The Philadelphia Eagles have announced the re-signing of punter Braden Mann and the restructuring of kicker Jake Elliott”s contract, indicating a strong commitment to their special teams unit for the upcoming season in 2026.
Mann, who is coming off a career year, expressed his satisfaction with the long-term commitment from the team. His new contract marks a significant milestone as this is the first time the Eagles have signed a punter to a deal longer than three years. Mann stated, “In a world of headlines and how much people can get, everybody gets caught up in all the numbers. But just the commitment that you can get from a team or a general manager saying that we want you here for another four years, it really does feel nice.”
During the 2025 season, Mann averaged an impressive 49.9 yards per punt, setting a franchise record and boosting his career average with the Eagles to 49.5 yards, which is also the best in the team”s history. Additionally, his net average of 43.1 yards per punt placed him among the top ten punters in the NFL.
Mann acknowledged that he has improved significantly since joining the Eagles in 2023, attributing much of his development to the coaching staff. He remarked, “I definitely think I”ve gotten better throughout my time here, and that”s a huge credit to the coaching staff here and their development.”
In preparation for the unpredictable weather conditions in the Northeast, Mann trains in Dallas during the offseason, where he practices punting in windy conditions. He believes that refining his ability to handle such challenges will give him an advantage, particularly in home games.
Alongside Mann”s re-signing, Jake Elliott”s contract has been restructured, reportedly reducing his base salary by $1 million while securing a $5 million guarantee. This adjustment lowers his salary cap figure by $240,000 for 2026. The Eagles” general manager, Howie Roseman, recently expressed confidence in Elliott, stating, “Jake has been a tremendous kicker for us since we got him off the practice squad in Cincinnati in 2017. Tremendously clutch. I have a lot of confidence in him as a player, as a kicker, as a person, a captain on our team.”
Despite a challenging season in which Elliott missed seven field goals, finishing with a field goal rate of 74.1%, the Eagles are relying on his proven track record during his tenure with the team. As Elliott enters his tenth season, he will have the opportunity to bounce back with Mann serving as his holder.
Mann emphasized the importance of continuity in their partnership, noting that familiarity can enhance their performance. He said, “It”s good to have continuity, just from also the little things aside from the actual hold and kick. It”s like the rhythm you get into in a game or practice or in camp, and just you speak kind of the same language.”
Overall, the Eagles are optimistic about their specialists returning intact, aiming for a successful 2026 season.
