Titans Punter Should Have Big Impact

The Tennessee Titans should be improved on special teams this season with an award-winning punter.

Carolina Panthers punter Johnny Hekker during warm ups before the game at Bank of America Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Bob Donnan-Imagn Images | Bob Donnan-Imagn Images

The Tennessee Titans made a surprising change on special teams this offseason, saying goodbye to the team's incumbent punter Ryan Stonehouse.

Stonehouse, 25, joined the Titans as an undrafted free agent in 2022 to compete against Brett Kern for the starting job. When the Titans cut Kern, Stonehouse took over and had the job ever since, until the team decided to not re-sign him this offseason.

The move was a surprise to Stonehouse, but the Titans were able to replace him with Johnny Hekker, who is one of the most decorated punters in NFL history. Hekker played last season with the Carolina Panthers, and Sports Illustrated writer Ryan Phillips believes that he is the biggest loss in free agency for the NFC South franchise.

"Yes, losing a punter can be significant. Hekker didn't have his best season in 2024, as he ranked 12th in net punting (41.9 yards per punt) and 28th in average yards per punt (45.7), but he was eighth in average return yards (6.8)," Phillips writes.

"The 35-year-old is a six-time All-Pro (four first-team selections) and was a member of the NFL's 2010s All-Decade team. He has a long track record of success and it's always risky to make big changes to special teams units. Hekker was allowed to leave and signed a one-year deal with the Titans."

Hekker has 13 years of NFL experience, playing with the St. Louis and Los Angeles Rams from 2012-21 before three seasons with the Panthers.

The Titans aren't expected to be very good for the 2025 season, so having a punter that can be one of the best in the NFL will be key. Hekker will be able to get the Titans' special teams unit in check as they look to find ways to improve the totality of the roster for the upcoming season.

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