The NFL punter who doesn't punt

Jayden Daniels first took his jersey number.

Jayden Daniels first took his jersey number. Then he took his job.

Washington Commanders punter Tress Way, who gave up his No. 5 uniform to the first-round pick last May, is one of the best in the NFL at his position. But thanks to a historically good offense, he’s barely had to run onto the field this season.

Through four games, Way has punted just four times. Last season over the same time span, he booted it away 17 times. Even more mind-boggling? Way has kicked the ball only once over the last three games.

“I have never seen anything like this,” Way told NBC News this week. “Every third down, you’re like, ‘All right, here we go. Let’s flip the field. Oops, psych! First down.’ And then you look up, one game, no punts. Another game, no punts. Another game, one punt.”

Why the sudden drop-off in time on the field? Daniels and new offensive coordinator Kliff Kingsbury’s squad has been nearly unstoppable in 2024.

https://www.nbcnews.com/sports/nfl/nfl-punter-commanders-tress-way-rcna172761

---