Jets Waive Goodbye to Punter Braden Mann

Veteran Thomas Morstead likely steps into starting role, replacing Gang Green's former draft pick

The New York Jets have given up on their former sixth-round draft pick.

The team announced the release of punter Braden Mann on Thursday.

The move paves the way for recently-signed veteran Thomas Morstead to re-claim the starting punter role with Gang Green. 

The 37-year old Morstead, who punted for the AFC East rival Miami Dolphins last year, had been with the Jets as an injury replacement for Mann during the 2021 campaign.

The Jets officially announced Morstead's signing on April 7, exactly three weeks after the veteran punter tweeted about the imminent reunion on St. Patrick's Day.

Heading into what would have been the final year of his rookie contract, Mann finds himself out of work after an uneven tenure with Gang Green. The Texas A&M product initially entered the league as the No. 191 overall selection in the 2020 NFL Draft.

Mann, the 2018 Ray Guy Award winner, appeared in all 16 games as the Jets’ rookie punter and finished the 2020 campaign with a lackluster 37.2 net average. 

In 2022, Mann accounted for the NFL’s 24th-ranked net punting average (40.6). Eight of his punts resulted in touchbacks and return specialists posted the league’s third-highest ypr average against Mann. 

One can view the timing of the Jets' move as a courtesy of sorts to Mann. By releasing him at this juncture, the team provides the free-agent punter with the chance to latch on with another organization before OTAs begin.

Jets' punter Braden Mann attempts to stop New England's Marcus Jones on the game-winning return / Brian Fluharty-USA TODAY Sports

Meanwhile, Morstead brings 14 years of NFL punting experience to Florham Park. Playing on a one-year deal with the Dolphins, he recorded a 46.4 punting average (40.5 net) in 2022.

Morstead spent his first 12 NFL seasons with the New Orleans Saints, who drafted the Southern Methodist alumnus with the No. 164 overall selection in 2009. He has appeared in 221 games and owns a career 46.5 punting average (41.6 net).

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