{"id":42236,"date":"2022-08-01T20:41:07","date_gmt":"2022-08-02T00:41:07","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.patsfans.com\/patriots\/blog\/?p=42236"},"modified":"2022-08-01T22:02:56","modified_gmt":"2022-08-02T02:02:56","slug":"jake-bailey-reacts-to-his-four-year-contract-extension","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.patsfans.com\/patriots\/blog\/2022\/08\/01\/jake-bailey-reacts-to-his-four-year-contract-extension\/","title":{"rendered":"Jake Bailey Reacts To His Four Year Contract Extension"},"content":{"rendered":"

Before the second week of Patriots training camp commenced Monday morning, ESPN’s Adam Schefter<\/span>\u00a0reported<\/span><\/a> punter Jake Bailey agreed to a four-year, $13.5 million ($6.5 guaranteed) contract extension through 2025.\u00a0 <\/span>The deal makes Bailey one of the NFL’s three highest-paid punters.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Following Monday’s practice, Bailey shared his reaction during a media availability session.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

“I’m just so happy and blessed I get a few more years here,” Bailey\u00a0<\/span>said<\/span><\/a>. “I was just kind of on the phone with my agent and I was like, ‘Alright, that’s it. We’re good with that,’ and it wasn’t like a crazy big moment. But it was fine and a huge milestone in my life and just thankful God put me in this position.”<\/span><\/p>\n

Bailey then credited his teammates for helping him reach success over his first four NFL seasons.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

“[Nick]’s up there with every single guy on special teams that I rely on, him and Joe [Cardona] I probably rely on the most, you know, they’re my guys each and every play,” said Bailey. “Slater too and Justin Bethel, you know without those guys, I don’t know if I’d be in the position I’m in today and I’m just so thankful to them that they’ve worked hard and put me in this position.<\/span><\/p>\n

“Nick’s just a savvy, wise old guy. You know, anytime I have a question, I’ll bounce it off for him. The pre-shot, it’s like having a caddy back there, the pre-shot little three things he says to me and it always keeps me in a good mental space and what he brings to my game is invaluable. I’m a way better punter, kickoff guy, holder with him in my corner.”<\/span><\/p>\n

Bailey punted 49 times last season and posted a 47.3-yard average (eighth in the NFL) and 39.6 net (21st in the NFL).\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

During the 2020 season, Bailey earned his first Pro Bowl invitation and a spot on the All-Pro team after leading the league with a 48.7 punt average.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

“My teammates, coaches, I love playing for Coach Belichick and then just the community too,” Bailey continued. “I love being a part of Boston, just being up in this town is awesome.”<\/span><\/p>\n

ESPN Boston’s Mike Reiss broke down the salary cap implications of Bailey’s extension.<\/p>\n

\n

The contract extension for Jake Bailey is significant from a salary-cap standpoint. While specifics are still to be learned, Bailey\u2019s 2022 cap charge is expected to be reduced around $1.85 million. <\/p>\n

This would give the Patriots about $4.75 to 5 million in overall space.<\/p>\n

— Mike Reiss (@MikeReiss) August 1, 2022<\/a><\/p><\/blockquote>\n