The news did not necessarily come as a surprise given how his 2022 season ended, but it was still a big move for the New England Patriots: they released former All-Pro punter Jake Bailey just seven months after signing him to a contract extension.
Bailey had never been able to return to the form he showed in 2020, with his final season a massive disappointment. Not only did he struggle when on the field, he also was sidelined due to a back injury and eventually suspended by the team to close out the season; he subsequently filed a grievance against the decision, all but ending his Patriots career in the process.