Punter Austin McNamara, who signed with the Jets in free agency last March after not being selected in the 2024 NFL Draft, was named the AFC Special Teams Player of the Month for November after producing a 43.5-yard average (third best among qualifiers) in the Green & White's four games.
"Mac, he is a weapon, and I call him a weapon," HC Aaron Glenn said after last Sunday's win over Atlanta. "We call him our sniper because he has the ability to flip the field for us at any given time. But it's the collective unit that I look at. We have a damn good punter."
In the win over the Falcons, McNamara, 24, lofted a second-quarter punt 37 yards to the Atlanta 7-yard line where it was muffed and recovered on the 2-yard line by gunner CB Qwan'tez Stiggers. Two plays later Breece Hall scored the game's first TD. Then, with less than 2 minutes to play and the game tied, 24-24, the former Texas Tech punter landed a 56-yard boot at the Atlanta 9-yard line. After several changes of possession, the Jets came away with the win on Nick Folk's 56-yard FG.
"It's obviously very exciting, very humbling for me," McNamara, an Arizona native who punted, kicked off and was the placekicker since his freshman season in college for the Red Raiders. "AG, [special teams] Coach [Chris] Banjo, they've been with me since Day 1. They're the reason why I'm here, and so I'm very grateful to be here and be one of their guys. I'm just trying to do my part, and help the team out, put us in the best position possible to win. So it makes me, keeps me motivated, for sure. Obviously, I want to play for those guys, play for my teammates, and play for these fans in this organization. So, I'm excited to be here."
Against the Falcons, McNamara punted 6 times for an average of 49.3 yards, including a long of 56, landing three boots inside the 20-yard line. Through 12 games, McNamara is No. 4 in the league with 20 punts landed inside the 20-yard line and is No. 3 in return yards allowed (89 yards). He punted 20 times in 4 games in November, landing 11 inside the 20 and the Jets' special teams allowed 14 total return yards. As a team, the Jets are No. 2 in yards allowed per punt return (5.6 per return) this season (Washington is No. 1 at 3.8).
In addition to his punting duties, McNamara kicks off and also serves as the holder for Folk, who has missed only one field-goal attempt (and has been perfect on PATs) this season.
"Our guys have done a great job covering," McNamara said. "Consistency is the main part of the game, at least for punters. And so if you're consistent I've learned that you'll be able to play for a long time. So that's what I'm trying to work toward."
Finally, according to StatsPass.com, McNamara (6-4, 204) unofficially is among the top punters in the NFL in hangtime. McNamara (4.79 seconds) and JK Scott (4.83) of the Los Angeles Chargers keep trading places at the top.
