Ram Digest

Panthers Sign Former Rams Pro Bowl Punter Johnny Hekker

The Rams long time punter has found a new home.

Matt Galatzan

Former Los Angeles Rams punter Johnny Hekker said goodbye to the only NFL team he's known earlier this week, but now he's found a new home with the Carolina Panthers.

USATSI_16956189

Johnny Hekker

USATSI_17692082

Johnny Hekker

USATSI_17523150

Johnny Hekker

The terms of the deal have not been released yet.

Hekker, 32, is a four-time Pro Bowl selection and a four-time first-team All-Pro with the Rams.

He was also named second-team All-Pro on two separate occasions and was selected to the 2010's NFL All-Decade Team.

Hekker first joined the Rams in 2012 and is one of just three players, including Aaron Donald and Rob Havenstein, that remain from the team's roster in St. Louis

For his career, Hekker averages 46.7 yards per punt, and previously led the league in that category, averaging 47.9 yards per punt in 2015.

He is also arguably the league's most dangerous player with fake punts, completing 14 of 23 passes for 186 yards and a score in his career.

USATSI_17412671

Johnny Hekker

USATSI_17252775

Johnny Hekker

USATSI_15449547

Johnny Hekker

Last season, Hekker totaled 51 punts for 2,252 yards, including 23 of 51 punts downed inside the 20 yards line. Hekker also punted six times for 261 yards in the Rams Super Bowl LVI win.

In 2022, Hekker will bring his Super Bowl experience with him to Carolina, which had punting inconsistencies all season long. It's a problem the Panthers can now punt away.

Want the latest in breaking news and insider information on the Rams? Click Here

Want to join in on the discussion? Click here to become a member of the Ram Digest message board community today!

Follow Ram Digest on Twitter and Facebook.

Published
Matt Galatzan
MATT GALATZAN

Matt Galatzan the Editor-In-Chief of RamDigest.com. Galatzan graduated from the University of Mississippi, where he studied integrated marketing communications, with minors in journalism and business administration. Galatzan started in the sports journalism industry under Mike Fisher at DallasBasketball.com in 2014, which at the time was part of the 247Sports network. He also spent two years covering the SMU Mustangs for PonyStampede.com on the 247Sports network. When DallasBasketball.com and CowboysCountry.com moved over to Sports Illustrated's Fan Nation network in 2020, Galatzan followed suit, eventually being taking over as the Managing Editor and Publisher of LonghornsCountry.com and AllAggies.com a year later. Through the years, Galatzan has conducted a handful of high-profile one-on-one interviews to add to his resume — in both writing and podcasting. Some of his biggest interviews have been with Mavs owner Mark Cuban, former Longhorns players Dan Neil and Phil Dawson, and many other recruits, and current/former players for each of the teams he has covered. Galatzan is also a full-time employee in the digital media department for Audacy and KRLD FM's 105.3 The Fan in Dallas, which is the official radio home of the Dallas Cowboys. You can find Galatzan on all major social media channels. For any inquiries, please email matt.galatzan@gmail.com

Home/News