Science typically suggests that an adult should sleep anywhere between seven to nine hours a night.
In Chad Ryland's case, making field goals and PATs allows him to rest.
"When I reach that spot where I'm usually hitting the ball really well, I can go home and sleep at night in a way that it's quick to fall asleep because I know what that looks and feels like for me," the kicker said. "I truly try to be my best version of myself each day."
Ryland's journey in the NFL didn't reach a level of peace until last season. After a rocky rookie year with the Patriots in 2023, Ryland was released by New England after the 2024 preseason. The Cardinals signed Ryland once 18-year veteran kicker Matt Prater went down with an injury.
In his first game with the team, Ryland nailed the game-winning field goal on the road against the 49ers in Week 5. It was then that coach Jonathan Gannon realized what he had in his new kicker.
"Ice water in his veins. I mean, how many game winners did he hit right from the jump?" Gannon said. "We're trotting this guy out to kick a game winner on the road, and he did it multiple times. He is a great dude. He's another one that pours all his time. … But he's a football player, man. I'm glad we got him."
The answer to Gannon's question is three. The first was the aforementioned 49ers outing, followed by buzzer-beater makes on 'Monday Night Football' against the Chargers, and Week 8 against the Dolphins. He earned NFC Special Teams Player of the Month for October.
With Ryland under contract through 2025, it was apparent that the Cardinals found their replacement for Prater. He finished the year as a Pro Bowl alternate, going 28-of-32 on field goal attempts and 26-of-27 on PATs. It was a significant improvement after he went 16-of-25 on field goals during his time with the Patriots.
"I approached Chad on the first day that he got here and said 'I see some things on tape and I'm sure you see some things on tape. Fresh start,'" special teams coordinator Jeff Rodgers said. "Percentages can be a little bit deceiving, so you take all of that into account to formulate my own opinion. He has his own opinion, but it truly was a clean slate when he got here."
Because of his experience of kicking in inclement weather while with Eastern Michigan and the University of Maryland, Rodgers believed that Ryland was as good as any kicker in the 2023 draft class. The Patriots noticed similar, selecting Ryland with the 112th pick. In the last 20 years, only three kickers have been drafted earlier than Ryland.
"I think I'm continuing to try and prove it every day," Ryland said. "You are only as good as your last kick, and for me, I'm hoping there's a lot more on the way that I'm going to have a chance to knock down.
"There's nothing I love more than knocking kicks through."
Everything from the operation to the holder and snapper play a role in a kicker's success. Ryland repeatedly praised fellow specialist Blake Gillikin, long snapper Aaron Brewer, and his units, highlighting the roles they played on his successful sophomore year.
As the Cardinals are on the hunt to make the playoffs, Ryland is on his own chase. One that can only improve his sleeping habits.
"My focus is to continue to chase consistency," Ryland said. "Great kickers, for the course of their career, chase that same thing. I'm trying to be the best Chad that I can be each day and be the best teammate to these guys so we can all have success."
