Bucs kicker Chase McLaughlin has been named the NFC Special Teams Player of the Month for his efforts in October. We at Pewter Report have joked that McLaughlin is the best player on this Bucs team, and while he didn’t see the field as much as others, he by far is the most consistent on the team.

He’s called “Money McLaughlin” for a reason. Tampa Bay’s kicker has gone 19 for 19 on his field goal attempts this season and has also hit all 17 of his extra points. He’s as automatic as it gets at the kicker position. And with Tampa Bay’s offensive struggles having to navigate through a new offensive coordinator and two quarterbacks, McLaughlin’s services have been needed.

Of the 19 field goals he’s hit, 11 of them have come from either a 40 or 50 yard distance, showing his range. He’s been able to hit in all conditions, too, connecting on all three field goals last Sunday in a very rainy affair.

Bucs K Chase McLaughlin – Photo by: IMAGN Images via Reuters Connect

Chase McLaughlin Has Been Money For The Bucs

In four October games, McLaughlin connected on all 18 of his kicks – seven field goals and 11 extra points. Five of those seven field goals were from 40+ yards, tying for the second-most by any kicker in the month of October. 

McLaughlin’s 18 total kicks made and 32 total kicking points in the month of October were each the most among all NFC players without a miss. He made seven field goals without a miss, tying for the most among NFC players, while his 11 successful extra-point attempts led all NFC players during October. He scored 11+ points in two consecutive games – 13 against Pittsburgh in Week 6 and 11 in the Week 7 win over Carolina – becoming just one of five kickers in the NFL to have consecutive 11+ point games.

Bucs K Chase McLaughlin – Photo by: IMAGN Images via Reuters Connect

On the season, McLaughlin leads the NFL with 74 points, converting on all 19 of his field-goal attempts and all 17 of his extra-point attempts. His streak of 19 consecutive made field goals is the longest in the NFL this season and the third-longest in Buccaneers history, trailing only his own mark of 30 (10/26/23–10/21/24) and Connor Barth’s streak of 25 (10/16/11–9/30/12). He’s been true on all four of his field goal attempts from 50+ yards this season, and his 85.5 field goal percentage from 50+ yards is the highest in NFL history (minimum 30 attempts).

He set the Buccaneers single-season franchise record for field goal percentage in consecutive seasons, posting a 93.5% mark in 2023 and a 93.8% mark in 2024. His 91.7% accuracy since joining the Buccaneers in 2023 is the third highest in the NFL (minimum 75 attempts).

The monthly honor is the first Special Teams Player of the Month award in McLaughlin’s career. He is the first Buccaneer to capture the award since punter Jake Camarda in September 2023 and the first Buccaneers kicker to earn the accolade since Matt Bryant in December 2007. For Special Teams Coordinator Danny Smith, McLaughlin becomes the second kicker under his direction who has earned the monthly accolade joining Pittsburgh Steelers kicker Chris Boswell who did so when Smith served as Pittsburgh’s special teams coordinator.

Bucs P Riley Dixon and K Chase McLaughlin – Photo by: IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect

While Tampa Bay gave many players new contract extensions this offseason, McLaughlin was not one of them despite voicing that he would certainly like one. He’s let his play do the talking ever since as the best kicker in the league.

McLaughlin will have another challenge this Sunday night in primetime as the Bucs face the Bears. He will be kicking in the windy city of Chicago as Tampa Bay tries to make it three wins in a row. Knowing McLaughlin’s success with the Bucs, it sounds like he’ll be up for the task.