Chase McLaughlin

Chase Joseph McLaughlin (mək-LOK-lin; born April 9, 1996) is an American professional football placekicker for the Tampa Bay Buccaneers of the National Football League (NFL). He played college football for the Illinois Fighting Illini. Since joining the NFL in 2019, McLaughlin has been a member of nine teams, including second stints for two organizations.

McLaughlin played college football at Illinois. During his time with the Fighting Illini, McLaughlin went 79 for 79 on extra point attempts, and his senior year was 4 for 6 on field goals beyond 50 yards. Originally a walk-on, McLaughlin ended his college career as the 2019 Bakken–Andersen Kicker of the Year award winner and a First-team All-Big Ten Conference selection. During a 2018 game against USF, McLaughlin became the first Illinois kicker to score field goals of 50 plus yards in three consecutive games. McLaughlin later achieved a school record five 50-plus yard field goals.

McLaughlin went undrafted in the 2019 NFL draft, and signed with the Buffalo Bills as an undrafted free agent. He was waived on August 31, 2019.

McLaughlin was signed to the practice squad of the Minnesota Vikings on September 1, 2019. He was released nine days later.

McLaughlin signed with the Los Angeles Chargers on October 1, 2019. The move was to cover for injured Chargers kicker Michael Badgley, and to give relief to Chargers punter Ty Long, who had assumed kicking duties. McLaughlin was waived on October 29.

McLaughlin signed with the San Francisco 49ers on November 7, 2019, after kicker Robbie Gould injured his quad. During a Week 10 27–24 overtime loss to the Seattle Seahawks on Monday Night Football, McLaughlin made three of four field goals. Although he made a 47-yard kick with one second left in regulation to tie the game, McLaughlin's missed field goal occurred in overtime and would have given San Francisco the victory. He was waived on December 3.

On December 4, 2019, McLaughlin was claimed off waivers by the Indianapolis Colts due to an injury to longtime starter Adam Vinatieri. On December 30, 2019, McLaughlin was signed to a one-year extension through 2020.

On September 5, 2020, McLaughlin was waived by the Colts during final roster cuts.