The New England Patriots have seen a significant overhaul of their special teams unit, losing over 1,600 combined snaps after five of their top ten special teamers departed this offseason (excluding K/P).
They’ve made an effort to fill those snaps with veterans and rookies alike. Waiver claims Cam Latu and Darius Muasau will have large roles on the unit this season, while a pair of TCU rookies, Namdi Obiazor and Channing Canada, also played large roles in Week 1.
During Week 2 of preseason against the Eagles, A.J. Brown competing against his former team was, of course, the primary headline. A lesser-covered element of the game that affected the Patriots’ roster construction, however, was an injury sustained by punter Bryce Baringer.
After a pair of punts in the first half against Philadelphia, Baringer was sidelined and replaced by third-string rookie quarterback Behren Morton. Morton was the emergency punter during college at Texas Tech after punting in high school, and he had a respectable night considering he was thrust into the role.
While it was an interesting preseason watch, the Patriots signed a punter a few days later, adding veteran Matt Haack for the final week of preseason. It was presumed that he would be the punter for the first month of the regular season until Baringer returned.
Despite Baringer being placed on IR, Haack was also released, in spite of a very strong punting day in which he placed three of his four punts inside the 20-yard line. The Patriots instead added veteran Mitch Wishnowski, an Australian national, to their practice squad.
Wishnowski, 34, spent six seasons with the 49ers after being selected in the fourth round of the 2019 NFL Draft before playing 13 games for the Bills last season. He lost the job to rookie Tommy Doman in Buffalo, but it appears he may have the opportunity to stick around in New England.
Mitch Wishnowski could steal Bryce Baringer’s job as Patriots’ punter
Baringer’s injury has opened the door for Wishnowski to nail down a more permanent role. Baringer was selected in the sixth round from Michigan State in 2023 and has spent three years with the Patriots.
The team didn't bring in any punting competition for him this offseason, meaning they had confidence in him to be one of the leaders of their special teams. However, his injury, paired with Wishnowski's performance, could derail his future with the team.
In the opener, the Australian punted four times, averaging 44.3 yards per kick and placing three inside the 20. Rashid Shaheed, one of the league's best return men, returned only one punt for nine yards.
If Wishnowski can make the most of his opportunity over the first few weeks, perhaps Springer and company would prefer to stick with the hot hand. Baringer is in the final year of his deal, making long-term cap implications a non-factor.
The team could look to replace the last pieces of the special teams unit at the end of this season, which means they already plan to replace Baringer, who would likely receive $2.5 to $3 million per year on an extension.
In the short term, the Patriots may look to keep the better punter rather than the more established one, before potentially finding a new one ahead of the 2027 season. If that's the case, Wishnowski could find himself as the punter for the rest of the season if he can continue his solid play.
He has a few weeks until Baringer returns, and it will be key for the veteran to make the most of that time.
Add us as a preferred source on Google