Punter Ryan Allen reportedly agrees to one-year deal to stay with the Patriots
The Patriots have checked another item off the to-do list in NFL free agency, reportedly agreeing to a one-year deal with punter Ryan Allen.
ATLANTA, GEORGIA – FEBRUARY 03: Ryan Allen of the New England Patriots punts the ball against the Los Angeles Rams in the second quarter during Super Bowl LIII at Mercedes-Benz Stadium. (Photo by Scott Cunningham/Getty Images)
Scott Cunningham/Getty Images
Scott Cunningham/Getty ImagesATLANTA, GEORGIA - FEBRUARY 03: Ryan Allen of the New England Patriots punts the ball against the Los Angeles Rams in the second quarter during Super Bowl LIII at Mercedes-Benz Stadium. (Photo by Scott Cunningham/Getty Images)
From the NFL Newswire at 985TheSportsHub.com
The Patriots no longer have to worry about the punter. They're keeping Ryan Allen on a one-year deal in 2019, as first reported by Ian Rapoport and Mike Reiss.
Allen has punted for the Patriots since 2013. He out-performed last year's camp competition, current Bills punter Corey Bojorquez, to hold on to his job.
Speaking of that, he did his job as well as any Patriot in Super Bowl LIII against the Rams. He bested Rams punter Johnny Hekker, a Belichick favorite, in a 13-3 Pats win that featured a more compelling special teams battle than anyone imagined. Allen and Matthew Slater proved to be a lethal combination for the Rams in the battle for field position.
Special teams remains a priority for the Patriots as NFL free agency rolls along, with Allen simply the latest item checked off the to-do list. Kicker Stephen Gostkowski is still on the open market. They also signed former Jets special teams cornerstone Terrence Brooks to a one-year deal.
They no longer have to be concerned about the punter position, though. Perhaps Allen gets more competition in camp. But his deal suggests that he'll again be at the top of the heap come September.
Click here for all Patriots/NFL updates from 985TheSportsHub.com.
