Commanders punter Tress Way said he plans to retire at the end of the season, barring an unexpected change of heart. "I am pretty sure this is going to be my last season," the 36-year-old Way said.
Way is the longest tenured Washington player, having been claimed by the franchise in 2014 after being cut for the second time by Chicago. He entered the NFL as an undrafted free agent in 2013, but Chicago waived him that summer and again a year later before Washington claimed him. Way has played for three different coaches in Washington and made the Pro Bowl after the 2019, '22 and '25 seasons.
Last year, Way ranked second in the NFL for punts inside the 20-yard line at 51.8% and tied for fifth for kicks inside the 10 at 19.6%. He also was sixth in net punting at 43.9 yards, the third highest of his career. The left-footed Way has averaged 46.9 yards per punt in his career.
Way was recently voted a captain for the season, along with his best friend on the team, safety Jeremy Reaves, a one-time Pro Bowl special teams player. Way served as the officiant at Reaves' wedding in March, and Reaves teared up when discussing Way's retirement news. "I always had in my mind we'd go out on our own terms together," Way said. "It's a gut punch."
Way said it has meant a lot to him that he's only punted for one team. "It has been so special for me playing here. When I got claimed on the waiver wire, I just felt wanted here. I felt wanted here my whole career. I didn't want to play anywhere else," he said.
