Getty Former New York Jets punter Braden Mann celebrating after a play in an NFL game.
Well, that didn’t take long.
The New York Jets officially announced the release of punter Braden Mann at 4:15 pm ET on Thursday, April 14.
Adam Schefter of ESPN was even earlier on the news reporting the move at 2:54 pm ET on April 14.
About 24 hours later Field Yates of ESPN shared on Twitter that the Pittsburgh Steelers had claimed Mann “off of waivers” from Gang Green.
Mann entered the NFL as the No. 191 overall pick in the sixth round of the 2020 NFL draft. During his time at Texas A&M, he won the Ray Guy Award which is doled out annually to the best punter in all of college football.
Wild Jets Trade Rumors Earn Credence After Waiver Claim
A lot of people laughed on social media when Schefter tweeted that the Jets have “had trade discussions with other teams regarding their punter Braden Mann.”
More punter news: the NY Jets have had trade discussions with other teams regarding their punter Braden Mann, per source.
However, Mann getting claimed 24 hours after he was cut sure seems to indicate teams were interested in his services.
Although sometimes trade discussions and a national reporter sharing them can work against you. If a team takes a call regarding a player being traded the other team could get a sense that you plan on moving on from said player.
So in theory they can wait you out and eventually acquire the player without having to give up any draft compensation.
The Jets might have revealed their cards and true intentions when they added veteran punter Thomas Morstead.
On March 17 Morstead teased that he was returning to the green and white.
Got my green on.
Kiss me, I’m a Jet!
#HappyStPatricksDay
#AllGasNoBrakes
#Jets #PinchMe
#NeedANewNumber
However, the news didn’t become official until April 7 when the Jets announced the move.
Most teams only keep one punter on the roster and the initial signing seemed to spell the end for Mann in New York.
Social Media Reacts to Steelers Nabbing Ex-Jets Punter Braden Mann
Social media was not kind to Mann or the Steelers for acquiring him.
@FieldYates @AdamSchefter Guy is great if you want him to do onside kicks or shank a punt in a critical situation
One Jets fan said Mann is great if you want him to perform “onside kicks or shank a punt in a critical situation.”
@FieldYates They could have found a better punter with open tryouts
Another social media user bluntly said, “they could have found a better punter with open tryouts.”
@FieldYates @AdamSchefter pray for their special teams😭
“Pray for their special teams” was the response of a Twitter user.
@FieldYates @AdamSchefter He cost the Jets Trevor Lawrence
Some Jets fans are still salty that Mann may have cost the team a shot at picking No. 1 and the prize that came with it (Trevor Lawrence).
@FieldYates Go kill it @MannBraden #ForTheBrand
Not everyone killed Mann though one fan told the former Jets punter to “go kill it” and used the popular hashtag #ForTheBrand.
@FieldYates @AdamSchefter Super Bowl winning acquisition
Another fan tweeted “Super Bowl-winning acquisition” and it’s important to note that punters are people too. There might have been a bit of sarcasm here.
A Jets fan simply said “them boys starvin” in response to the Steelers stooping to this level at the punter position.
Another Jets fan used a popular Game of Thrones GIF to wish the Steelers “good luck” with that addition.
The Jet Press claimed that this is a “legitimate opportunity” for Mann to stick with Pittsburgh. They also said plainly that Mann can “win that punter job.”