Browns awarded PK Chase McLaughlin off waivers

The Cleveland Browns were awarded kicker Chase McLaughlin off of waivers on Monday.

Cleveland has yet to make a corresponding transaction, but it would appear that kicker Matt McCrane’s days in Cleveland could be numbered after spending most of the 2020 season on the team’s practice squad.

McLaughlin was released by the New York Jets - one of five teams he has kicked for - on May 7. He appeared in one game for the Jets last season, converting both of his extra-point attempts in a Week 17 loss to the New England Patriots.

Originally signed as an undrafted free agent by the Buffalo Bills out of Illinois in 2019, McLaughlin has kicked for the Indianapolis Colts, Jacksonville Jaguars, San Francisco 49ers and Los Angeles Chargers in addition to the Jets.

He also spent time on the Minnesota Vikings practice squad in both 2019 and 2020.

All told, McLaughlin has converted almost 97 percent of his extra-point attempts (31-of-33) and almost 79 percent of his field goals (22-of-28) in his travels across the NFL.

McLaughlin is particularly weak from beyond the 40-yard-line, however, as he has only converted 10 field goals on 16 attempts beyond the 40, a rate of 62.5 percent.

He will likely serve as some mild competition for incumbent Cody Parkey and give Parkey’s leg a rest as the Browns and the rest of the NFL are expected to return to a normal training camp schedule and three preseason games this summer.

Parkey, who re-signed with Cleveland on a one-year deal in March, was 43-of-47 (91 percent) on extra points and 19-of-22 (86 percent) on field goals last season for the Browns. Most importantly, he was a perfect 11-of-11 in the postseason, converting eight extra points and three field goals as the Browns advanced to the divisional round of the playoffs.

He has also converted almost 76 percent of his field-goal attempts (47-of-62) from beyond 40 yards in his NFL career.