The Washington Commanders have had 1 of the NFL’s elite punters in Tress Way for over a decade. At 36, Way is a 3-time Pro Bowler and NFL All-Pro who has seen his career extend way, way beyond anyone’s wildest expectations.
That’s why the Commanders need Way right, physically, by the regular season opener on September 13 against the Philadelphia Eagles. That might take a little more time this year.
“Commanders Pro Bowl P Tress Way will be sidelined to start training camp with a pectoral injury, per GM Adam Peters,” NFL Network’s Mike Garafolo wrote on his official X account on July 28. “Not expected to be a long-term absence.”
Way has been Washington’s punter since 2014 and is in his 13th season.
He’s playing on a 1-year, $3 million contract and has never missed a game due to injury — an incredible 196 consecutive regular-season games. Current head coach Dan Quinn is the 4th head coach Way has played for, following Jay Gruden, Bill Callahan, and Ron Rivera. He’s also played for 3 different mascots — the Washington Redskins, the infamous Washington Football Team era, and the Commanders.
From Undrafted Free Agent to Decade-Plus in NFL
Way, a Tulsa native, was an All-American at the University of Oklahoma before signing with the Chicago Bears as an undrafted free agent in 2013. He spent most of 2 seasons on the practice squad in Chicago before he caught on with the Commanders as their full-time punter in 2014, taking Robert Malone’s job and leading the NFL in punting (47.5 yards) in his 1st season.
Way earned NFL All-Pro honors for the 1st time in 2019. He also made the Pro Bowl, leading the NFL in punting again (49.6 yards). Way also registered the NFL’s longest punt at 79 yards.
He was a Pro Bowler again in 2022 and 2025 and holds every significant punting record in franchise history. His 46.9 yards per punt average is 13th in NFL career history.
Way will have approximately $28.3 million in career earnings following the 2026 season.
How Jayden Daniels Got Tress Way’s No. 5 Jersey
In one of the more unusual agreements in recent memory to get a teammate’s jersey number, 2024 No. 2 overall pick Jayden Daniels wanted to obtain the No. 5 jersey that Way had worn since 2014 when he joined the team.
According to ESPN’s Adam Schefter, the agreement involved the two players’ alma maters — Oklahoma for Way and LSU for Daniels.
“Commanders P Tress Way did not want a cash transaction from Jayden Daniels for the No. 5,” Schefter posted on X in May 2024. “Instead, as part of the exchange, when Way is done with his NFL career, Daniels plans to send Way and his family to an Oklahoma-LSU football game, presumably with good seats, per source.”
Way switched to his current No. 10 jersey starting in 2024.
History of Commanders Drafting Punters
In the last 40 years, the Commanders have drafted 4 punters, and none since Durant Brooks in the 6th round of the 2008 NFL draft.
Of those 4 punters — Brooks, Ed Bunn in the 3rd round in 1993, Chris Shale in the 10th round in 1991, and Wayne Ross in the 12th round in 198. Out of those 4, the Commanders squeezed out a total of 6 regular-season games, all from Brooks.
You have to go back to 1968 to find a punter drafted by the Commanders who had any sort of impact. They selected Richmond’s Mike Bragg in the 5th round of the 1968 draft, and he played 13 seasons through 1980, appearing in 188 career regular-season games.
Commanders Give Injury Update on $25 Million Special Teams Ace