Nov 4, 2021; Indianapolis, Indiana, USA; New York Jets punter Thomas Morstead (left) talks with long snapper Thomas Hennessy (42) before the match against the Indianapolis Colts at Lucas Oil Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Marc Lebryk-USA TODAY Sports
Breathe a sigh of relief, Jets fans; Thomas Morstead is back. Yes, after watching Braden Mann punt away field position (and possibly a won or two) in 2022, the Jets have turned their attention to the same veteran punter who came in to spell Mann for a handful of games in 2021.
Morstead is coming off of one of his best seasons as a pro, dropping 28 punts inside his opponent’s 20 on just 61 punts. Mann had 27 such punts but needed 83 attempts to hit that number.
An intriguing punter from the moment he was drafted, Mann made name for himself at Texas A&M where he won the Ray Guy award, given to the nation’s top punter, for his jaw dropping punts.
As a pro, things haven’t worked out quite as well as expected as Mann could easily find himself looking for work by the time the 2023 season kicks off.
Stepping in for a seven game stretch when Mann injured himself in 2021, Morstead averaged 48.2 yards per punt for Gang Green.