Tress Way
Tress Way (born April 18, 1990) is an American football punter for the Washington Commanders of the National Football League (NFL).[1] Standing at 6 feet 1 inch (1.85 m) and weighing 220 pounds (100 kg), Way is a left-footed punter known for his consistency and directional kicking ability.[2] He played college football for the Oklahoma Sooners from 2009 to 2012, appearing in 53 games with 250 punts for 10,988 yards (44.0 average).[3] After going undrafted in the 2013 NFL Draft, Way signed with the Chicago Bears as an undrafted free agent but was waived during training camp.[4] He spent the 2013 and 2014 offseasons with the Bears before being waived coming out of the 2014 preseason and signing with the Washington Redskins in August 2014, where he won the starting punter role.[5] Since then, Way has spent his entire professional career with the franchise (renamed the Washington Football Team in 2020 and the Commanders in 2022), appearing in 179 regular-season games through the 2024 season and amassing 36,380 punting yards with a gross average of 46.9 yards per punt.[2] As of November 2025, he has appeared in 199 regular-season games with over 40,000 career punting yards. Way's notable achievements include two Pro Bowl selections as the NFC's punter in 2019 and 2022, during which he had 30 punts inside the 20-yard line in 2019.[6][7] He earned NFC Special Teams Player of the Month honors for October 2022 and has served as the team's special teams captain since 2015.[8] In March 2025, Way re-signed with the Commanders on a one-year contract, marking his 12th season with the organization.[9] Beyond punting, Way has contributed on fake punts, completing 3 of 3 passes for 61 yards through the 2024 postseason, with additional completions in 2025.[2]Early life and education
High school career
Tress Way was born on April 18, 1990, in Tulsa, Oklahoma, where he grew up with an early interest in sports, including playing youth soccer alongside his brother.[2][10] Way attended Union High School in Tulsa from 2004 to 2008, where he participated in football primarily as a punter and kicker.[11][12] In his senior year of 2007, Way handled punting duties with an average of 47.8 yards per punt and led the team in kicking, converting 14 field goals (including a long of 47 yards) and 42 extra points.[13][14] His consistent performance ranked him among the top kickers in Oklahoma, with first-place state honors in field goals made.[15] Way's high school achievements included selection to all-state teams by both The Oklahoman and Tulsa World, highlighting his potential as a specialist.[14] He graduated in 2008 and was recruited by the University of Oklahoma, committing to the Sooners as a punter.[14]College career
Way arrived at the University of Oklahoma in 2008 and redshirted his freshman season, preserving a year of eligibility while adjusting to college football.[16] During this time, he initially focused on kicking duties but transitioned to punting the following year, emerging as the Sooners' primary punter from 2009 to 2012. This shift allowed him to develop his left-footed punting technique, drawing on his high school experience as a multi-tool special teams player.[17] Over his four active seasons, Way handled punting responsibilities in 53 games, recording 250 punts for 10,988 yards with a 44.0-yard average. His yearly performance included a standout freshman campaign in 2009 with 61 punts averaging 45.7 yards, followed by 73 punts at 44.0 yards in 2010—leading the Big 12 in volume that year. In 2011, he averaged 42.0 yards on 63 punts, and as a senior in 2012, he posted a 44.2-yard average on 53 punts. Way's longest college punt reached 85 yards, one of the longest in Sooners history. Notable performances highlighted his consistency, such as in the 2011 Insight Bowl against Iowa State, where he averaged 50.0 yards on six punts, including a 67-yard effort that tied a bowl record and earned him recognition on the Big 12 All-Bowl team.[3][18][19] Academically, Way completed a bachelor's degree in interdisciplinary studies in December 2012, balancing rigorous coursework with his football commitments.[20] As he prepared for the professional level, Way participated in Oklahoma's pro day and a college senior combine in March 2013, showcasing his punting skills to NFL scouts as an undrafted free agent prospect. These efforts underscored his dedication to transitioning from collegiate special teams to the pros.[21]Professional career
Chicago Bears
Tress Way signed with the Chicago Bears as an undrafted free agent on April 28, 2013, shortly after the conclusion of the 2013 NFL Draft.[22] As a rookie, he competed for the punting position against incumbent Adam Podlesh during training camp and preseason, where he handled six punts for 229 yards, averaging 38.2 yards per attempt with a long of 51 yards.[23][24] Despite his efforts, Way did not secure a spot on the 53-man roster and was waived by the Bears on August 25, 2013, as part of the team's initial roster reductions.[25] Later that year, on December 31, 2013, the Bears signed him to a futures contract, providing another opportunity in the 2014 offseason.[26] Way returned for the 2014 training camp, once again vying for the punter role, but his performance drew criticism for inconsistency amid the intense competition.[27] The Bears released him on August 18, 2014, to make room for other roster additions. Throughout his time with Chicago, Way, a left-footed punter—a rarity in the NFL—faced challenges adapting to the league's faster pace and physical demands as an undrafted rookie, which limited his opportunities to showcase his college-honed skills from the University of Oklahoma.[23][28]Washington Commanders
