NASHVILLE – The ending of the 2018 season was a tough one for new Titans kicker Cody Parkey.
But he learned from it -- and is now ready to embrace his latest challenge on a new team.
"Perseverance," Parkey said when asked what he learned from the experience. "Not everything is going to go your way. It's about how you respond and how you get back to it. Just never stay defeated and just put your best foot forward."
The Titans signed Parkey to the team's roster on Tuesday, and he was on the practice field with his teammates on Wednesday.
Parkey will take over the kicking duties on Sunday in Denver for the Titans, who released Cairo Santos on Monday after his bad day on Sunday vs. the Bills.
Parkey, who played collegiately at Auburn, went 23-of-30 on field goals and 42-of-45 on extra points with the Bears last season.
In a playoff game loss to the Eagles, Parkey lined up with a last-second chance to win and move on to the divisional round, but his 43-yard attempt hit the upright and the crossbar before bouncing out.
"You kind of just leave it in the past," Parkey said in the locker room on Wednesday. "It is a new year, it is 2019 and not '18 anymore. So I am just chugging along I am just excited to be a Titan."
In his career, Parkey's made 99-of-118 kicks (83.9 percent) and 149-of-156 extra point attempts (95.5 percent) while also kicking with the Dolphins, Browns, and Eagles, where he was a Pro Bowl performer in 2014.
Earlier this offseason, Parkey also worked out for the Jets and the Colts.
The Titans began the season with Santos after Ryan Succop was placed on Injured Reserve. Santos went 4-of-9 in five games with the team, including an 0-for-4 game on Sunday against the Bills.
"Every Sunday you see what is going on around the league and you are just waiting," Parkey said. "Me as a kicker, I never hoped for anyone to do bad. But it is my opportunity to go out there and show the people what I can do. I wished (Cairo) the best. I told him he's an awesome kicker and I think he'll still have success in this league.
"(But) I think this is a good fit for me -- the organization seems awesome and I am just blessed for the opportunity. I think everything happens for a reason. There's a reason I'm here in Tennessee and looking forward to the game on Sunday. (My confidence is) very high, as high as its been the last five seasons. I've had some success in this league, and I plan on continuing to do so."
