The San Francisco 49ers had OTAs kick off on Tuesday, and they will have a flurry of practices take place until June 5. This gives both players and coaches the chance to see who is ready to step up.
While these practices and meetings are slated to go on, the 49ers made a surprising signing on Wednesday. Punter Thomas Morstead announced on his X account that he signed with the 49ers.
His caption said, "Grateful is an understatement! #49ers"
Thomas Morstead Signs With the 49ers
This move is a bit surprising, considering Mitch Wishnowsky is still on the roster and is signed through 2027. He has been on the 49ers since 2019, where he was a fourth-round pick by SF.
Last season, he was limited to just nine games in 2024 due to a back injury. He ended up missing eight games, but his numbers aren't good to the eye. He was ranked 32nd in punt average (45.2) and 31st with 11 punts pinned inside the 20-yard line.
Even during the 2023 season, Wishnowsky was 14th in punting average (47.7) while being tied for 16th with 26 punts pinned inside the 20-yard line.
It looks like the 49ers felt like they could get more from the punter, and they decided to bring in Morstead. Even though he's 39 years old, he still has juice in his leg. Last season with the New York Jets, he was 17th in punting average (47.2) while being tied for 3rd with the longest punt (75).
Meanwhile, during the 2023 season, Morstead was second in the NFL in punts inside the 20 (36) and 11th in punting average (48.8).
He also has a Pro Bowl and All-Pro nod under his belt. It shouldn't go under the radar that Morstead and Robert Saleh were together in New York for two seasons.
The punter battle between Morstead and Wishnowsky will be an interesting one to watch this summer.