Veteran NFL Punter Thomas Morstead to Join San Francisco 49ers
Longtime NFL punter Thomas Morstead, widely admired for his contributions to the New Orleans Saints, is set to join the San Francisco 49ers. The announcement came directly from Morstead himself via a post on his X (formerly Twitter) account on Wednesday morning.
At 39 years old, Morstead brings a wealth of experience to San Francisco. He has spent the past two seasons with the New York Jets but is best known for the 12 seasons he spent with the Saints, who drafted him in the fifth round of the 2009 NFL Draft from Southern Methodist University (SMU).
After his time in New Orleans concluded following the 2020 season, Morstead briefly joined the Jets, though he ended the 2021 season with the Atlanta Falcons. In 2022, he suited up for the Miami Dolphins before returning to New York for a second stint with the Jets.
While Morstead’s résumé includes stints with several teams, he is most famously remembered for his role in one of the most iconic moments in Saints history: executing the surprise onside kick known as “Ambush” in Super Bowl XLIV. That pivotal play to open the second half helped the Saints clinch their victory over the Indianapolis Colts and secure their first-ever Super Bowl title.
Beyond that signature moment, Morstead built a case as the most accomplished punter in New Orleans Saints history — and arguably one of the most reliable in NFL history. Across his 16-year career, he has maintained an impressive gross punting average of 46.8 yards, with a net average of 41.6 yards. He consistently pinned opponents deep, averaging 23 punts per season inside the opposing team’s 20-yard line. Nearly 37% of his total punts landed within that crucial territory.
His sustained excellence places him among the league’s best statistically. Morstead ranks 10th in NFL history in punting average and sits second among active players in total punting yardage. Overall, he is currently 22nd in all-time punting yardage in league history.
Morstead is not the first high-profile Saint to wind up with the 49ers toward the end of his career. Several other former Saints, such as tight end Irv Smith and safety Toi Cook, also spent time in San Francisco. Most notably, Hall of Fame linebacker Rickey Jackson capped off his illustrious career with the 49ers, even earning another Super Bowl ring in the process, as part of the squad that won Super Bowl XXIX.
Now, Morstead will once again return to the Caesars Superdome — the site of many of his career highlights — this time as a visitor in Week 2 of the 2025 NFL season. The San Francisco 49ers will travel to New Orleans for a matchup on Sunday, September 14, which will mark Morstead’s second appearance in the Dome since leaving the Saints.
With a combination of longevity, skill, and professionalism, Morstead’s transition to San Francisco provides the 49ers with both stability and championship experience in a crucial special teams role. As he nears the twilight of his career, Morstead remains a symbol of reliability and excellence in the NFL’s specialist ranks.
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