He played college football for the Iowa Hawkeyes, earning consensus All-American honors and winning the Lou Groza Award.

He won two state championships as the team's kicker, and The Des Moines Register named him Iowa High School Athlete of the Year in 2000.

[7] Kaeding's postseason struggles continued in the 2006 NFL Playoffs, when he missed a potential game tying 54-yard field goal attempt against the New England Patriots.

However, in the AFC Divisional Round against the New York Jets, Kaeding's postseason struggles continued as he missed all three of his attempted field goals, from 36, 57, and 40 yards; the Chargers lost the game 17–14.

[14] After missing three games, Kaeding was placed on injured reserve with a minor injury designation that required the Chargers to release him after he recovered.

[15][16][17] On October 30, Kaeding became an unrestricted free agent after he was released by the Chargers upon a physical; he collected over $1 million in termination pay.

Kaeding made all seven of his field goal attempts with the Chargers in 2012, and left the team as the most accurate kicker in NFL history at 87% (180-of-207).

[7][15] On December 21, 2012, Kaeding signed with the Miami Dolphins, replacing incumbent Dan Carpenter, who was out with a groin injury.

He co-owns a restaurant in Iowa City called Short's Burgers as well,[24] as another named Pullman Bar and Diner.