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Bill Belichick admits that the Patriots’ punting has been ‘inconsistent’ this season

Patriots punter Jake Bailey hasn’t had the performance that many would’ve expected out of him entering the season.

After signing a four-year, $13.5 million contract extension that made him one of the NFL’s highest-paid punters in August, Bailey’s averaging 42.1 yards per punt. Not only is that the lowest of his four-year career it also ranks dead last among the 32 punters that qualify in that stat.

It’s an alarming drop-off for the 25-year-old who averaged 48.7 yards per punt in 2020, when he was named a first-team All-Pro.

Bailey’s last punt prior to the Patriots’ bye week was his worst yet.