Tag: Trenton Gill

Saints work out two punters despite Matthew Hayball winning initial position battle

Saints work out two punters in lieu of Matthew Hayball winning the initial position battle

The New Orleans Saints have had a significant burst of workouts Monday evening, including both receivers and punters. As for the punting side of things, they worked out Trenton Gill and Corliss Waitman, per NewOrleans.Football’s Nick Underhill. These workouts come only days after undrafted rookie Matthew Hayball won the initial starting position battle at punter over incumbent from 2023 Lou Hedley.

Neither player has had an exceptional start to their NFL career, however, both have starting experience at one point or another. Gill moved to the NFL in the 2022 NFL draft after spending four seasons at North Carolina State, where he would receive First-team All-ACC honors in 2021 and Third-team All-ACC honors in 2019. After being drafted in the seventh round at pick 255 by the Chicago Bears, he would end up as the starter in both 2022 and 2023. He accrued 133 punts there for 5,163 yards (46.1 average) and 38 inside the 20-yard line (28.6%). It is worth noting that his career long was a 76 yarder, which may be why the Saints took a look into him.

Waitman has had a much different football career, going undrafted in 2020 and being picked up by the Pittsburgh Steelers, where he would reside on their practice squad before being waived. He would then bounce around from the Las Vegas Raiders to the New England Patriots before coming back to Pittsburgh to get two games worth of opportunity, where he would punt 7 times for 365 yards (52.1 average) with only 1 inside the 20. In 2022 he ended up with the Denver Broncos where he would start the whole season, putting up 96 punts (most in the NFL that season) for 4,470 yards (46.6 average) and 30 inside the 20-yard line (31.3%). His career long is a 63 yarder, however he has not played in a regular season game since that season, as he would go to the practice squad of the New England Patriots for 2023 and Chicago Bears for 2024.

Ultimately, both may just be in consideration for pickups down the road pending the performance of Hayball. Or, maybe they want to retain one on the practice squad just in case of injury. We will see in the coming days if they want to make another addition at the position or if this was just for research. But at this time, neither has been signed, also per Nick Underhill.

2 players recently cut by Broncos work out for Saints

After being cut by the Broncos last week, WR Phillip Dorsett and P Trenton Gill worked out for the Saints on Monday.

One week after being cut by the Denver Broncos, two players worked out for the New Orleans Saints on Monday.

Former Broncos wide receiver Phillip Dorsett and ex-Denver punter Trenton Gill were among a group of players who visited the Saints, according to KPRC-TV’s Aaron Wilson.

Dorsett, 31, signed with the Broncos’ practice squad after the team set their 53-man roster last summer. Dorsett was elevated to the game-day roster twice in 2023 but did not record any receptions.

Gill, 25, competed with Riley Dixon for Denver’s punter job this summer. Gill showed off his powerful leg during preseason, but coach Sean Payton said the competition wasn’t close as Dixon retained the job.

New Orleans also worked out punter Corliss Waitman. who handled punting duties for the Broncos in 2022.

Denver made 38 roster moves last week to get down to a 53-man roster. So far, nine players cut by the Broncos have landed with NFL teams.

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Sean Payton says Broncos’ punter competition wasn’t very close

Trenton Gill averaged 48.6 net yards per punt in preseason, best in the NFL. Yet Riley Dixon won the job and it wasn’t really close.

The raw stats suggest Trenton Gill had a better preseason than Denver Broncos incumbent punter Riley Dixon this summer.

Gill and Dixon both got five punts in preseason. Gill averaged 53.6 yards per punt with a net average of 48.6 yards per punt (best in the NFL this summer). Dixon averaged 46.6 yards with a net average of 41.6.

Yet it was Dixon who made the 53-man roster.

“I don’t think [Gill] had the better numbers overall in the preseason,” Payton said when asked about the team’s decision. “I think Riley won that position. We’ve had a lot of battles. I don’t know that that one was that close.”

Hill showed off his powerful leg in preseason with a 73-yard long that improved his average, but he also had a 34-yard shank. Dixon was more consistent, and he presumably looked better in practice, right?

“All of it,” Payton said when asked what separated Dixon. “All of it.”

Perhaps its telling that waiver claims have processed and teams are filling up their practice squads and Gill is still available. Whether it was his hang time, the inconsistency, or something else, Gill’s overall summer was not as good as Dixon’s, even if the game numbers suggest otherwise.

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Riley Dixon wins punter competition; Broncos will cut Trenton Gill

The Broncos plan to cut Trenton Gill, so Riley Dixon has won the punter job in Denver.

The roster cuts have begun and the Denver Broncos have a winner in their punter competition.

Broncos incumbent Riley Dixon has won the starting job by default after the team notified Trenton Gill on Monday that he will be waived.

Dixon punted five times in preseason for 233 yards with an average of 46.6 yards per punt. Gill also got five punts and totaled 268 yards, an average of 53.6 yards per punt. Gill’s impressive average was boosted by a 73-yard long in the team’s preseason finale. Gill’s net average of 48.6 yards per punt ranked No. 1 in the NFL during preseason.

