Lions punter Jack Fox doesn’t kick often, but when he does, he’s one of the best to do it.
The Lions have punted just 45 times during the 2024 season, the fewest of any NFL team. But Fox averaged 46.2 net yards per punt, which set a new NFL record. The previous record of 46.0 yards was set by Johnny Hekker of the Rams in 2016.
Fox also led the NFL with an average of 51.0 gross yards per punt. But net yards better reflect a punter’s overall quality, because they reward punters with good hang time and directional punting that makes their punts harder to return.
Lions coach Dan Campbell’s strategy of rarely punting in positive territory also helped Fox: You can’t throw the ball 46 yards if your coach asks you to punt from inside the 45-yard line, something some coaches ask their punters to do. Once the Lions cross the 50-yard line, Campbell very rarely kicks.
Fox is far from the main reason for the Lions’ success this season, but any coach is happy to have a punter as good as Fox on his team. Even a coach who hates punts as much as Campbell does.
