Eric Canha-USA TODAY Sports

The New England Patriots have parted ways with punter Jake Bailey after a turbulent seven months.

Bailey, 25, signed a four-year, $13.5 million contract extension on Aug. 1.

He landed on injured reserve with a back injury on Nov. 19 and returned to practice on Dec. 21.

In January, the Patriots suspended Bailey for undisclosed reasons for the final two games of the season.

ESPN reported at the time that the suspension was "due, in part, to differing viewpoints on if Bailey was ready to return to game action."

Bailey, whose punting job was taken by Michael Palardy, later filed a grievance against the Patriots regarding the suspension.

The Patriots announced his release on Friday.

Bailey, an All-Pro and Pro Bowl selection in 2020, posted career-worst averages in gross (42.1) and net punting average (35.1) in nine games in 2022.

He appeared in 58 games with the Patriots, who drafted him in the fifth round in 2019.

More must-reads:

TODAY'S BEST
Frank Vogel fell victim to a Suns ownership group eager to win
Luka Doncic hands OKC first playoff loss with gutsy Game 2 effort
Three takeaways as Rangers take commanding 3-0 series lead on Hurricanes
Rams make surprising move with former team captain
Ohio State AD is wrong for thinking Michigan wins deserve asterisk
Padres OF Jurickson Profar is a legitimate MVP candidate
Steelers' Cameron Heyward comments on controversial Justin Fields idea
Pacers coach claims officials are biased against 'small market' teams
14-year-old phenom signs unprecedented MLS deal that includes future Man City transfer
Tiger Woods, Rory McIlroy's 'soured' relationship paints murky future for PGA Tour
Stars almost blow another lead, even series with Avalanche
Auburn's Hugh Freeze uncomfortable with 'bidding wars' for top players in transfer portal
Cavaliers punch back, blow out Celtics in Game 2
Coach: Oilers star center could miss Game 2 vs. Canucks
Watch: Cavaliers' Evan Mobley turns defense into offense in Game 2 vs. Celtics
Xander Schauffele tops stacked leaderboard after first round of Wells Fargo Championship
Suns talks with head-coaching target 'expected to move quickly'
Knicks get even more bad injury news ahead of Game 3
2008 Celtics champion sentenced to prison despite emotional plea
Skip Bayless makes huge Tom Brady prediction after Netflix roast

Want more Patriots news?

Join the hundreds of thousands of fans who start their day with Yardbarker's Morning Bark, the best newsletter in sports.