Some people didn’t believe that the Colts were serious about having a punting competition. They ought to be believed now. The team announced on Monday morning that punter Jeff Locke has been released.
The 27-year-old Locke (28 in September) signed with the Colts as a free agent in March after spending the first four seasons of his career with the Vikings. He was given a two-year, $3.45MM deal to take over the for the retired Pat McAfee, but it will instead be undrafted rookie Rigoberto Sanchez handling that responsibility for Indianapolis.
McAfee was among the NFL’s top punters last year while Locke finished toward the bottom of the league in yards per punt and net average. Sanchez, meanwhile, averaged 44.8 yards per punt during his collegiate career at Hawaii.
To his credit, Locke ranked No. 5 in the league last year when it came to pinning opposing teams inside their 20-yard line.
Locke’s deal included $1.25MM in guaranteed cash, so he’ll have a nice chunk of change to hold him over until he finds his next gig.
First the Pirates.. then the Marlins.. now the Colts? Tough luck for Jeff Locke
Aw man, you beat me to it!
Wouldn’t it go Pirates, Vikings, Marlins and now Colts?
I can’t help but root for a guy whose name is Rigoberto Sanchez. And being a Pirates fan, I shed no tears for anyone named Jeff Locke.
I’m a Pirates and Vikings fan (I know very strange) and trust me I was overjoyed when Jeff Locke was no longer stinking up my teams.