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During the free agency frenzy earlier this month, one of the Tennessee Titans' notable moves was something they didn't do. They opted not to assign Ryan Stonehouse his restricted free agent tender, making him a free agent.
It didn't take long for someone to scoop him up as he signed with the Miami Dolphins on March 16, just five days after the Titans' decision.
Many around the league and even some within the Titans organization were surprised by the move. Stonehouse was a reliable punter, and last season's special teams issues weren't a result of his performance. Even Stonehouse was surprised that the Titans decided not to keep him.
"I was surprised," Stonehouse told reporters this week. "I think a lot of other people were as well. I truly didn’t expect it. I’m a guy that I like to be where my feet are, been training in that building ever since I stepped foot in it three years ago. I thought it would be a little bit different, just more clarity would have been nice, but it is what it is and I’m excited for this new opportunity."
Stonehouse signed with the Titans in May 2022 as an undrafted free agent. He worked out with the team throughout the offseason and earned the starting spot when the Titans released Brett Kern as part of their 53-man roster cuts that August. He held that role for three seasons, even returning from an ACL tear in 2023 in time to play in 2024. He set an NFL punting record in 2022, averaging 53.1 yards per punt, a record that still stands.
In his place, the Titans signed veteran punter Johnny Hekker.
Hekker hasn't missed a single game in his entire 13-year NFL career. He spent 10 seasons with the Los Angeles Rams and was with the Carolina Panthers from 2022-2024. The Titans likely landed with Hekker because of his overall health and consistency on the field, although some still believe that Stonehouse should be wearing two-tone blue this fall.
This article originally appeared on Titans Wire: Ex-Titans punter Ryan Stonehouse 'surprised' team didn't keep him
Continue reading...
It didn't take long for someone to scoop him up as he signed with the Miami Dolphins on March 16, just five days after the Titans' decision.
Many around the league and even some within the Titans organization were surprised by the move. Stonehouse was a reliable punter, and last season's special teams issues weren't a result of his performance. Even Stonehouse was surprised that the Titans decided not to keep him.
"I was surprised," Stonehouse told reporters this week. "I think a lot of other people were as well. I truly didn’t expect it. I’m a guy that I like to be where my feet are, been training in that building ever since I stepped foot in it three years ago. I thought it would be a little bit different, just more clarity would have been nice, but it is what it is and I’m excited for this new opportunity."
Stonehouse signed with the Titans in May 2022 as an undrafted free agent. He worked out with the team throughout the offseason and earned the starting spot when the Titans released Brett Kern as part of their 53-man roster cuts that August. He held that role for three seasons, even returning from an ACL tear in 2023 in time to play in 2024. He set an NFL punting record in 2022, averaging 53.1 yards per punt, a record that still stands.
In his place, the Titans signed veteran punter Johnny Hekker.
Hekker hasn't missed a single game in his entire 13-year NFL career. He spent 10 seasons with the Los Angeles Rams and was with the Carolina Panthers from 2022-2024. The Titans likely landed with Hekker because of his overall health and consistency on the field, although some still believe that Stonehouse should be wearing two-tone blue this fall.
This article originally appeared on Titans Wire: Ex-Titans punter Ryan Stonehouse 'surprised' team didn't keep him
Continue reading...
