Dustin

Colquitt

He’ll replace Jordan Berry, who was the Steelers’ starter at that position for the last four seasons. Colquitt finished his tenure in Kansas City with 238 regular season games under his belt, ranking first in franchise history with 1,124 career punts, 50,393 punting yards and a 44.8 yard per punt average. He’ll add another layer to Pittsburgh’s special teams and star-studded defensive unit.

The move saves the team $2 million in cap space. Colquitt initially joined the Chiefs as a third-round pick in 2005, finishing his tenure there with 238 regular season games under his belt. He was the last player on the roster that was drafted before the Andy Reid era. He currently ranks first in franchise history with 1,124 career punts, 50,393 punting yards and a 44.8 yard per punt average. Tyler Newsome and Tommy Townsend will compete to fill Colquitt’s shoes in 2020.

''I figured out what it does,’' Hall said. ''It starts left, goes right, comes back left, hangs and does some other freaky stuff. I haven’t had a guy give me that much trouble at any level - college, high school, the pros. He’s well worth the third-round pick.’'

“I’d like to finish things up with the Chiefs if that’s at all possible,” said Colquitt. “I’ve had a chance to talk with Andy (Reid) and John (Dorsey). I really like their direction and how they operate and the people they are.” Colquitt earned a Pro Bowl trip for his 2012 performance. He turns 31 in May.

Colquitt earned the first Pro Bowl berth of his eight-year career in 2012 by leading the league with 20 punts inside the 10-yard line. “I like the punter,” Toub said. “I like him a lot. I never really had a punter than bombed the ball like this.”

The deal makes Colquitt the NFL’s highest paid punter. $8.9 million guaranteed is unheard of for a specialist. Going on 31, Colquitt was recently deemed a “bomber” by new Chiefs special teams coordinator Dave Toub, who is among the most well respected assistants in football. Colquitt earned his first Pro Bowl trip in 2012. He’s also consistently been among the most dangerous directional punters in the game with egg-beater punts that are difficult to catch.

Colquitt went down when the Giants came with heavy pressure on a punt and just missed a block. After getting taped up, he came back in to handle punting duties. Punters can be tough guys, too.

A shocking first-day choice by the Chiefs, Colquitt has wowed Chiefs camp with the unique spin he puts on the ball. He’ll start.

Colquitt doesn’t have a monster leg, but puts a nasty spin on the ball and returners rarely gain yards against him. He would’ve been a restricted FA.

Colquitt is one Kansas City’s best players, which says a lot. He didn’t make the trip to New York. Weatherford was with New Orleans the last few years.