reaching the end zone.
This article originally appeared on Bucs Wire: Bucs' Chase McLaughlin named NFC Special Teams Player of the Month
