Coach Todd Bowles addressed the media on Monday, highlighting the need for the Tampa Bay Buccaneers to reassess their punter situation following Trenton Gill’s poor performance on Sunday. The team swiftly acted on this necessity by waiving Gill, who had been responsible for punting and kickoff duties in the majority of the season’s games thus far.
Earlier in the season, the Bucs decided to move on from punter Jake Camarda, handing the job to Gill. However, with Gill’s recent struggles, the team is now considering a third punter option, potentially rookie Jack Browning, who is currently on the practice squad.
Browning, a product of San Diego State and an undrafted free agent initially signed by the Buffalo Bills, joined Tampa Bay’s practice squad in late October. This could be an opportunity for him to showcase his skills at a critical juncture in the season.
Gill’s recent performance included a disappointing 22-yard punt and a kickoff that failed to reach the Panthers’ 20-yard line. Overall, he recorded a 45.3-yard gross average and a 38.9-yard net average, with one touchback and nine punts within the 20-yard line during his time with the Buccaneers. His kickoff performance showed a bit more promise, with 27 of his 32 kickoffs reaching the end zone, resulting in 25 touchbacks.
In comparison, former punter Jake Camarda had a solid performance earlier in the season with a gross average of 45.3 yards and a net average of 36.5.
Gill, who previously played for the Chicago Bears in the 2022 and 2023 seasons, has a career total of 160 punts, achieving a gross average of 45.6 yards and a net average of 38.6 yards.
This move shows the Buccaneers’ commitment to improving their special teams as they push for success in the remainder of the season. The potential addition of Browning could inject fresh energy into the punting game and might result in a more effective performance overall.
This transitional period can be a great opportunity for Browning to establish himself as a valuable asset on the team, and fans will be watching closely to see how the changes unfold.