Way was claimed off waivers by the Washington Redskins from the Chicago Bears on August 20, 2014, and immediately secured the role of the team's starting punter after the release of incumbent Blake Clingan.[29][5] In his rookie season, Way handled punting duties for all 16 games, establishing himself as a consistent presence on special teams. Following the 2014 campaign, he signed a reserve/future contract with the Redskins in January 2015, solidifying his position on the roster. Way's tenure with the franchise has been marked by several contract extensions that reflect his reliability. He agreed to a five-year extension in March 2016, followed by a four-year deal worth over $15 million in December 2019, and re-signed on a one-year contract in March 2025.[30][31][9] Throughout these years, Way adapted to the franchise's name changes, from the Redskins to the Washington Football Team in 2020 and then to the Commanders in 2022, while remaining a steady special teams contributor. Key moments in Way's career highlight his versatility and impact. In 2015, his debut full season as the primary punter, he averaged 46.1 yards per punt, helping to stabilize the unit.[2] The 2019 season stood out as a career high, with Way averaging 49.6 yards per punt—the longest in the NFL that year—including a franchise-record 79-yard boot against the Carolina Panthers on December 1.[2] During the 2020 postseason, Way contributed to the team's NFC East title and wild-card playoff run, punting effectively in their postseason appearance. In 2024, he relinquished his longtime jersey number 5 to rookie quarterback Jayden Daniels in May, switching to number 10 for the first time in over a decade.[32] Later that season, in the NFC Championship Game against the Philadelphia Eagles on January 26, 2025, Way executed a successful 23-yard fake punt pass to tight end Ben Sinnott, converting a critical fourth down and helping the Commanders regain possession.[33] Over his decade-plus with Washington, Way has evolved into a reliable special teams anchor, providing consistency through multiple coaching changes and franchise rebrandings while contributing to the team's competitive efforts.[34]Career statistics and records
Regular season statistics
Tress Way has established himself as a reliable punter in the NFL, with cumulative regular season statistics as of Week 10 of the 2025 season reflecting 189 games played, 809 punts for 37,989 yards, a gross average of 47.0 yards per punt, a net average of 42.2 yards, 313 punts inside the 20-yard line, three blocked punts, and a longest punt of 79 yards.[2] These figures underscore his consistency over more than a decade, particularly in directional punting that pins opponents deep in their territory.[2] The following table provides a yearly breakdown of Way's regular season punting statistics from 2014 through 2025 (noting that 2025 data is partial through Week 10), including games played, punts, gross average, net average, and longest punt.[2]| Year | Games | Punts | Gross Avg | Net Avg | Longest |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2014 | 16 | 77 | 47.5 | 40.0 | 77 |
| 2015 | 16 | 70 | 46.1 | 39.8 | 64 |
| 2016 | 16 | 49 | 45.1 | 38.9 | 61 |
| 2017 | 16 | 83 | 45.7 | 39.0 | 64 |
| 2018 | 16 | 79 | 45.3 | 41.5 | 63 |
| 2019 | 16 | 79 | 49.6 | 44.1 | 79 |
| 2020 | 16 | 73 | 48.0 | 44.3 | 65 |
| 2021 | 16 | 60 | 48.4 | 42.1 | 66 |
| 2022 | 17 | 83 | 46.8 | 43.0 | 68 |
| 2023 | 17 | 73 | 46.0 | 41.3 | 66 |
| 2024 | 17 | 50 | 46.9 | 43.1 | 74 |
| 2025 | 10 | 33 | 48.8 | 45.3 | 64 |
Postseason statistics
Tress Way has appeared in four NFL postseason games across three playoff runs with the Washington franchise, punting a total of 12 times for 565 yards, an average of 47.1 yards per punt, with five punts inside the 20-yard line and no blocks.[36] His postseason performance reflects the same consistency seen in his regular-season work, where he has maintained a career gross punting average above 46 yards. In the 2015 NFC Wild Card playoff game against the Green Bay Packers, Way handled all punting duties in Washington's 35-18 loss, recording five punts for 253 yards at a 50.6-yard average, including three inside the 20-yard line. This outing showcased his ability to deliver in an elimination scenario, with his longest punt traveling 60 yards and contributing to field position advantages early in the contest despite the outcome.[38] Way's 2020 postseason included two games for the Washington Football Team. In the NFC Wild Card victory over the Tampa Bay Buccaneers (31-23), he punted five times for 219 yards at a 43.8-yard average, pinning one inside the 20 and recording one touchback, with a long of 52 yards that helped limit return opportunities. The following week in the NFC Divisional round loss to the Los Angeles Rams (30-20), Washington did not punt at all, as the offense sustained drives without turning the ball over on fourth down or via three-and-out possessions.[36] During the 2024 NFC Championship game against the Philadelphia Eagles, a 38-31 loss, Way punted twice for 93 yards at a 46.5-yard average, landing one inside the 20-yard line in a high-stakes environment.[36] Notably, on a fourth-and-six from their own 31-yard line, Washington executed a successful fake punt, with Way completing a 23-yard pass to tight end Ben Sinnott, converting the first down and extending a drive in a critical moment.[39] Way's postseason punting average of 47.1 yards highlights his reliability under pressure, particularly in elimination games like the 2015 Wild Card (50.6 average) and the 2024 NFC Championship, where his efforts and the fake punt conversion aided field position battles despite the team's overall playoff results.[36]| Year | Game | Punts | Yards | Avg | Inside 20 | Long | Blocks |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2015 | NFC Wild Card vs. GB | 5 | 253 | 50.6 | 3 | 60 | 0 |
| 2020 | NFC Wild Card vs. TB | 5 | 219 | 43.8 | 1 | 52 | 0 |
| 2020 | NFC Divisional vs. LAR | 0 | 0 | - | 0 | - | 0 |
| 2024 | NFC Championship vs. PHI | 2 | 93 | 46.5 | 1 | 48 | 0 |
| Total | 4 games | 12 | 565 | 47.1 | 5 | 60 | 0 |