Punter AJ Cole has been a particular groups weapon for the Las Vegas Raiders since becoming a member of the workforce in 2019. The Raiders are ensuring they don’t seem to be shedding their punter for the foreseeable future.
In keeping with Jordan Schultz of Fox Sports on Monday, the Raiders and Cole agreed to a four-year, $15.8M extension with $11M assured, making him the highest-paid punter within the NFL.
Cole, 29, entered the NFL in 2019 as an undrafted free agent when he beat out Johnny Townsend. He was a first-team All-Professional punter in 2021 and 2023 and appeared within the Professional Bowl from 2021-23.
Cole turns into the third Raider to obtain a contract extension this offseason. Star pass rusher Maxx Crosby inked a three-year deal value $106.5M with $91.5M assured and quarterback Geno Smith signed a two-year, $75M extension after he was acquired in a commerce from the Seattle Seahawks.
It’s a rewarding deal for Cole when all he does is give the particular groups a bonus when he trots out on the sector and pins groups contained in the 20-yard line. Similar to final season, when he punted 65 instances, with 27 of these ending up contained in the 20.
The Raiders have not missed a step in having punters which might be profitable like Cole. He succeeded Marquette King, who’s fourth in punting yards for the workforce. Earlier than King it was Shane Lechler, who was a six-time first-team All-Professional and tops amongst Raiders punters in yards (48,215). Then there’s Corridor of Famer Ray Man, who’s a six-time first-team All-Professional and appeared within the Professional Bowl seven instances.
Cole, who may very well be on his approach to having a Corridor of Fame profession, told Schultz he desires to play till he’s 40. He additionally stated “I like the group, I like the followers and I like Las Vegas.”
There isn’t any denying Cole turned an immediate hit for the Raiders when he walked into the previous workforce headquarters in Alameda, California, and has since change into a reliable punter for the group. Cole getting an extension is an efficient signal that he’s staying with the franchise till the tip of his profession.
