A.J. Cole, the very good punter for the aforementioned Las Vegas Raiders, just became the first one ever to. He cemented his status as the highest-paid punter in the NFL with a four-year, $15.8 million extension! This important breakthrough comes just as the 29-year-old prepares to begin the last season of his old deal. That’s not quite accurate — his deal signed in 2021 was for $12 million. Cole’s extension announcement was initially reported by Fox Sports.
Cole’s elite ability as a field misser is on display here. For context, he averaged a phenomenal 50.8 yards per attempt last season, ranking second in the entire league. He finished with 27 punts inside the 20-yard line, showcasing his ability to pin opponents deep in their territory. His phenomenal performance in his first year back from his Achilles injury resulted in his first-team All-Pro nomination in 2023. This is the second time in his career he has earned this recognition.
Cole has ranked in the top five for yards per punt four years running, including third overall last season. This incredible accomplishment cements his place among the best players in his position, if not the best. During his career, he was chosen to the Pro Bowl on three occasions. The big accomplishment underscores the unique mark and importance he’s had to the Raiders.
Cole’s contract extension does highlight all of his phenomenal individual success. It further underscores an alarming pattern among Raiders players this offseason, as he’s one of the very select few to come away with a new contract. This extension locks in Cole to remain with the team through the next five seasons. He’s going to remain the Raiders’ most valuable non-QB asset for a long time!
As he embarks on this new chapter with a substantial contract, Cole’s contributions to the team are expected to remain pivotal. He carries a clear and consistent vision, an ambitious and diverse legislative agenda, and a big talent pool. He’s poised to remain one of NFL’s best punters.
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