Because of his superb performance on the field in 2023, punter Thomas Morstead became a fan favorite among Jets fans.
The 16-year veteran sees all the messages on social media and appreciates all the support from Gang Green fans. Especially since he recently signed a two-year deal to remain with the team.
“It is meaningful,” Morstead told the Daily News. “The fans are the drive behind everything. That’s why I have my job, that’s why I get paid because of fan support. People watching the games, buying jerseys and supporting their team. It is a really cool thing to feel supported and to be appreciated and loved by the fans.
“It can’t be what drives you because fans are fanatics and they can love you one weekend and not the next. … It is cool to have a genuine appreciation from some of the big, big Jets fans or whatever team you can play for. I definitely see it, and it is definitely appreciated, and we are just glad to be back.”
Re-signing Morstead was arguably the easiest decision the Jets made this offseason. In 2023, he was one of the best punters in the NFL, using his ability to flip field position and pin opponents back inside their 20-yard line.
Morstead was 11th in punting average last season (48.8) and led the league in total yards (4,831). He was also second (36) in punts inside the 20-yard line and helped the Jets defense record three safeties in 2023, which was the most of any team.
Special teams are an area that often gets overlooked, but one that could decide which team ultimately wins the game.
Considering how much the Jets offense struggled after Aaron Rodgers tore his Achilles four plays into the team’s season debut last September, Morstead was a key weapon for the Jets. All three of the safeties happened after he punted the ball inside the 10-yard line.
The Jets originally signed Morstead in 2021 to fill in for then-punter Braden Mann. After the team released him later that season, Morstead moved on to the Falcons and then the Dolphins in 2022 before signing back with the Jets last offseason after the team released Mann.
Morstead spent 12 seasons with the Saints before departing following the 2020 season. After signing a two-year contract for more than $5 million, Morstead says it is great to finally have some stability after moving around the last few seasons.
“It is hard to quantify the value of that not only for me but for the team,” Morstead said. “The nature of this business is very cutthroat and it is also one of the things that make it special. Sometimes, the best way to get the best out of your players is not to create uncertainty in this fight-or-fire type of space, obviously when you validate yourself and show you’re worth investing in. When you do provide that stability with the right guys, they should flourish. I think the Jets saw that last year and why I was so well compensated during my time in New Orleans.
“You provide me stability, it allows me to get my ducks lined up with my family and it just makes everything a lot smoother and a lot less things to be anxious or worried about. So we are very grateful for it.”
This offseason has been busy for Morstead. Following the Jets’ disappointing 7-10 finish, he and his family went on their annual ski trip. Following the ski trip, Morstead and his family returned to New Orleans, the city they call home. He also spent time as an executive member of the NFL’s players’ union for offseason meetings.
With all that’s going on, Morstead still finds time to stay in shape during the offseason, no matter where he is.
“That is like brushing my teeth,” Morstead said. “No matter how busy you are, you brush your teeth in the morning as you don’t want your teeth to fall out. No matter where I’m at, I’m training and I really don’t stop.
“When I went skiing for two weeks, I didn’t touch a weight for two weeks, which is what I do when I go on that trip in February. I don’t punt a ball until April. As far as staying in the gym, that doesn’t really stop.
“The thing I realize as you get older is, I’m still making gains but they’re small. But when you take big chunks of time off, it takes so much time to re-gain, I’m smart with how I do it. Taking a month and a half off is not for me. I feel like it would take so long even to try to get close to where I’ve been, I really don’t stop in the gym.”
In addition to Morstead, the Jets have made a few moves with the hopes of making the playoffs for the first time since 2010. Gang Green’s priority was to improve its offensive line, and it did that after signing left guard John Simpson and acquiring right tackle Morgan Moses in a trade with the Ravens.
The Jets also added Tyrod Taylor to back up Rodgers and signed defensive tackles Leki Fotu and Javon Kinlaw.
In his first season in the NFL (2009), Morstead won a Super Bowl with the Saints. He hopes to experience more winning moments, this time with the Jets.
“I’m excited to be back, I’m excited to be part of hopefully a significantly different season,” Morstead said. “I want to be part of a winning team and add as much value as I can to that team, whether it is on the field or being a mentor to younger players. Whatever I can do to be helpful that’s what I want to do.
“I’m very excited on what’s to come. Every season, so many unexpected things that happen and that’s the exciting part about it. You don’t know how it is going to go.
“All you know is that if you won’t be the best version of yourself and add as much value as you can, you won’t ever know the maximum in terms of production. I’m really looking forward to it. I’m excited to be home here for the next two months and get some nontraveling time with the family. But I can’t wait for the season.”
