We’re going to see a lot of tough decisions being made over the next week, and the Eagles in particular have their hands tied due to a terrible cap situation. Because of their cap issues, Philly isn’t tendering restricted free agent punter Cameron Johnston, a source told Ian Rapoport of NFL Network (Twitter link). It’s a busy day for punters, as this news comes on the heels of the Saints releasing Thomas Morstead.
Johnston will now become an unrestricted free agent that’s free to sign anywhere without the Eagles having the chance to match an offer sheet. Rapoport says that Johnston “should have an active market.” A native of Australia, Johnston came to the United States to go to school at Ohio State after failing to make it as an Aussie Football player.
After getting cut in 2017 he made the roster in 2018, and has been the Eagles’ punter in each of the past three seasons. This move doesn’t mean that Philadelphia won’t still end up bringing him back for 2021, Eliot Shorr-Parks of 94WIP.com tweets.
The Eagles can get their cap space under control and then re-sign Johnston, although now they’ll have to bid against an open market. Johnston has been very solid but not spectacular, so it’s not like he’s going to land an eye-popping deal in a tight free agent market.
Who needs a Punter anyway ?
When you pick up a first down on the first 3 downs,
And “go for it” on 4th down the few times you get there.
hold on what
Shame that the mishandling of the highest paid players lead them to pinch pennies on one of the lowest earners despite how key of a contributor he has been.
This right here tells all you need to know about how bad this organization’s cap situation is. They can’t afford the punter. A punter
Well he did earn $750k but if they tendered him he’d get $2.24mil so I understand. He’s been well worth the old salary, but tripling it is hard when they can replace that for a fraction.
I think you missed my point. To pay a punter in this league doesn’t break the bank. The mere fact that they can’t give him that type of raise when his numbers are top 10 in the league, says a lot about where they are money wise as a franchise.
But he rated like 23rd in the league and for that salary they can resign him to a deal more in line with last years salary and add 2 other players. For a team choked out by the salary cap they need to make moves such as that.
REVIEW: Johnston tied for the third most punt attempts in the NFL last year with how bad the Eagles’ offense was. His numbers were pedestrian at best. PFF RANK — 2018: 30th out of 32 punters — 2019: 31st out of 34 punters — 2020: 23rd out of 34 punters.
I used to kick the bass like an NFL punter-
LL cool J