In American football, a punt is a kick that is performed after a player (most often a punter) drops the ball from their hands and kicks it prior to it hitting the ground. Record keeping for punts in the National Football League (NFL) goes back to 1939.

To be eligible for career-long rankings, a player must have a minimum of 250 punts. After his 22 seasons as an NFL punter, Jeff Feagles retired with 1,713 punts, the NFL's career record. Feagles is the only punter to eclipse 1,500 career punts; a total of 24 players have reached 1,000 punts during their career. Feagles set the career record for total punts while playing for the New York Giants in 2005, when he recorded his 1,368th, surpassing Sean Landeta. With 1,168 punts for the Baltimore Ravens, Sam Koch has the most career punts for any individual franchise. The Kansas City Chiefs and Las Vegas Raiders are the only two franchises with two different players to record 1,000 punts for their teams.

Punting is a strategy in American football designed to put the opposing team at a disadvantage by dealing them with poor field position. As such, landing punts close to the receiving team's end zone is highly desired by the punting team. While techniques and strategies (such as the coffin corner punt) are utilized in this context, a punt that enters the end zone can result in a touchback if downed by the receiving team without the ball being advanced beyond their goal line. When a touchback occurs, the ball is placed at the 20-yard line. As such, the ratio of inside-the-20 punts to touchbacks is of consideration. The NFL began officially tracking punts landed inside the 20-yard line and those resulting in touchbacks in 1976.

Feagles holds the record for punts landing inside opponents' 20-yard line with 554. Shane Lechler holds the record for punting touchbacks with 178.

Career punts leaders + Key^ Inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame* Denotes player who is still active Based on at least 1,000 punts.

RankPlayerTeam(s) by seasonPunts1Jeff FeaglesNew England Patriots (1988–1989)Philadelphia Eagles (1990–1993)Arizona Cardinals (1994–1997)Seattle Seahawks (1998–2002)New York Giants (2003–2009)1,7132Andy LeeSan Francisco 49ers (2004–2014)Cleveland Browns (2015)Carolina Panthers (2016)Arizona Cardinals (2017–2022)1,4663Shane LechlerOakland Raiders (2000–2012)Houston Texans (2013–2017)1,4444Sean LandetaNew York Giants (1985–1993)Los Angeles / St. Louis Rams (1993–1996, 2003–2004)Tampa Bay Buccaneers (1997)Green Bay Packers (1998)Philadelphia Eagles (1999–2002, 2005)1,4015Brad MaynardNew York Giants (1997–2000)Chicago Bears (2001–2010)Cleveland Browns (2011)1,3396Lee JohnsonHouston Oilers (1985–1987)Cleveland Browns (1987–1988)Cincinnati Bengals (1988–1998)New England Patriots (1999–2001)Minnesota Vikings (2001)Philadelphia Eagles (2002)1,2267Dustin ColquittKansas City Chiefs (2005–2019)Pittsburgh Steelers (2020)Jacksonville Jaguars (2020)Atlanta Falcons (2021)Cleveland Browns (2021)1,1988Chris GardockiChicago Bears (1991–1994)Indianapolis Colts (1995–1998)Cleveland Browns (1999–2003)Pittsburgh Steelers (2004–2006)1,1779Sam KochBaltimore Ravens (2006–2021)1,16810Donnie JonesSeattle Seahawks (2004)Miami Dolphins (2005–2006)St. Louis Rams (2007–2011)Houston Texans (2012)Philadelphia Eagles (2013–2017)Los Angeles Chargers (2018)1,15711Dave JenningsNew York Giants (1974–1984)New York Jets (1985–1987)1,15412Chris MohrTampa Bay Buccaneers (1989)Buffalo Bills (1991–2000)Atlanta Falcons (2001–2004)1,15213Craig HentrichGreen Bay Packers (1994–1997)Tennessee Oilers / Titans (1999–2009)1,15014Matt TurkWashington Redskins (1995–1999)Miami Dolphins (2000–2001, 2003–2005)New York Jets (2002)St. Louis Rams (2006)Houston Texans (2007–2011)Jacksonville Jaguars (2011)1,14315Rohn StarkBaltimore Colts (1982–1983)Indianapolis Colts (1984–1994)Pittsburgh Steelers (1995)Carolina Panthers (1996)Seattle Seahawks (1997)1,14116Bryan BarkerKansas City Chiefs (1990–1993)Philadelphia Eagles (1994)Jacksonville Jaguars (1995–2000)Washington Redskins (2001–2003)Green Bay Packers (2004)St. Louis Rams (2005)1,13217Mark RoyalsPhiladelphia Eagles (1987)St. Louis Cardinals (1987)Tampa Bay Buccaneers (1990–1991, 1999–2001)Pittsburgh Steelers (1992–1994) Detroit Lions (1995–1996) New Orleans Saints (1997–1998) Miami Dolphins (2002–2003)Jacksonville Jaguars (2003)1,11618John JamesAtlanta Falcons (1972–1981)Detroit Lions (1982)Houston Oilers (1982–1984)1,08319Jerrel WilsonKansas City Chiefs (1963–1977)New England Patriots (19781,07220Brian Hansen New Orleans Saints (1984–1988)New England Patriots (1990) Cleveland Browns (1991–1993)New York Jets (1994–1998)Washington Redskins (1999)1,05721Dan StryzinskiPittsburgh Steelers (1990–1991)Tampa Bay Buccaneers (1992–1994) Atlanta Falcons (1995–2000)Kansas City Chiefs (2001–2002)New York Jets (2003)1,05522Ray Guy^Oakland / Los Angeles Raiders (1973–1986)1,04923Johnny Hekker*St. Louis / Los Angeles Rams (2012–2021)Carolina Panthers (2022–2024)Tennessee Titans (2025)Minnesota Vikings (2026-present)1,04924Rich CamarilloNew England Patriots (1981–1987)Los Angeles Rams (1988)Phoenix Cardinals (1989–1993)Houston Oilers (1994–1995)Oakland Raiders (1996)1,02725Kevin HuberCincinnati Bengals (2009–2022)1,01126Brett KernDenver Broncos (2008–2009)Tennessee Titans (2009–2021)Philadelphia Eagles (2022)1,00627Thomas MorsteadNew Orleans Saints (2009–2020)New York Jets (2021, 2023–2024)Miami Dolphins (2022)San Francisco 49ers (2025)1,00428Mike HoranPhiladelphia Eagles (1984–1985)Denver Broncos (1986–1992)New York Giants (1993–1996)St. Louis Rams (1997, 1999)Chicago Bears (1998)1,003Statistics accurate through the 2026 NFL season and gathered from Pro-Football-Reference.

