Buccaneers Sign Record-Breaking CFL All-Star to 2025 Futures Contract

Edmonton Elks punter Jake Julien could be the punter the Tampa Bay Buccaneers need in 2025.

Jul 29, 2022; Foxborough, MA, USA; New England Patriots punter Jake Julien (62) walks onto the field during training camp at Gillette Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Brian Fluharty-Imagn Images | Brian Fluharty-Imagn Images

The Tampa Bay Buccaneers have had a bit of a wonky punting situation in 2024.

They started out with punter Jake Camarda, who carried over from last season, but after averaging just 36.5 net yards per punt, Camarda was released. That led to the team signing Trenton Gill, but Gill averaged just 38.7 net yards per punt and also kicked a kickoff out of bounds against the Carolina Panthers that led to points, so he was released. Finally, the Bucs went with Jack Browning, who was worse than Camarda, averaging 34.6 yards per punt.

Naturally, the team will be looking for a new punter. So they didn't just sign a new punter to a futures contract, they signed one of the best punters the Canadian Football League has in a while in the Edmonton Elks' Jake Julien.

#Buccaneers signing strong-legged, All @CFL @GoElks punter Jake Julien to a reserve-future deal, worked him out in December, per a league source @KPRC2

— Aaron Wilson (@AaronWilson_NFL) January 16, 2025

Julien, from Barrie, Ontario, Canada, punted for Eastern Michigan in college and had a preseason stint with the New England Patriots before heading to the Canadian Football League. Julien had a preseason stint with the Ottawa Redblacks before landing with the Elks, and his 2024 season was one for the record books.

Julien averaged 54.0 yards per punt with a long of 87. That first number is the best punting average in CFL history, besting fellow Canadian native and former Seattle Seahawks punter Jon Ryan's previous record of 50.6 in 2005. His efforts were enough to award him a CFL All-Star nod with the Elks in 2024.

Julien will of course have competition in training camp to be Tampa Bay's next punter, but the big-legged Canadian may be what the Bucs are looking for as they try to solve one of their most persistent issues from the 2024 season.

---

Stick with BucsGameday for more coverage of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers throughout the 2024 season.

Follow BucsGameday on Twitter and Facebook

• Buccaneers Select Ohio State Star WR in Mock Draft as Baker Mayfield’s New Weapon

• Buccaneers GM Jason Licht Hints at Future for HC Todd Bowles

• How Much Cap Space Do the Buccaneers Have Heading Into This Offseason?

• Buccaneers OC Liam Coen Interviewing for Jaguars HC Position Wednesday