Despite having a better average, Gill gets the boot. After showing off his strong leg in preseason, Gill could get picked up by another club this week. Because the cut is not yet official, it’s still possible that Denver could look to trade Gill before Tuesday’s 53-man roster deadline.

After winning the punter job, Dixon will also serve as the Broncos’ holder this season and he is the emergency place kicker behind Wil Lutz.

Gill is one of five players who have been told they are being let go. We are tracking all of Denver’s roster cuts on Broncos Wire.

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10 things to watch for in Broncos’ preseason game vs. Packers

The Broncos are set to host the Packers in their Week 2 of NFL preseason. Here are ten things to watch for on Sunday night.

After defeating the Indianapolis Colts 34-30 in their preseason opener last week, the Denver Broncos are now set to host the Green Bay Packers in Week 2 of preseason on Sunday night.

Before the nationally televised showdown with the Packers arrives, here’s a quick list of 10 things we’ll be watching for against Green Bay.

1. Eyioma Uwazurike’s return: Uwazurike’s gambling suspension was lifted before the team’s preseason opener, but coach Sean Payton did not want to rush the defensive lineman back into action. After more than a year away from football, Uwazurike is now expected to make his return on Sunday.

2. Trenton Gill’s push for punting duties: Gill and incumbent Riley Dixon are competing for the punter job this summer. Dixon got the first two reps last week, and they ended up being the only reps. It’s a nice problem to have when the offense moves the ball so well that punters are rarely called upon, but the Broncos would like to get Gill some live-game reps this week.

3. Riley Moss stepping up at cornerback: Moss seems to be the favorite to start across from Pat Surtain this season. “[O]ne thing that he does exceptionally well is he phases the receivers well … his technique is good, he’s long and I’d say he has really good instincts,” Payton said earlier this week. Moss and Damarri Mathis are competing for the CB2 role.

4. Kris Abrams-Draine fighting for playing time: Abrams-Draine was one of the standout performers in Week 1 of preseason. We’ll see if that trend continues for the rookie cornerback in Week 2.

5. Samaje Perine stock watch: Perine had a game to forget last week and he might be in danger of not making the 53-man roster. He’ll need to finish preseason on a positive note to get back into the running back conversation.

6. Jonah Elliss competing for more playing time: Elliss is another rookie who impressed in the first week of preseason. “There’s some good tape with him,” Payton said of Elliss’ first game. Elliss will look to build on that positive performance.

7. Troy Franklin needs a bounce-back game: Franklin was invisible in the team’s preseason opener with one target and no catches. Franklin has also had a few drops at training camp this summer and his stock is low going into the Packers game. He needs a bounce-back performance.

8. Offensive line looking for another no-sack performance: Denver’s quarterbacks did not take any sacks last week. That reflects well on the team’s offensive line, the quarterbacks and the scheme. We can’t expect no-sack performances every week, but it will be interesting to see if last week’s protection carries over to the Green Bay game.

9. Jarrett Stidham vs. Zach Wilson: Stidham will get more reps this week after playing just two drives last week. Wilson will get clean-up duties again after performing well in Indianapolis. “I thought he had a real good game and I’m encouraged,” Payton said of Wilson. “I like what I’m seeing.” If Nix does win the starting job as expected, Stidham and Wilson will be competing for QB2 duties to close out preseason.

10. Bo Nix’s first (preseason) start in the NFL: Nix looked sharp in his debut last week, but it wasn’t a perfect performance. “There’s two plays where I think he can set his feet,” Payton said. “He’s kind of backing up a little and we can clean that up.” We’ll be watching to see if Nix has better footwork against the Packers.

Sunday’s game will be nationally televised on NFL Network and available to stream on fuboTV (try it free). Secondary market tickets for Denver’s preseason home opener start at $52. Next week, the Broncos will close out preseason at home against the Arizona Cardinals.

Denver is ultimately preparing for a regular season opener against the Seattle Seahawks, a road game on Sunday, Sept. 8 in Week 1.

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Broncos roster series: No. 47, punter Trenton Gill

Broncos punter Trenton Gill is set to compete with incumbent Riley Dixon this summer.

Broncos Wire’s 90-man offseason roster series continues today with a look at third-year punter Grenton Gill, No. 47.

Before the Broncos: Gill (6-4, 219 pounds) was picked by the Chicago Bears in the seventh round of the 2022 NFL draft out of NC State. He handled punting duties in each of the last two seasons in Chicago, averaging 46.1 yards per boot. He had 38 punts downed inside the 20-yard line, 11 punts go for touchbacks and one punt blocked. His net yards per punt average with the Bears was 38.5. His career long is 76 yards. Chicago cut Gill in May after they used a fourth-round pick to draft punter Tory Taylor.

Broncos tenure: Denver signed Gill this spring to provide competition for incumbent punter Riley Dixon. He’s set to earn $985,000 in 2024.

Chances to make the 53-man roster: Toss up. Gill (25) is younger and cheaper than Dixon (30; $1,735,000), which might help his chances in the competition. Dixon averaged 46.3 yards per punt last season with a net average of 41.5. His career long is 71 yards. If the two punters post similar numbers this summer, the Broncos might go with the cheaper option.

