Tress Way agrees to multi-year extension with Washington Redskins

ASHBURN, Va. — The Washington Redskins agreed to a four-year, $15 million extension with punter Tress Way, making the Pro Bowler one of the highest-paid players at his position in the league.

Last week, Way was named to the Pro Bowl for the first time. The 29-year-old, who joined the Redskins in 2014, has had a career season, ranking first in yards per punt and leads the league with the longest punt (79 yards).

Now, this deal locks Way up for the foreseeable future.

“As a player, whenever something like this, a contract happens, that is the franchise saying, ’Hey, you’re what we want,’” Way said Friday. “That is — I can’t put that into words.”

Way, however, won’t become the highest-paid punter in the league. That title belongs to New Orleans’ Thomas Morstead, who signed a four-year, $15.6 million extension in 2018, giving him a $3.9 million per year average.

Way said he “didn’t really care” about becoming the league’s highest-paid punter.

“I don’t want this burden in terms of the salary cap,” Way said. “I want to help the team and if they want me around, then I’d love to be around. [The deal] was awesome.”

Way’s contract is expected to be finalized in the coming days.

The NFL Network was the first to report the news. 

“Gosh, he’s one of the best punters in the National Football League,” Redskins interim coach Bill Callahan said of Way. “To have that dynamic to shift and tilt the field and create field position for your team, it’s unquestioned what he’s done and what he’s accomplished. He’s done tremendous things for our team this year.”

Note: The Redskins placed safety Montae Nicholson and cornerback Fabian Moreau on injured reserve Friday, bringing their total to 23 players on the list. They had 26 players on IR last year. In corresponding moves, the Redskins signed safety Kenny Ladler and promoted wideout Jester Weah from the practice squad. Callahan also announced safety Landon Collins (shoulder) and Terry McLaurin (concussion) will miss Sunday’s season finale against the Dallas Cowboys.