A New Orleans Saints fan favorite, punter Thomas Morstead, is back on the free-agent market.
Thomas Morstead was released by the New York Jets on Tuesday. Morstead himself was the first to reveal the news through his Instagram account on Tuesday.
Morstead, 39, has been with the Jets for the last two years. In 16 NFL seasons, he has a career net punting of 41.5 yards. He is second among all active players in both punts and punting yards. His career gross average of 46.8 yards per punt ranks 11th in league history.
Sep 9, 2024; New York Jets punter Thomas Morstead (6) punts against the San Francisco 49ers. Mandatory Credit: Darren Yamashita-Imagn Images
Sep 9, 2024; New York Jets punter Thomas Morstead (6) punts against the San Francisco 49ers. Mandatory Credit: Darren Yamashita-Imagn Images
The New Orleans Saints drafted Morstead with a fifth-round choice in the 2009 NFL Draft out of SMU. He was the second of two punters drafted that year.
Morstead would be the New Orleans punter for the next 12 seasons through the 2020-21 campaign. He is the Saints' all-time leader in punts and punting yards. He held a top-5 NFL ranking in punting average four times while with the Saints and earned a Pro Bowl and 2nd Team All-Pro recognition in 2012.
Aug 26, 2016; New Orleans Saints punter Thomas Morstead (6) against the Pittsburgh Steelers. Mandatory Credit: Chuck Cook-Imagn Images
Aug 26, 2016; New Orleans Saints punter Thomas Morstead (6) against the Pittsburgh Steelers. Mandatory Credit: Chuck Cook-Imagn Images
After the 2020-21 season, Morstead signed with the New York Jets as a free agent. He was released midway through that season and finished the year with the Atlanta Falcons. Morstead would sign with the Miami Dolphins in 2022, then returned to the Jets after that season.
In the four seasons since Morstead departed, the Saints have used three different punters. Blake Gillikin had the job in 2021 and 2022. Lou Hedley was the punter in 2023, with Matthew Hayball owning the job last season.
There is little argument that Thomas Morstead is the most effective punter in New Orleans Saints history. However, his most famous play occurred on a kickoff.
New Orleans Saints punter Thomas Morstead (6) kicks off against the Indianapolis Colts during Super Bowl XLIV. Credit: neworleanssaints.com
New Orleans Saints punter Thomas Morstead (6) kicks off against the Indianapolis Colts during Super Bowl XLIV. Credit: neworleanssaints.com
To open the second half of Super Bowl XLIV, the Saints were trailing the Indianapolis Colts by a 10-6 score. Morstead, handling kickoff duties for New Orleans as a rookie, executed a perfect surprise onside kick.
The play, now forever known as ''Ambush'' was recovered by the Saints. New Orleans went on to score a touchdown on the resulting drive, taking their first lead of the game on the way to a 31-17 victory and their first Super Bowl championship.