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Veteran NFL Punter Getting Cut At 35 On Thursday

Originally posted on The Spun | By Tzvi Machlin | Last updated Mar 6, 2025 4:11 PM ET

The 2025 NFL free agency period is just around the corner and a ton of veterans are going to be available on the open market for the start of it. The latest name being added is a 35-year-old veteran punter.

According to NFL insider Ian Rapoport, the Bills are set to release punter Sam Martin before the final year of his contract. Per the report, the two sides have mutually agreed to part ways so he can find a new team faster.

"The #Bills are releasing P Sam Martin today, source says. Martin is in the final year of his contract, and after discussions aimed at keeping him in Buffalo, the two parties decided to part ways. Martin gets released now and can sign immediately," Rapoport wrote.

The #Bills are releasing P Sam Martin today, source says.

Martin is in the final year of his contract, and after discussions aimed at keeping him in Buffalo, the two parties decided to part ways. Martin gets released now and can sign immediately. pic.twitter.com/YesmZzTaKz
— Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) March 6, 2025

Martin is a 12-year NFL veteran who played three years for the Bills following seven years with the Detroit Lions and two with the Denver Broncos. He has averaged 46.2 yards per punt and 41 net yards per punt over his career.

This past season was a solid year for Martin as he averaged 46.7 yards per punt and 39.8 net yards per punt while downing 25 of his 54 punts inside the opposing 20. He had one punt blocked.

LONDON, ENGLAND - OCTOBER 08: Sam Martin #8 of the Buffalo Bills kicks the ball in the first Quarter during the NFL Match between Jacksonville Jaguars and Buffalo Bills at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium on October 08, 2023 in London, England. (Photo by Henry Browne/Getty Images)Henry Browne/Getty Images

Over Martin's 12 years in the NFL he's played in 189 games and made over 750 punts. While he's never been voted to the Pro Bowl or an All-Pro team, he ranks 19th in NFL history for punting average and is in the top 50 for all-time punting yards.

At 35 years of age, Martin's NFL status for 2025 is far from assured. NFL teams seem to be more interested in going younger and cheaper at special teams when they get a chance and Martin likely wouldn't fit either category.

But if Martin opted to get released early in order to get a leg up on free agency, maybe he already has a suitable destination lined up.

Where do you think Sam Martin will be playing in 2025?

This article first appeared on The Spun and was syndicated with permission.

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