Ryan Stonehouse out as Titans punter: his reaction and why the team soured on the NFL record setter and won't sign in free agency

Stonehouse himself confirmed the news on X, sending a heartfelt message to Nashville and his old team.

Stonehouse came into the offseason as a Restricted Free Agent, meaning his contract status was up in the air, but the Titans had the right to tender and retain him at a fixed cost.

Why Tennessee Wants Someone New

That was a move it seems most everybody figured was a foregone conclusion. But in hindsight, the writing was already somewhat on the wall when it comes to the Titans opinion of Stonehouse.

Special Teams frustrations were a weekly topic in 2024, and Brian Callahan and his staff didn't shy away from including their punter in those discussions. Early in the season their primary issue was protecting Stonehouse on punts, but once the issue shifted later in the season to an inability to cover punts downfield on the return, his name was brought up at more than one podium availability.

Stonehouse made a name for himself with his booming leg and impressive distance statistics. After beating out Titans legend Brett Kern in training camp his rookie season, he went on to immediately break the NFL record for yards per punt. His cannon of a leg made him an immediately beloved player on an otherwise shaky unit.

But that was in 2022, two General Managers ago. Practically nobody that was involved in acquiring or promoting Stonehouse is in the building any longer. And this new regime, most recently headed up by new Special Teams Coordinator John "Bones" Fassel, wants a punter with a different skillset. Frustrations with Stonehouse's ability as a directional punter as well as his hangtime numbers were common last year. Coaches felt he was too often outkicking his coverage, and this was a point of contention for a lot of the season.

Those frustrations, paired with the facts that this staff is all relatively new and Stonehouse's contract is up, have all culminated in his departure.

Stonehouse Set Up To Fail

The decision to move on from Stonehouse comes as a shock to Titans fans. It was just as shocking for Stonehouse, who planned to be back in 2025. Quite frankly, the Titans have done nothing but set Stonehouse up to fail for the last two seasons.

After breaking the NFL’s all time record for yards per punt in 2022 as a rookie, Stonehouse was pacing for another successful season before his devastating 2023 injury. The Titans punt team was unable to protect him. In December of 2023, that led to two blocked punts in the same game, the second of which included a torn ACL and broken leg for Stonehouse.

This past season, the Titans front office never prioritized the special teams unit. Players like Hassan Haskins and Elijah Molden were sent packing while first-year special teams coordinator Colt Anderson “assumed guys knew what they were doing.” He admitted as much to the media towards the end of the season.

Players with little to no experience on special teams were put in big spots on kickoff and punt team. But still, the Titans pointed the finger in all the wrong directions. The mid-season addition of Justin Hardee not only improved the performance of the punt team, but also led to development from Bryce Oliver and other special teamers. From Week 10 on, Stonehouse was averaging just over 44 net yards per punt. That would have been a Top 3 unit across the entire NFL. It’s puzzling that the Titans could blame him for the unit’s shortcomings at the beginning of the season and not care about retaining him in 2025.

Perhaps it will end up being better for Stonehouse to go somewhere he has more support. Denver just lost Riley Dixon to Tampa Bay in free agency and Stonehouse played his college ball at Colorado St. Wherever he lands, it’s a huge loss for Titans fans and a questionable decision by the organization to many.