The Patriots punter competition shifted when New England signed veteran punter Matt Haack after a reported tightness for incumbent Bryce Baringer in the second preseason game. A non-punter, Behren Morton, handled punts late in that contest and averaged 44.3 yards on a very small sample. MusketFire first reported the sequence of events; this article summarizes the report, the verified numbers, and what remains unconfirmed.
Haack’s addition gives the Patriots an experienced, league-tested alternative while the club evaluates Baringer’s condition and the limited preseason evidence. The move is presented in reporting as a precautionary roster step and not an official long-term decision; all projections below are labeled as such and grounded to MusketFire’s reporting.
Patriots punter competition: who’s in the mix
Based on the reporting, three names are part of the immediate conversation: veteran Matt Haack (signed to camp), incumbent Bryce Baringer (the team’s regular punter), and the non-punter who finished punting in the preseason appearance, Behren Morton. MusketFire describes Haack as an undrafted entrant from 2017 who has punted for multiple NFL clubs and provides the statistical snapshot summarized below.
Baringer remains the incumbent and carries the larger regular-season and playoff sample that teams typically prioritize. MusketFire reported that Baringer felt tightness after his second preseason punt versus Philadelphia, which is why Morton—a non-punter in that game context—took over. Morton’s 44.3-yard average in that limited outing is notable as an emergency-level performance but is explicitly a small sample and not evidence of role change on its own.
Haack’s history and the Cardinals sample are presented in the report as the reason New England added him: a 51.3-yard gross average with a 43.4-yard net on 25 reported punts (per MusketFire). That 25-punt sample is limited but suggests the veteran can provide coverage while the Patriots sort Baringer’s status and evaluate preseason results.
By the numbers
The table uses only the figures reported by MusketFire. Taken together, the numbers show Haack with a strong, short Cardinals sample last season, while Baringer’s larger regular-season and playoff samples show a lower net average in postseason play. Morton’s result is a single preseason outing and not a baseline for season projections.
How this competition matters for field position and special teams
Punting influences starting field position, fourth-down decision-making, and late-game strategy. Gross average measures distance, but net average better captures opponent starting field position because it accounts for return yards and touchbacks. A one- to three-yard swing in net average can translate to meaningful shifts in opponent starting territory over a season and alter fourth-down aggression.
Inside-the-20 placement, hang time (which limits return opportunities), and directional accuracy are practical components coaches weigh alongside raw distance. Adding Haack gives New England an experienced leg that MusketFire reports as having strong gross and net numbers in a small recent sample; that could buy the coaching staff time to evaluate Baringer’s health without rushing a roster decision.
From a roster-building perspective, carrying a veteran emergency option can provide short-term flexibility elsewhere on the 53-man roster. If Haack performs well in camp and preseason reps (a projection described in the reporting), the Patriots could delay or alter roster choices that would otherwise reserve a spot solely for a contingency punter.
Rumors / Projections
- MusketFire reports the Haack signing and Baringer’s reported tightness; the story frames potential outcomes as projections rather than confirmed moves. Treat any statement that Haack “will win the job” as speculative unless confirmed by the team.
- Projected roster scenarios in the report include short-term camp competition and the possibility Haack could handle punts early if Baringer needs time to clear up tightness. These are presented as plausible outcomes in MusketFire’s analysis, not as official Patriots decisions.
- Claims that Baringer will miss multiple regular-season games are projections and not established fact in the cited reporting. Fans should watch team injury reports and official roster releases for confirmation.
Any longer-term conclusion about the punting job will require larger samples in regular-season play and an official health update from the Patriots. The club has not issued an injury designation or roster decision tied to this reporting at the time of publication.
What remains unclear
- The exact nature and severity of Bryce Baringer‘s reported tightness: MusketFire labels it as a reported condition; there is no official injury designation cited in that report.
- The timeline for a final roster decision at punter: the team has not announced a date for a decision, and preseason performance windows are small.
- How coaches will weigh a limited Haack sample against Baringer’s larger career data: any season-long projection is speculative until in-season performance and medical clarity arrive.
Fans should treat MusketFire’s piece as the reporting basis for this update and monitor official New England Patriots communications for confirmation of roster moves or injury designations.
Source attribution
This article is grounded in reporting from MusketFire: Patriots’ newest position battle could prove to hold the key to their season. MusketFire is the source for the punting figures cited above. Check official New England Patriots releases for roster moves and injury designations as the team publishes them.
Note: projections and scenario language above reflect MusketFire’s reporting and analysis; they are not official statements from the Patriots organization.
