Wil Lutz Contributes His Best Years To Not Wanting To Let Down Sean Payton
Wil Lutz was recently traded from the New Orleans Saints to the Denver Broncos, where Sean Payton now coaches. Lutz was with Payton for six seasons in New Orleans and says he’s the best coach he’s ever been around.
Lutz said that his respect for Payton makes him want to kick the best he can for him.
“Look, coach, he tries to get the best out of everyone,’’ Lutz said, via Mike Klis of 9 News. “I truly feel like my best years were with him because I was kind of scared to let him down. I think that’s how a leader is.’’
The 29-year-old was incredibly clutch for the Saints. Lutz averaged an 84.6 field goal percentage during his tenure in New Orleans, and ranks among the NFL’s most precise kickers within 40 yards. Out of 81 attempts from this range, he has only faltered on four occasions, boasting an impressive 95.1 percent success rate.
However, Lutz is coming off the worst year of his career, where he made only 74.2 percent (23-31) of his field goals. He’s hoping to have the same success he had with Payton, and now they’re reunited. Good news for the undrafted kicker.
“But look, 2022, no excuses. I didn’t have a good year,’’ Lutz said. “It’s all on me. Mentally I didn’t feel like I was in the right space. Kind of felt like a rookie again after missing a year. I didn’t play in front of fans in 2020. Didn’t play in 2021. So 2022 Week 1 was the first time in front of fans in [three] years. So it was very eye opening. I think I didn’t handle it the right way.”
Lutz lost the Saints’ kicking competition to Blake Grupe in camp, and is excited to get a fresh start with his favorite coach.
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