One of the most thankless jobs in the NFL is being a punter, and the Philadelphia Eagles fan base may not know how good they have it with their current starter, Braden Mann.
After starting his first three years of his NFL, with the New York Jets, Mann has spent the last two seasons with the Eagles. He has shown significant improvement since his time in New York, as 2023 saw career highs in yards per punt (49.8) and net yards per punt (43.8).
Last year was considered a down year for Mann as he was called upon to kick 10 more punts, but his net yards per punt and yards per punt drop, and he increased his touchbacks from one in 2023 to seven in 2024. He even had one punt blocked last year, only the second time it has happened in his career.
How 2025 has turned things around for Mann early in the season
Mann has certainly played this 2025 season with some urgency after the down year and has exceeded all expectations from the Eagles fan base. He is on pace for having career-highs in all the major punting categories.
Category | Numbers (Through Two Games) | NFL Rankings |
|---|---|---|
Yards Per Punt | 52.5 | 4th |
Net Yards Per Punt | 44.8 | 8th |
Long | 70 | 2nd |
Both the yards per punt and net yards per punt would be career-highs for Mann if the season ended today. He has played some big moments through two games this season.
In the Eagles' Week 1 win over the Dallas Cowboys, Mann had two great punts in the fourth quarter that pinned the Cowboys inside the 20-yard line. They did not score any points on those drives.
Mann had similar success in the win over the Kansas City Chiefs last week, as he started the game with a perfect 41-yard punt that pinned the Chiefs at their own nine-yard line, where they would ultimately go three and out. He also had a booming 70-yard punt that would be the second-longest kick in the NFL this season.
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No one might be noticing how good a season Mann is, but his stellar play could continue to help the Eagles pick up these tough wins they have been having in 2025.