Dustin Colquitt faces competition from Tyler Newsome for Chiefs
By Matt Conner
The Kansas City Chiefs have reportedly signed punter Tyler Newsome who becomes primary competition for Dustin Colquitt this offseason.
The Kansas City Chiefs have reportedly signed a new free agent at one of the most unexpected positions that could be announced: punter. Reports are saying the Chiefs have agreed to terms with 24-year-old punter Tyler Newsome on a deal that brings a second specialist on the roster to compete with incumbent Dustin Colquitt.
Colquitt is under contract through one more season for the Chiefs and comes with a salary cap hit in 2020 of $2.65 million.
Last season was the very first offseason in which the Chiefs carried any competition at punter since Colquitt’s rookie season back in 2005. Colquitt is the longest-tenured player on the team and has been a mainstay for the Chiefs special teams since he was drafted in the third round. Last season, however, impressive rookie Jack Fox was signed by the Chiefs and kept around through the preseason.
Colquitt ended up winning the competition last year and these days, Fox is hanging out on the Detroit Lions roster. Newsome is now apparently the newest competitor to challenge Colquitt, who is clearly the favorite but has now faced real competition for two offseasons in a row. Even if Colquitt wins, it feels as if the expiring contract and interest in bringing in competition is the writing on the wall that 2020 is likely the last year for Colquitt in K.C.
Newsome is a former punter for Notre Dame who earned a preseason tryout with the Los Angeles Chargers last year before losing out to Ty Long. Newsome averaged 44 yards/punt during his four-year career with the Fighting Irish.