DeMeco Ryans and the Houston Texans hit the practice field for the first time in their rookie minicamp. Ryans was candid about the competition between former New Orleans Saints punter Kai Kroeger and undrafted free agent Jack Stonehouse.
Both players are new to the Texans this offseason.
The Texans have made different levels of investments into them, though, making Ryans’ remarks about the situation stand out even more than they would in a vacuum.
Jack Stonehouse, Kai Kroeger Get Clear Message From Texans’ DeMeco Ryans
GettyNew Houston Texans punter Jack Stonehouse is getting a head start on his position battle.
Kroeger is not attending the Texans’ rookie minicamp due to NFL rules prohibiting participation of players who were on NFL active rosters the season before. That gives Stonehouse the first shot at impressing Ryans and Texans special teams coordinator Frank Ross.
Ryans said in no uncertain terms that Kroeger will compete with Stonehouse for the Texans’ punting job this offseason.
“For Jack, man, we saw a guy who’s been very consistent. He has a very strong leg. Does a good job of moving the ball. Had a really good first day today,” Ryans told reporters on May 8, Day 1 of rookies being on the field in minicamp. “You can hear the ball coming off his foot, that’s the thing that stood out about today.
“Having that healthy competition is only going to make that position better when it comes to the punter position. We got Kai. Kai’s done it in the league. And now, adding Jack, it’s going to be a really healthy competition coming from training camp.”
Stonehouse’s alma mater, Syracuse, posted, “He’s different,” with bomb, boom, and ear emojis.
Kroeger was arguably the least productive punter in the NFL last season, which made the Texans’ decision to trade for him–sending a sixth-round pick to New Orleans–stand out.
The Texans also received a seventh-round selection in that deal, with both selections coming from their respective team’s 2028 pool. Still, the Texans appear to be taking a significant risk with an integral part of their team.
Kroeger’s short track record is unimpressive, while Stonehouse has no NFL track record at all.
That makes every boot on the field paramount as the two punters compete for one spot on the Texans’ 53-man roster.
Texans Parted Ways With All-Pro & Super Bowl Champion Punter
Christian Petersen/Getty ImagesFormer Houston Texans punter Tommy Townsend is decorated, but saw his production slip.
The Texans are turning to Kroeger and Stonehouse after leaning on Tommy Townsend, a former Pro Bowler, First Team All-Pro, and Super Bowl champion. Townsend saw his production dip from Year 1 to Year 2 with the Texans.
However, the reactions to Kroeger’s addition were telling.
“I’m not surprised to see the Texans get a new punter with Tommy Townsend leaving who I didn’t think was very good here,” Sleeper Sports affiliate Jacob said in a post on X in March.
“Kroeger wasn’t great in New Orleans last year (28th in Punt Net. Avg & 29th at pinning inside the 20) but HOU and Frank Ross probably think they can help him out and get to the college level.”
Those coming from New Orleans were also quite telling.
“Saints finally stop going the rookie punter route,” Audacy Sports’ Jeff Nowak posted at the time, noting Kroeger was the third in the line.
The Saints signed Ryan Wright away from the Minnesota Vikings in free agency this offseason, one day after dealing Kroeger to the Texans. Ryans and the Texans rightfully appear willing to count the trade for Kroeger as a sunk cost if Stonehouse can prove himself.
Texans Offseason Trade Pickup Already on Clear Notice Over Job