Sports
Rams release punter Johnny Hekker after memorable decade
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The Los Angeles Rams have launched punter Johnny Hekker after 10 seasons.
The Tremendous Bowl champion Rams dropped their longest-tenured participant Wednesday night time in a transfer that creates simply over $2 million in wage cap room.
Hekker has spent his complete profession with the Rams since signing in St. Louis as an undrafted free agent out of Oregon State in 2012. He turned a four-time All-Professional choice and arguably the NFL’s prime punter throughout the 2010s, however his common declined to a career-low 44.2 yards per punt final season.
Alongside together with his punting prowess and his regular palms because the Rams’ holder for placekicks, Hekker was a group chief, a preferred determine amongst followers, and even a severe menace to throw the ball on trick performs. The previous highschool quarterback is 14 of 23 for 186 yards and a landing as a passer in his profession, though he threw only one cross prior to now two seasons.
Los Angeles Rams’ Johnny Hekker punts throughout the first half of the group’s NFL soccer sport in opposition to the New York Jets on Dec. 20, 2020, in Inglewood, Calif.
(AP Picture/Ashley Landis, File)
Hekker is amongst a number of vital personnel losses this week for the champs, who’re squeezed in opposition to the cap as common.
Together with left deal with Andrew Whitworth’s retirement, Los Angeles misplaced edge rusher Von Miller to Buffalo, defensive deal with Sebastian Joseph-Day to the Chargers, and beginning cornerback Darious Williams to Jacksonville this week. Beginning proper guard Austin Corbett is predicted to signal with Carolina quickly, whereas backup linebacker Ogbo Okoronkwo joined Houston and backup tight finish Johnny Mundt headed to Minnesota.
The Rams managed to retain offensive linemen Joseph Noteboom and Brian Allen, two possible starters subsequent season. Los Angeles has but to signal an out of doors free agent or re-sign receiver Odell Beckham Jr.
Hekker was certainly one of three former St. Louis Rams left on Los Angeles’ roster for its Tremendous Bowl victory final month. Solely famous person DT Aaron Donald and proper deal with Rob Havenstein now stay.
Hekker acknowledged he suspected he could be minimize throughout coaching camp final summer season, however he beat out Corey Bojorquez for the job. Bojorquez signed with the Packers and had a robust season, whereas the Rams should discover one other punter this summer season.
Whereas Hekker is leaving, the Rams are more likely to preserve kicker Matt Homosexual as a restricted free agent with an original-round tender. Homosexual was a Professional Bowl choice final season after becoming a member of Los Angeles in 2020.