Defensive end Bryce Huff may be the most-coveted free agent from the New York Jets’ 2023 roster, but don’t let the hype around Huff overshadow the team’s need to re-sign two record-setting specialists.
After signing one-year contracts last March, kicker Greg Zuerlein and punter Thomas Morstead performed at an elite level for New York’s special teams. Both grizzled veterans were beacons of consistency, setting single-season franchise records along the way.
Zuerlein, who was practically automatic on field goal attempts inside of 55 yards, connected on a team record 35 three-pointers in what was his second season as a Jet. His 92.1 percent success rate is the highest for a single season in franchise history.
Affectionately known as Greg the Leg, Zuerlein was locked in from the start, nailing two 50+ yarders as part of a 3-for-3 performance at the Hall of Fame Game on August 3.
“Knowing that he’s got the ability to give, you know when we say three, we feel really good about getting three,” said Jets’ head coach Robert Saleh.
After an impressive training camp and productive preseason, Zuerlein delivered when the games began to count. Over 16 regular season appearances, he made 18 of 20 kicks from 40 yards and beyond, including a 5-of-6 clip from 50+.
Zuerlein made 26 consecutive field goals attempts over a stretch that ended when the Browns blocked a third-quarter try in Week 17. His lone miss over his first 29 field goal attempts was a 52-yarder in Week 4.
The 36-year-old Zuerlein came through in clutch moments, winning the Week 16 game against Washington by hitting a 54-yard field goal with 00:05 remaining. He also connected on a walk-off winner against the Giants in Week 8. Zuerlein earned AFC Special Teams Player of the Week honors for his 17-point effort in a Week 5 road win over Denver.
In addition to holding for Zuerlein, Morstead proved to be as effective as any punter the team has employed since 1960. In his 15th NFL season, Morstead consistently displayed both power and accuracy en-route to a league-high 54 punts of at least 50 yards. He placed an NFL-best seven kicks inside the opponent’s 5-yard line.
The Jets’ offensive struggles made the 37-year-old Morstead the league’s busiest punter in 2023. He booted an NFL-high 99 punts for a league-leading 4,831 gross yards.
Morstead, who also handled kickoffs with Zuerlein’s availability limited in Week 3, set the Jets’ records for highest gross punting average (48.8) and net punting average (41.8). He was the AFC Special Teams Player of the Week after thrice pinning the Giants inside their own 5-yard line during a 13-10 overtime victory.
