Jacksonville Jaguars have released punter Brad Nortman
By Billy Long
The selection of Logan Cooke in the seventh round for the Jacksonville Jaguars had instant repercussions.
In the seventh round of the 2018 NFL draft, with pick number 247 overall, the Jacksonville Jaguars decided to snag up a punter, Logan Cooke from Mississippi State. The analysis by many and most for the selection centered around the same theme, Cooke will be another leg in camp that can push Brad Nortman for the starting role by season’s beginning.
Well that open competition has ended before if even got started.
Just two days after the pick, the Jaguars have released Nortman, after two season in Jacksonville:
Per league source, @Jaguars have cut Punter Brad Nortman. The move comes two days after drafting Logan Cooke in the 7th round. #Jaguars. @ActionNewsJax @ActionSportsJax #ASJax.
— Brent Martineau (@BrentASJax) April 30, 2018
Nortman spent his first four seasons with the Carolina Panthers, before being signed in free agency by the Jaguars in the 2016 offseason. In what has become his final season in Jacksonville in 2017, Nortman had a net average of 38.9 yards on punts, and tied the league high in touchbacks with nine.
With using a draft pick on a punter, it was no secret that the front office was not thrilled about Nortman’s production. But with the immediate release of Nortman, it has become clear the team was waiting for their opportunity to move on from the six-year pro.
On the opposite end of the spectrum, what a couple days for Logan Cooke. After hearing his name called in the NFL draft, the player in line to compete against Cooke for the starting job has been cut, and it appears that Cooke has already ascended into the top spot before even hitting the practice fields.