Nate Kaeding (born March 26, 1982) is an American football placekicker who currently plays for the San Diego Chargers of the National Football League. He was drafted by the Chargers in the 2004 NFL Draft in the 3rd round with a pick acquired from Rivers-Manning Trade. The Coralville, Iowa native played college football at the University of Iowa, where he won the Lou Groza Award in 2002 and is the all time leading scorer. His nickname is "Big Game Nate." He had lived up to the nickname even in high school by playing in state championship games in three different sports (basketball, football and soccer) at Iowa City West High School.

In January, 2005, Kaeding became only the second rookie in NFL history to attempt a potential game-winning field goal in the playoffs in the 4th quarter or overtime. His 23-yard field goal attempt missed, and the Chargers lost in the wild card round to the New York Jets, who won the game on a Doug Brien field goal.

In the 2007 Pro Bowl, Kaeding kicked a game winning 21-yard field goal with four seconds left.

Kaeding's postseason struggles continued in the 2006 NFL Playoffs, when he missed a game tying 54-yard field goal attempt against the New England Patriots. He had not missed a field goal at home in the previous two years prior to that 54-yard attempt.

Kaeding suffered a fractured left leg when he made a tackle on the opening kickoff against the Denver Broncos on December 24, 2007 and played the final 5 games of the season on the fractured leg. http://www.signonsandiego.com/sports/chargers/20080126-9999-1s26chargers.html

In the 2007 playoffs Kaeding missed a field goal each in the Wild Card weekend game against Tenessee (which San Diego won) and against the Indianapolis Colts (which San Diego also won). Nate's streak of consecutive playoff games with a field goal stood at 4 but was ended with a made field goal from 40 yards against New England.

In January 2008, Kaeding began writing weekly movie reviews for CorridorBUZZ.com, a daily arts & entertainment web site serving the Iowa City/Cedar Rapids, Iowa corridor.