Patriots release punter Jake Bailey
The New England Patriots will release punter Jake Bailey, after spending four years with the team. The move comes less than a year after signing him to a four-year, $13.5 million contract extension.
Bailey handled kickoff and holding duties for the Patriots over the first nine games in 2022. He also averaged a career-low 35.1 net yards on 37 punts.
His season was cut short after he was placed on injured reserve with a back injury with the designation to return on Dec. 21.
The 25-year-old did not return and was suspended by the team for the final two games of the regular season. Bailey filed a grievance with the league over his suspension. Because of the suspension, is voided $6.25 million in guaranteed money.
“While Jake Bailey was on (injured reserve), he never missed a single treatment, meeting or practice,” Hendrickson said, via Ian Rapoport. “He was hoping to come off IR to play last weekend, but Jake was informed he was being suspended these last two games. This comes as a surprise, given his full participation during injury reserve. We have filed a grievance to fight this unknown suspension."
According to ProFootballTalk, Bailey’s contract was to guarantee him $2.1 million in 2023.
Bailey played in 58 regular-season games, punting 222 times for a 45.9-yard average and 102 punts inside the 20-yard line.
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