Saints Sign Veteran Punter Ryan Wright to Bolster Special Teams

The former Tulane standout looks to stabilize a revolving door at punter for New Orleans.

Mar. 13, 2026 at 9:55am

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The New Orleans Saints have signed veteran punter Ryan Wright in free agency to address a glaring need at the position. Wright, a former standout at Tulane University, spent the last four seasons with the Minnesota Vikings and brings a track record of consistent production and accuracy. The Saints have cycled through multiple rookie punters since the departure of longtime punter Thomas Morstead, and Wright's addition is expected to provide a significant boost to the team's special teams unit.

Why it matters

The Saints' punting game has been a weakness in recent seasons, with the team struggling to find a reliable replacement for Morstead. Wright's signing is a clear effort by the organization to shore up this critical aspect of the game and provide better field position for the defense. As the Saints look to build on an improved offense, strengthening the special teams could be a key factor in the team's success.

The details

Wright, 25, was an undrafted free agent signing by the Vikings in 2022 after a standout college career at Tulane. He beat out the incumbent punter in Minnesota and held the job for four seasons, showcasing a strong leg and impressive accuracy. In 2025, Wright had a career-best gross average of 49 yards per punt and downed 38.5% of his kicks inside the opposing 20-yard line. The Saints are hoping he can bring that level of production to New Orleans and help flip the field position battle in their favor.

  • Ryan Wright signed with the Saints in free agency in March 2026.

The players

Ryan Wright

A 25-year-old punter who spent the last four seasons with the Minnesota Vikings after going undrafted out of Tulane University, where he was a four-year starter and earned first-team All-AAC honors as a senior.

Thomas Morstead

The Saints' longtime punter who departed the team as a free agent after the 2020 season, leaving a void that the team has struggled to fill in the years since.

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What they’re saying

“We must shore up our special teams if we want to take the next step as a team. Ryan Wright has proven he can be a difference-maker in the field position battle, and we're excited to add that stability to our roster.”

— Mickey Loomis, Saints General Manager (Saints Press Release)

What’s next

The Saints will look to Wright to immediately stabilize the punting position and provide a boost to their special teams unit as the team prepares for the 2026 season.

The takeaway

The Saints' signing of veteran punter Ryan Wright represents a proactive effort to address a glaring weakness that has plagued the team in recent seasons. With Wright's track record of consistency and accuracy, New Orleans is hoping to regain an edge in the field position battle and provide better support for their defense.