The Baltimore Ravens will enter the 2022 season looking a bit different on special teams following former veteran punter Sam Koch announcing his retirement from the NFL after 16 seasons. It was later revealed that he would stay in Baltimore as a special teams consultant, where he’ll be able to help the special teams unit and mentor his replacement in punter Jordan Stout, who the Ravens selected in the fourth round of the 2022 draft
Baltimore held their second session of organized team activities on Wednesday. Following practice, Ravens head coach John Harbaugh spoke with the media. He was asked about how different practice felt with Koch on the coaching staff, and Harbaugh let it be know that it was different not seeing Koch take punts, but that having him in a coaching role would be good for the team.
"It's a blessing for us." Coach Harbaugh on having @Sam_Koch4 working with @JORDANSTOUT92 pic.twitter.com/AswJF8IoRU
— Baltimore Ravens (@Ravens) May 25, 2022
“It was different. Punt practice seemed a little quieter and calmer out there – I don’t know why. But [special teams consultant] Sam [Koch] is an intense dude, and having him with those guys [and] with the young guy [Jordan] Stout, is just a blessing for us.”
Koch played in 256 of 257 contests during his time in Baltimore, missing just one game due to be placed on the Reserve/COVID-19 list. The veteran made the Pro Bowl in 2015 and was regarded as one of the best punters in the league. Stout will have some big shoes to fill in replacing Koch, but being mentored by his predecessor should help him make a big impact rather quickly.