Most punts inside the 20-yard line

+ Key* Denotes player who is still active Based on 300 career punts inside the 20-yard line

Rank Player Team(s) by season 1Jeff FeaglesNew England Patriots (1988–1989)Philadelphia Eagles (1990–1993)Arizona Cardinals (1994–1997)Seattle Seahawks (1998–2002)New York Giants (2003–2009)5542Dustin ColquittKansas City Chiefs (2005–2019)Pittsburgh Steelers (2020)Jacksonville Jaguars (2020)Atlanta Falcons (2021)Cleveland Browns (2021)4833Andy LeeSan Francisco 49ers (2004–2014)Cleveland Browns (2015)Carolina Panthers (2016)Arizona Cardinals (2017–2022)4764Shane LechlerOakland Raiders (2000–2012)Houston Texans (2013–2017)4695Sam KochBaltimore Ravens (2006–2021)4536Brad MaynardNew York Giants (1997–2000)Chicago Bears (2001–2010)Cleveland Browns (2011)4397Johnny Hekker*St. Louis / Los Angeles Rams (2012–2021)Carolina Panthers (2022–2024)Tennessee Titans (2025)Minnesota Vikings (2026-present)402 8Craig HentrichGreen Bay Packers (1994–1997)Tennessee Oilers / Titans (1999–2009)3999Brett KernDenver Broncos (2008–2009)Tennessee Titans (2009–2021)Philadelphia Eagles (2022)39610Sean LandetaNew York Giants (1985–1993)Los Angeles / St. Louis Rams (1993–1996, 2003–2004)Tampa Bay Buccaneers (1997)Green Bay Packers (1998)Philadelphia Eagles (1999–2002, 2005)38111 Donnie JonesSeattle Seahawks (2004)Miami Dolphins (2005–2006)St. Louis Rams (2007–2011)Houston Texans (2012)Philadelphia Eagles (2013–2017)Los Angeles Chargers (2018)37912Thomas MorsteadNew Orleans Saints (2009–2020)New York Jets (2021, 2023–2024)Miami Dolphins (2022)San Francisco 49ers (2025)37513Matt TurkWashington Redskins (1995–1999)Miami Dolphins (2000–2001, 2003–2005)New York Jets (2002)St. Louis Rams (2006)Houston Texans (2007–2011)Jacksonville Jaguars (2011)37314Kevin HuberCincinnati Bengals (2009–2022)34615Bryan Anger*Jacksonville Jaguars (2012–2015)Tampa Bay Buccaneers (2016–2018)Houston Texans (2019–2020)Dallas Cowboys (2021-present)34116Tress Way*Washington Redskins / Football Team / Commanders (2014-present)32817Bryan BarkerKansas City Chiefs (1990–1993)Philadelphia Eagles (1994)Jacksonville Jaguars (1995–2000)Washington Redskins (2001–2003)Green Bay Packers (2004)St. Louis Rams (2005)32518Chris GardockiChicago Bears (1991–1994)Indianapolis Colts (1995–1998)Cleveland Browns (1999–2003)Pittsburgh Steelers (2004–2006)32219Sam Martin*Detroit Lions (2013–2019)Denver Broncos (2020–2021)Buffalo Bills (2022–2024)Carolina Panthers (2025-present)32020Lee JohnsonHouston Oilers (1985–1987)Cleveland Browns (1987–1988)Cincinnati Bengals (1988–1998)New England Patriots (1999–2001)Minnesota Vikings (2001)Philadelphia Eagles (2002)31821Jon RyanGreen Bay Packers (2006–2007) Seattle Seahawks (2008–2017)311Statistics accurate through the 2026 NFL season and gathered from The Football Database.

