Photo by Fred Kfoury III/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images
On August 1st, the Patriots chose to extend punter Jake Bailey through the 2025 season. The agreement was a four-year, $13.5 million contract with $6.5 million guaranteed. This new deal will make Bailey a top 3 paid punter.
Drafted in the 5th round in 2019, Bailey is seen as one of the only good additions out of the 2019 draft. Over the past three seasons, Jake has been exceptional, punting 185 times accumulating over 8500 yards, and averaging 47.5 per punt. In 2020 he was named a first-team all-pro along with a pro-bowl selection. Bailey is also valuable in the kicking game, racking up 227 kickoffs.
Following the 2022 draft, the Patriots signed underrated free agent Jake Julien. Julien spent five years at Eastern Michigan University, averaging 43.7 yards a punt. Although a camp competition was unlikely to start between the two, it did give some motivation for Bailey. Jake did have a poor year in 2021, having three punts blocked. However, Julien should get signed to the practice squad with this deal, securing a starting role for Baily.
Following practice, Jake spoke to the media, saying, “I’m just so happy and blessed I get a few more years here…I was on the phone with my agent, and I was like, ‘Alright, that’s it. We’re good with that,’ and it wasn’t like a crazy big moment. But it was fine, and a huge milestone in my life, and just thankful God put me in this position.” He also credited his teammates, including Matthew Slater, Cody Davis, Justin Bethel, and Nick Folk. Press Conference
My name is Ben Belford-Peltzman and I am the creator and writer of The Patriots Beat. I am a 17-year kid who is an optimistic pessimist about the City of Champions. I started The Patriots Beat in August of 2022 and never expected to grow so much but here we are. Feel free to email Thepatriotsbeat@gmail.com with any inquires.
