New Orleans Saints Move On from Hayball in Pursuit of Reliable Punter

The New Orleans Saints waived 2024 starting punter Matthew Hayball on Wednesday, just before the team left for California to begin the next phase of training camp. Hayball, a ProKick Australia product, had won the job last year over Lou Hedley, but couldn’t hold off the latest competition from rookies James Burnip and Kai Kroeger heading into the 2025 preseason.

The cut was described as “surprising”, but it’s clear the Saints are once again chasing something more at the position: distance, consistency, or maybe just upside. Whatever it is, they haven’t found it in quite some time.

Morstead’s Absence Still Felt

The Saints have struggled to find punting stability since releasing franchise icon Thomas Morstead after the 2020 season. Since then, they’ve rolled through Blake Gillikin, Daniel Whelan, Lou Hedley, Hayball, and now a new competition between Burnip and Kroeger. According to Who Dat Dish, “Morstead has done two things the Saints haven’t been able to get from their punters in the last four years. He has been a Pro Bowl alternative and stayed with one team in back-to-back seasons.”

That consistency has been sorely missed. Morstead, now with the San Francisco 49ers, has continued to punt at a high level, while the Saints keep holding auditions.

Hayball Performed Well, But Not Well Enough

Hayball started all 17 games last season and posted a respectable 44.0-yard average with 41 punts downed inside the 20. Statistically, he didn’t hurt the team, but it’s possible he didn’t help enough. As Adam Holt noted, “The Saints are clearly looking for something different,” with the release coming “out of nowhere just days before the first preseason game.”

That something might be Burnip, who averaged over 47 yards per punt at Alabama, or Kroeger, known for hang time and directional punting at South Carolina.

Roster Ripple Effects

To fill Hayball’s roster spot, the Saints re-signed quarterback Hunter Dekkers, who had previously been cut when Kroeger was brought in. Dekkers joins a crowded quarterback room behind Spencer Rattler, Jake Haener, and rookie second-round pick Tyler Shough. He won’t have a chance to be the starter, but the Saints are interested in him as a developmental project.

Dekkers originally signed with New Orleans earlier this offseason following an impressive tryout at rookie minicamp. He began his career at Iowa State before finishing at Iowa Western Community College. In 13 games with the Reivers, he threw for 3,806 yards with 32 touchdown passes and 10 interceptions.

Big Picture: A Lingering Issue

Special teams has quietly become a point of instability for the Saints in recent years. What used to be a strength, anchored by Morstead and kicker Wil Lutz, has become another annual question mark. For a team still trying to find its identity under new head coach Kellen Moore, cleaning up details like punting could be the difference between a playoff push and another mediocre finish.

Until they get it right, the ghost of Morstead will continue to haunt the Saints’ special teams decisions.

The Saints will open the preseason this Sunday on the road against the Los Angeles Chargers. Kickoff is set for 3:05 p.m. CT.