New England Patriots cut punter who disagreed with team’s recovery timetable

The New England Patriots have no time to mend fences.

The NFL transaction wire revealed on Friday that the Patriots have cut punter Jake Bailey, ending his tenure in New England after four seasons.

Bailey, 25, became the team’s first-choice punter shortly after being drafted in 2019 and was subsequently named a First Team All-Pro as well as a Pro Bowler for his work during the 2020 NFL campaign.

Matters soured between Bailey and the Patriots after the former was placed on injured reserve in Week 9 due to a back injury. The two sides disagreed on Bailey’s timeline for a return to game action

In the midst of all of this, New England suspended Bailey (along with one other player) ahead of their Week 18 game against the Buffalo Bills. Bailey then proceeded to file a grievance against the Patriots over the suspension.

Ben Volin of the Boston Globe notes that Bailey was supposed to have a fully guaranteed $2.1 million salary for the 2023 season before the late suspension allowed the Patriots to void it. Bailey’s grievance against the team has yet to be resolved.

For the Patriots, at least, on to the next one, as always.