While his position might not carry the same spotlight as a quarterback or edge rusher, his new salary says plenty.
Raiders bank big on one of NFL’s most consistent weapons
You don’t usually see punters trending, but AJ Cole just changed that with a $15.8 million extension that makes him the highest-paid punter in the league.
The Las Vegas Raiders signed the three-time Pro Bowler to a new four-year deal, according to Fox Sports, that includes $11 million guaranteed.
Longest punt rewarded
That’s a serious investment for a position many fans overlook—unless, of course, the punter drops an 83-yard bomb like Cole did last season. That was the longest punt of 2023, and just the latest reminder of why Las Vegas values his leg so much.
The extension adds four years to Cole’s current contract, effectively locking him in through the 2029 season. Cole seemed pretty happy about it, tweeting simply: “raider nation for life !!!!!”
That enthusiasm makes sense. In six seasons with the franchise – spanning the Oakland and Vegas years – Cole has played in 100 games, averaged 48.6 yards per punt on 374 attempts, and kept touchbacks to a minimum (just 30 in total). He’s also hit the 50-yard average in three of the past four seasons, a level of consistency few punters can match.
The Raiders kick the 2025 season off against the Patriots on Sunday, September 7.
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