Since he signed with the Kansas City Chiefs as an undrafted free agent back in 2020, punter Tommy Townsend has managed to cement his status as one of the better players throughout the league at his position. While the former Florida Gator technically did hit restricted free agency this offseason, he'll be back with the Chiefs for at least one more season.
Per a Tuesday afternoon report by Field Yates of ESPN, Townsend has re-signed with the team for the 2023 campaign:
Chiefs All Pro P Tommy Townsend has re-signed with Kansas City. He had been tendered as a restricted free agent at the original round tender. - Field Yates (@FieldYates) on Tuesday, April 25, 2023 at 4:11 p.m. CT
Back in March, Kansas City placed an original round tender on Townsend as free agency was approaching. Because Townsend went undrafted in 2020, the team wouldn't be receiving any compensation in the event he signed with a new squad this offseason but would get the first right of refusal had an offer been submitted. The tender was for $2.6 million, netting the 26-year-old more money this season than in his first three years combined.
In 49 career regular-season games with the Chiefs, Townsend has averaged 47.6 yards per punt and logged 43.7% of them inside the opposing 20-yard line. He has a career net average of 43.2 yards. This past season, Townsend posted career-highs in yards per punt (50.4) and net yards per punt (45.6), landing him his first Pro Bowl and All-Pro nods ever. He finished second in the NFL in average yards per punt and had a better net average than anyone in the league, providing Kansas City with consistent play and helping pin opponents deep in their own territory.
Now officially back in the fold for the 2023-24 season, the Chiefs don't have to worry about replacing one of their more reliable players. Townsend gets a sizable raise on the salary for the tender and in turn, Kansas City maintains stability at a key special teams position.
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