Chargers 2023 roster review: Punter JK Scott

JK Scott was a key piece of the Chargers special teams last season.

Training camp is nearing, and with a few more weeks of dead time during the quietest part of the NFL offseason, Chargers Wire is endeavoring to document each of Los Angeles’ players before it kicks off.

As the Chargers looked to shore up their special teams last offseason, they signed punter JK Scott, who began his career with the Packers and spent a season with the Jaguars before landing in Los Angeles.

With his monstrous leg, Scott averaged 43.6 yards on 73 punts with a 41.1-yard net average. Only 19 of his punts were returned in 2022, and Los Angeles yielded the fewest punt-return yards in the NFL with 58.

Additionally, Scott won the AFC Special Teams Player of the Week Award for his performance in the Bolts’ 25-24 victory over the Cardinals on Nov. 27.

In March, Scott signed a two-year, $4 million contract.

Contract (2023): Scott signed a 2-year, $4,000,000 contract, including a $820,000 signing bonus, $820,000 guaranteed, and an average annual salary of $2,000,000. In 2023, he will earn a base salary of $1,080,000 and a signing bonus of $820,000 while carrying a cap hit of $1,490,000 and a dead cap value of $820,000.

Acquired: The Chargers signed Scott on Mar. 21, 2022.

Quote: Special teams coordinator Ryan Ficken on Scott:

“I was very excited [for him to come back]. I think the whole organization was, too. We’re very fortunate to be able to bring him back, have the organization support him. He believes in the organization, too. We feel he had a really good year, but he complemented our unit and what we were trying to achieve as a unit. You saw the success that we were able to have.”

Highlight:

Chargers re-sign punter JK Scott

A key member of the Chargers’ special teams will return in 2023.

A key member of the Chargers’ special teams will return in 2023.

ESPN’s Adam Schefter reported Friday that Los Angeles had come to terms with punter JK Scott on a new contract. The deal is worth $4 million over the next two seasons and ensures that the Chargers maintain continuity on special teams. Long snapper Josh Harris and kicker Dustin Hopkins remain under contract and kicker Cameron Dicker was tendered as an exclusive rights free agent.

After spending 2021 mostly out of football before joining the Jaguars late in the season, Scott signed with the Chargers under the recommendation of new special teams coordinator Ryan Ficken. He immediately turned around what had been one of the worst punting units in the league. The Chargers allowed just 66 punt return yards all season with Scott at the helm after allowing 323 in 2021 with Ty Long at punter.

While Scott doesn’t kick the ball far, as evidenced by his paltry 43.6 yards per punt, he kicks it high and prevents returns. Now, he’ll continue to flip the field for the Chargers.