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Broncos roster series: No. 9, punter Riley Dixon

Riley Dixon will have to fend off Trenton Gill if he wants to remain the Broncos’ punter in 2024.

Broncos Wire’s 90-man offseason roster series continues today with a look at ninth-year punter Riley Dixon, No. 9 (he wore No. 19 last summer).

Before the Broncos: Dixon (6-4, 221 pounds) actually began his pro career in Denver after being picked by the Broncos in the seventh round of the 2016 NFL draft out of Syracuse. He spent the first two years of his career in Denver before being traded to the New York Giants in 2018 in exchange for a late-round draft pick. 

Dixon averaged 45.2 yards per punt in four seasons with the Giants with a long of 71 yards. He then spent one season with the Los Angeles Rams in 2022, averaging 48.4 yards per boot with a long of 67 yards.

Broncos tenure: Dixon returned to Denver last spring, signing a two-year contract. Last season, Dixon averaged 46.3 yards per punt with a long of 68 yards. He also served as the team’s holder for field goals. 

Chances to make the 53-man roster: Toss up. The Broncos brought in Trenton Gill this spring to compete with Dixon during training camp. Gill is younger and cheaper, so Dixon won’t be a lock to make the team. Denver’s punter job appears to be up for grabs going into the summer. 

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Trenton Gill to compete with Riley Dixon for Broncos’ punter job

Trenton Gill (25) is younger and cheaper than Riley Dixon (30). They will compete for the Broncos’ punter job this summer.

Going into the second week of organized team activities, the Denver Broncos have one kicker (Wil Lutz) and one long snapper (Mitchell Fraboni) on the 90-man offseason roster.

The other specialist position — punter — has two players (Riley Dixon and Trenton Gill), perhaps a sign that Denver plans to have a true punter competition this summer.

The Broncos signed Gill (25) on May 15. After playing college football at NC State, Gill was picked by the Chicago Bears in the seventh round of the 2022 NFL draft. Gill started all 34 games for the Bears over the last two seasons, averaging 46.1 yards per punt with a long of 76 yards. Chicago cut Gill this spring after they used a fourth-round pick to select punter Tory Taylor in the NFL draft.

Gill will have a salary cap hit of $985,000 this season, according to OverTheCap.com. His competition, Dixon, is older (30) and more expensive ($1.735 million). If the two punters turn in similar performances this summer, it wouldn’t be surprising to see Denver go with the younger, cheaper option.

Dixon averaged 46.3 yards per punt last year with a long of 68 yards. His career average is 45.8 yards and his career long is 71 yards.

While fans closely follow the Broncos’ quarterback competition at training camp, a key special teams battle will be happening simultaneously. May the best leg win.

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Broncos to sign former Bears P Trenton Gill

The former Bears punter has found a new home.

Former Chicago Bears punter Trenton Gill has found a new home, but he will still be wearing blue and orange. According to NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport, Gill is signing with the Denver Broncos. Terms of the deal have not been disclosed.

Gill, a 2022 seventh-round draft pick, was a below-average punter for the first two years of his career. He averaged just 46 yards per punt, and his touchback percentage ballooned from 4.5% in 2022 to 11.9% in 2023. He was ranked near the bottom of the league in most punting stats.

His status with the Bears was put in doubt after the team selected Iowa punter Tory Taylor in the fourth round of the 2024 NFL Draft. It didn’t take long for his future to be decided, however, as he was released a few days later.

Now, Gill heads to Denver to continue his career. He will likely compete with Riley Dixon for the position, who has been the Broncos punter since 2016.

Bears waive punter Trenton Gill

After drafting punter Tory Taylor in the fourth round, the Bears have officially parted ways with Trenton Gill.

There will be no punter competition this offseason for the Chicago Bears.

After drafting Tory Taylor in the fourth round of the 2024 NFL draft, the Bears have waived Trenton Gill, according to ESPN’s Field Yates.

The Bears drafted Gill in the seventh round of the 2022 NFL draft, which marked general manager Ryan Poles’ first draft class. Gill served as the team’s punter for the past two seasons, but he hit a bit of a sophomore slump.

Gill’s punt average did increase from his rookie season (by .1%), and he had some solid performances. His best game came against the Cardinals, where Gill averaged 52 yards per punt, including a career-long 76-yarder, and downed two punts inside the 20-yard line, which is something he struggled with at times. Gill had eight touchbacks on the season, which was up five from his rookie year. He downed 18 punts inside the 20-yard line on the year.

While the Taylor selection came as a surprise — especially for a team that entered the draft with just four picks — the Bears landed a difference maker in Taylor, who they believe can be a weapon for them.

Taylor was college football’s best punter, and he has the ability to flip the field that helped Iowa win football games because their offense couldn’t move the ball.

Poles called Taylor “one of the best punters I’ve ever seen.”

Now, there’s no doubt Taylor will be the guy. Although, if rookie quarterback Caleb Williams has his way, Taylor won’t be punting much in Chicago.