The Tennessee Titans appear to be placing a great emphasis on familiarity as they build their special teams unit for 2025 and beyond. How else would one explain the decision to part ways with Ryan Stonehouse and bring in a more veteran option in former Los Angeles Rams and Carolina Panthers punter Johnny Hekker?
Despite the fact that Stonehouse has spent the last few years establishing himself as one of the best punters in the league, it seems like the desire to remake a laughably bad kick coverage unit from last year may have prompted the new regime to get rid of him and fork over the cash to a veteran like Hekker.
Hekker, who is entering his 14th season in the NFL, has agreed to a one-year, fully guaranteed contract with the Titans. This was assuredly influenced by special teams coordinator John Fassel, who had worked with Hekker in the past during their days with the Rams.
Titans swap punter Ryan Stonehouse for veteran Johnny Hekker
Hekker averaged 47.0 yards per punt in his three seasons with the Panthers, where Bryce Young gave him plenty of opportunities to show off his thundering leg. This is almost exactly in-line with the 46.7 yards per punt he amassed during his time with the Rams.
Only Shane Lechler, regarded by many as the greatest punter ever, has more First Team All-Pro nods as a punter in NFL history than Hekker's four. However, Hekker hasn't made a Pro Bowl since 2017 or an All-Pro team since 2018. His best days as a punter are behind.
Meanwhile, Stonehouse could retire today and hold the NFL record for most yards per punt at an astonishing 52.2 per kick (Lechler had 47.6 in his career, for reference). Stonehouse set an NFL record in his rookie season with 53.1 yards per punt (breaking Sammy Baugh's record of 51.4 from 1940), and then tied that mark in 2023.
In terms of pinning the opponent deep, Stonehouse has proven to be historically good to this point. Parting with him for Hekker may not matter in the win-loss column much, but it does seem odd to part ways with a player who has been so good for so long.