When the New York Jets signed Austin McNamara as a free agent this offseason, it appeared head coach Aaron Glenn wanted to have a position battle at the punter position.
Before OTAs and training camp even began, though, the Jets have made a special teams decision, and it’s bad news for the team’s Pro Bowl and fan-favorite punter.
The Jets release Thomas Morstead
After two seasons with the Jets, Thomas Morstead confirmed on Instagram that the team was releasing him. Shortly thereafter, New York announced the free-agent signing of South Carolina punter Kai Kroeger.
Morstead spent the first 12 seasons of his NFL career with the New Orleans Saints and even helped them win the Super Bowl over the Indianapolis Colts in 2010 (the 2009 NFL season). After leaving New Orleans, Morstead played seven games apiece for two teams in 2001, the Jets (his first stint) and Atlanta Falcons.
Following a short stint with the Miami Dolphins, Morstead spent the last two seasons as a member of the Jets, where he became a fan favorite and helped turn the tide in many victories for New York. The 39-year-old led the league in 2023 in both punts and punt yardage.
The veteran right-foot re-signed with the Jets on a multi-year deal last offseason, in March 2024. The contract was worth $5 million over two years.
“I want to say thank you to all the fans, all the coaches and teammates I’ve worked with,” Morstead said in the aforementioned IG video. “[I’m] disappointed to be moving on, and disappointed in how it went down, but [that’s] the way it goes in this business.”
With Thomas Morstead on the outs, New York will undergo a new punting competition this season. Stay tuned, Jets fans, because he may not be the only special teamer over 30 leaving.
