Sam

Koch

In addition, he will be joining the Ravens’ staff as a “special teams consultant.” The No. 203 overall pick of the 2006 draft, Koch was a steady kicking presence for the better part of two decades, earning 2015 Pro Bowl honors. He also long served as K Justin Tucker’s holder. Koch remained effective at age 39 in 2021, checking in 17th in net-punting average at 40.0. It was simply time for the specialist to move on.

Johnny Townsend is expected to punt for Baltimore in their must-win season finale. Koch was seventh among punters in net average this season. Townsend will be the first punter besides Koch to punt for the Ravens since 2006.

Koch entered the league as a 24-year-old back in 2006 and has never left Baltimore. He’s been as reliable as they come and will now punt for the Ravens through his age-39 season. Koch has averaged at least 44.8 yards per punt for nine-straight seasons.

Koch receives a 110 percent increase on his 2009 salary after being tendered at the second-round level for the second straight year. Koch averaged 43.0 yards per punt with a 37.6 net average last season.

Once considered among the best young punters in football, Koch took a big step back in 2013, finishing 22nd in net yardage (38.9 yards) and 13th in punts inside the 20-yard line (27). Koch signed a five-year, $12.5 million deal in February of 2011. The Ravens would save $1.6 million in cap room by cutting him.

As Koch was under contract for $2.5 million in 2015, the deal is really for six years and $18.75 million. He got a $4 million signing bonus. Koch had a slightly disappointing 2013, but rebounded last year to average 47.4 yards per punt with a league-best 43.3-yard net. Koch has averaged 47.4, 46.0, 47.1 and 46.5 yards per punt the past four seasons. He turns 33 next month.

Coming off a disappointing season that saw him rank 22nd in net yardage (38.9 yards), Koch was fully expected to be released. He’s owed $2.2 million in base salary and will count $2.8 million against the cap. Perhaps a renegotiation is in the works as Koch enters the fourth year of a five-year deal he signed in 2011.

Koch was lightly regarded entering the 2006 draft, but he’s proven a sixth round steal. Oft-used because Baltimore’s offense lacks explosiveness, Koch finished last year fifth in the NFL in net average and second in punts downed inside an opponents’ 20. Koch should be getting an extension soon.

This is the second straight year Koch got the round-two tender, so he’ll get a 110% increase in pay from his 2009 salary (it was $1.545 million). Koch was a sixth-round pick in 2006. He’s clearly the team’s punter of the future.

Koch wasn’t as highly rated as other punters that weren’t drafted but Baltimore made him the first player taken at the position. He’ll battle Leo Araguz for starting duties in camp.