Denver Broncos Hartley was not drafted during the
2008 NFL draft but he signed as a free agent with the
Denver Broncos. However, he was released on July 21 just before the start of training camp.
New Orleans Saints Hartley was signed by the
New Orleans Saints on October 29, 2008, to replace
Taylor Mehlhaff, who was released. He played in his first game on November 9, 2008, against the
Atlanta Falcons. Hartley came out strong, booting 13 for 13 field goal attempts for the 2008 season. He was expected to be the Saints starting kicker for the 2009 season. However, Hartley was given a 4-game suspension after testing positive for a banned stimulant, Adderall. Hartley remained inactive (while longtime Saints kicker
John Carney handled the kicking duties) until the Saints' twelfth game of the season, against the
Washington Redskins. Hartley then kicked four field goals, including the game winning kick in overtime that allowed the Saints to preserve their undefeated record. He missed the first field goal of his professional career in this game, from 58 yards. He held the NFL record for most consecutive field goals made to start a career, with 16 until the record was broken in 2012 by
Kai Forbath of the
Washington Redskins. On January 24, 2010, he made a 40-yard field goal in overtime against the
Minnesota Vikings in the
NFC Championship to send the New Orleans Saints to their first
Super Bowl. He continued in
Super Bowl XLIV, going 3-for-3 with field goals of 46, 44, and 47 yards in the 31–17 victory over the
Indianapolis Colts. He became the first kicker in Super Bowl history to convert three field goals of 40 yards or more. The
2010 season began erratically for Hartley. He missed two field goal attempts in the Saints' Week 1 home win over the
Minnesota Vikings. He later made three field goals despite windy conditions in a Week 2 win on the road against the
San Francisco 49ers. In a Week 3 match with the
Atlanta Falcons, he made a last-second field goal to send the game into overtime, but then missed a 29-yard field goal attempt in overtime that would have won the game. In response, the Saints re-signed John Carney, and Hartley was inactive for the next two games. With injuries mounting at other positions, however, the Saints decided not to continue carrying two kickers, cutting Carney and returning Hartley to his starting position. In the 2010 season, Hartley converted all 40 extra point attempts and 20 of 25 field goal attempts in 14 games. Hartley missed the entire
2011 season after injuring his hip during a preseason game. He was replaced by veteran
John Kasay. He returned as the Saints' kicker in
2012 and
2013 season, but struggled with intermittent bouts of inconsistency. In the 2012 season, he converted all 57 extra point attempts and 18 of 22 of field goal attempts. While with the Saints, he was teammates with long snapper
Justin Drescher and holder
Chase Daniel, all of whom went to
Carroll Senior High School. On December 23, 2012, the trio connected on a game-winning field goal in overtime against the
Dallas Cowboys. he was released by the Saints on December 17, 2013, and replaced by veteran kicker
Shayne Graham the same day. In the 2013 season, Hartley converted all 41 extra point attempts and 22 of 30 field goal attempts.
Cleveland Browns On December 13, 2014, Hartley was signed by the
Cleveland Browns to replace
Billy Cundiff, who had injured his knee. He was active as the Browns' placekicker for their next game, against
Cincinnati, but he did not actually have an opportunity to play in the game, because the opening kickoff was handled by Browns punter
Spencer Lanning and the Browns never had another kicking opportunity as they failed to score (or even to attempt a field goal) in a 30–0 loss. Hartley was waived by the Browns on March 11, 2015.
Pittsburgh Steelers semifinal against the
Frisco Fighters. On August 11, 2015, Hartley was signed by the
Pittsburgh Steelers to replace
Shaun Suisham, who had
torn his ACL. On August 29, Hartley suffered a pulled hamstring during a preseason game against the
Buffalo Bills. On August 31, Hartley was placed on injured reserve. On October 13, he was released by the Steelers.
Seattle Dragons Hartley signed with the
Seattle Dragons of the
XFL on January 24, 2020. He was waived on January 28 after failing to receive medical clearance, as he has an artificial disk in his neck and not a fusion.
Massachusetts Pirates On September 3, 2021, it was announced that Hartley signed with the
Massachusetts Pirates of the
Indoor Football League two days before their playoff semifinal game against the
Frisco Fighters. In the
United Bowl on September 12, Hartley kicked the game-winning field goal in overtime, securing the Pirates' 37–34 win over the
Arizona Rattlers and winning them their first league title in franchise history. On January 17, 2022, Hartley was released by the Pirates. ==References==