Career punting touchbacks leaders

+ Key^ Inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame* Denotes player who is still active Based on 100 career punting touchbacks

Rank Player Team(s) by season 1Shane LechlerOakland Raiders (2000–2012)Houston Texans (2013–2017)1782Sean LandetaNew York Giants (1985–1993)Los Angeles / St. Louis Rams (1993–1996, 2003–2004)Tampa Bay Buccaneers (1997)Green Bay Packers (1998)Philadelphia Eagles (1999–2002, 2005)1663Craig HentrichGreen Bay Packers (1994–1997)Tennessee Oilers / Titans (1999–2009)142Lee JohnsonHouston Oilers (1985–1987)Cleveland Browns (1987–1988)Cincinnati Bengals (1988–1998)New England Patriots (1999–2001)Minnesota Vikings (2001)Philadelphia Eagles (2002)1425Rohn StarkBaltimore Colts (1982–1983)Indianapolis Colts (1984–1994)Pittsburgh Steelers (1995)Carolina Panthers (1996)Seattle Seahawks (1997)1336Andy LeeSan Francisco 49ers (2004–2014)Cleveland Browns (2015)Carolina Panthers (2016)Arizona Cardinals (2017–2022)1327Matt TurkWashington Redskins (1995–1999)Miami Dolphins (2000–2001, 2003–2005)New York Jets (2002)St. Louis Rams (2006)Houston Texans (2007–2011)Jacksonville Jaguars (2011)1298Ray Guy^Oakland / Los Angeles Raiders (1973–1986)1289Jeff FeaglesNew England Patriots (1988–1989)Philadelphia Eagles (1990–1993)Arizona Cardinals (1994–1997)Seattle Seahawks (1998–2002)New York Giants (2003–2009)12710Reggie RobyMiami Dolphins (1983–1992)Washington Redskins (1993–1994)Tampa Bay Buccaneers (1995)Houston / Tennessee Oilers (1996–1997)San Francisco 49ers (1998)11211Bryan BarkerKansas City Chiefs (1990–1993)Philadelphia Eagles (1994)Jacksonville Jaguars (1995–2000)Washington Redskins (2001–2003)Green Bay Packers (2004)St. Louis Rams (2005)10812Todd SauerbrunChicago Bears (1995–1999)Kansas City Chiefs (2000) Carolina Panthers (2001–2004)Denver Broncos (2005–2006, 2007)New England Patriots (2006)10813Rich CamarilloNew England Patriots (1981–1987)Los Angeles Rams (1988)Phoenix Cardinals (1989–1993)Houston Oilers (1994–1995)Oakland Raiders (1996)10714Brian Hansen New Orleans Saints (1984–1988)New England Patriots (1990) Cleveland Browns (1991–1993)New York Jets (1994–1998)Washington Redskins (1999)10715Dustin ColquittKansas City Chiefs (2005–2019)Pittsburgh Steelers (2020)Jacksonville Jaguars (2020)Atlanta Falcons (2021)Cleveland Browns (2021)10316Chris GardockiChicago Bears (1991–1994)Indianapolis Colts (1995–1998)Cleveland Browns (1999–2003)Pittsburgh Steelers (2004–2006)10317Mark RoyalsPhiladelphia Eagles (1987)St. Louis Cardinals (1987)Tampa Bay Buccaneers (1990–1991, 1999–2001)Pittsburgh Steelers (1992–1994) Detroit Lions (1995–1996) New Orleans Saints (1997–1998) Miami Dolphins (2002–2003)Jacksonville Jaguars (2003)10318Jeff GossettKansas City Chiefs (1981–1982) Cleveland Browns (1983, 1985–1987) Houston Oilers (1987) Los Angeles Raiders / Oakland (1988, 199610119Brad MaynardNew York Giants (1997–2000)Chicago Bears (2001–2010)Cleveland Browns (2011)10020Tom TupaPhoenix Cardinals (1988–1991)Indianapolis Colts (1992) Cleveland Browns (1993–1995)New England Patriots (1996–1998)New York Jets (1999–2001)Tampa Bay Buccaneers (2002–2003)Washington Redskins (2004–2005)100Statistics accurate through the 2026 NFL season and gathered from The Football Database.

See also List of NFL annual punting yards leaders List of NFL career punting yards leaders

References