Thomas Morstead. Kirby Lee-Imagn Images

49ers make special teams change by releasing punter, signing veteran

Originally posted on Larry Brown Sports | By Larry Brown | Last updated May 28, 2025 5:53 PM ET

The San Francisco 49ers have made a change at the punter position.

The Niners on Wednesday signed veteran punter Thomas Morstead to a one-year deal. They cut Mitch Wishnowsky to make room for Morstead on the roster.

The 39-year-old Morstead was a fifth-round pick by the New Orleans Saints in 2009 and spent his first 12 seasons with them. After stints with the Jets, Falcons and Dolphins, Morstead returned to the Jets, spending the 2023 and 2024 seasons with them. He averaged 47.2 yards per punt last season, which was down from the 48.8 yards per punt he averaged the year before. Morstead also had an 11.1% touchback rate, which was the worst mark of his career.

The punter Morstead is replacing — Wishnowsky — averaged 45.2 yards per punt over nine games last season. The 33-year-old missed time due to a back injury.

Morstead is pretty thrilled about his new team. He shared a photo on X Wednesday of him outside Levi’s Stadium.

Grateful is an understatement!#49ers pic.twitter.com/VMaopGt2YD
— Thomas Morstead (@thomasmorstead) May 28, 2025

Wondering if Morstead still has it?

If you’re wondering whether Morstead can still be an effective punter at 39 and entering Year 17 in the NFL, he attempted to answer that recently. He shared a video of himself doing some punting workouts at Tulane's Yulman Stadium.