As of March 4th, The Saints have released their long-time punter, Thomas Morstead. At the age of 34, 35 next week, Morstead is still one of the most consistent punters in the league.
https://twitter.com/Saints/status/1367563754657955840
What about Scott?
During his introductory press conference, new special teams coordinator Maurice Drayton addressed the current inconsistencies of the punting unit which sat near the bottom of the league. A reporter specifically named Punter JK Scott and Long Snapper Hunter Bradley in being inconsistent. Drayton didn’t disagree saying “they have a prescription that we need them to work on.” This tells me that Drayton isn’t interested in moving on from the young players just yet. But, if they can’t up their production then they will be shown the door.
Why Morstead?
This brings us to Morstead. The NFL veteran has been a top punter in the league for a decade but his productivity dropped off last season. This drop-off had nothing to do with him being cut. It was due to cutting him saving the Saints $3.5 million in cap space. This is a move that we have seen in the past. Most recently with the Chiefs cutting their veteran punter Dustin Colquitt just after their Super Bowl victory. Colquitt went on to start the season with the Pittsburg Steelers but was let go halfway through the year.
Because Drayton isn’t interested in moving on from Scott in hurry. Morstead will not find his way to the Packers before the season starts. Instead, he would be a mid-season addition if it’s decided to move on Scott isn’t improving at the rate he wants. Morstead has a low chance of going unsigned the whole offseason it is still a possibility. He would have been the highest-paid punter for the 2021 season had the Saints not decided to cut him. If he continues to ask for a high salary it could be that many teams will decide to pass on him.
It’s not written in stone that Morstead will become a Packer. In fact, it isn’t likely but there are scenarios in which the veteran punter would join the Packers.
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