Washington Commanders punter Tress Way (10) looks on from the field prior to the game against the New York Giants at Northwest Stadium.
Amber Searls-Imagn Images
Washington Commanders punter Tress Way appears to be approaching the final season of his NFL career, with the 36-year-old acknowledging on Thursday that he is “pretty sure” 2026 will be his last year. Way has already informed general manager Adam Peters and head coach Dan Quinn that he is seriously considering retirement.
Way has been Washington's punter since the franchise claimed him off waivers in 2014 after the Chicago Bears released him for the second time. He originally entered the NFL as an undrafted free agent in 2013. Since joining the Commanders, he has remained with the franchise through three team names, multiple coaching staffs and roster overhauls.
The left-footed punter has been the most productive punter in Washington history. His franchise records include 39,031 punt yards, a 46.9-yard career average, 34,818 net punt yards, a 41.7-yard net average and 325 punts inside the 20-yard line. He also owns the second-longest punt in the Commanders history at 79 yards.
Way enters 2026 following his third Pro Bowl season. In 2025, he ranked sixth in the NFL with a 43.9-yard net punting average, placed second with 51.8% of his punts landing inside the 20-yard line and tied for fifth with 19.6% of his kicks reaching inside the 10. He has earned three Pro Bowl selections, following the 2019, 2022 and 2025 seasons, and was also named a second-team All-Pro in 2019.
With at least 65 punts, Way would surpass Mike Bragg's 896 punts for the most in Washington history. He also has a chance to move past Art Monk's 205 games for third-most appearances by a Commanders player.
Way has spent his 12 NFL seasons with Washington, playing under four head coaches, including interim coach Bill Callahan in 2019. He has held for 12 kickers and seen 16 starting quarterbacks play for the franchise.
His relationship with safety Jeremy Reaves has also been a big part of his Commanders tenure. Reaves and Way were selected as season-long captains for 2026, with Way receiving his fifth career captaincy. Way also officiated Reaves' wedding in March.
One of Way's favorite memories came during the 2024 NFC Championship Game against the Philadelphia Eagles, when Washington used a fake punt and Way completed a 23-yard pass to Ben Sinnott. That 23-yard completion later became part of fan-made T-shirts comparing his NFC Championship passing total with Dallas Cowboys quarterback Dak Prescott's zero.
For now, Way remains committed to the 2026 season, but his comments indicate that the Commanders could be preparing for the end of a 12-year run from their longest-tenured player.