The Patriots will be in the market for a new punter this offseason. Moments ago, the team released Jake Bailey.
Bailey has been with the Patriots since 2019. After starting his career with such promise, the Stanford product had a brutal 2022 season.
Not only did Bailey average a career-low 42.1 yards per punt, he struggled to pin opposing teams inside the 20-yard line. His average in that department dipped from 46.9 percent to 32.4 percent in the span of a year.
Even though Bailey is coming off a putrid season, NFL fans are still a bit shocked that his run with the Patriots is officially over.
“Releasing your punter, quite a concept,” Joe Caporoso said.
“Wild,” one fan tweeted.
“Why we releasing the best player on the team,” another fan joked.
Bailey earned All-Pro honors in 2020, averaging 48.7 yards per punt. Perhaps he’ll rediscover that form somewhere else.