Commanders punter Tress Way entered Tuesday a month away from reaching free agency, but he’ll instead return to Washington for a 13th season. The Commanders announced an extension agreement with Way. It’s a one-year deal, Nicki Jhabvala of The Athletic reports.
Way, a former Oklahoma Sooner, started his NFL career as an undrafted free agent with the Bears in 2013. His only regular-season experience has come with the Commanders, who plucked him off waivers from the Bears in August 2014. Twelve years later, Way is the Commanders’ longest-tenured player.
Way was an immediate success in Washington, where he led the league in average yards per punt in 2014 (47.5). He repeated that feat with an average of 49.6 in 2019, his first Pro Bowl campaign. Way has since earned two more Pro Bowl invitations, including in 2025.
At 47.3, the 35-year-old finished just 18th in gross average last season. However, Way led the league in percentage of punts inside the 20 (52.8%) and finished in a fourth-place tie in net average (43.9).
Over his 12-year run in Washington, Way has played in 196 games and recorded a 46.9 gross average and a 41.7 net on 832 punts. Way ranks fifth on Washington’s all-time games played list, and climbing all the way to second is a realistic possibility. Dave Butz (203), Art Monk (205) and Monte Coleman (215) are all within striking distance, though all-time leader Darrell Green (295) is out of reach.
Way to go!