Despite a rough 0-3 start to the season, the performance of punter Austin McNamara has served as one of the few bright spots for the New York Jets.
Speaking to the media on Friday, Jets special teams coordinator Chris Banjo discussed what has contributed to his team’s incredible start to the season.
“Just relentless attention to detail,” said the former Arizona Cardinal. “With him [McNamara], just continuing to chase that standard that we talk about on a game-day basis. Also, coach Kevin O’Dea has been doing a phenomenal job with him and his approach. When we talk about his attention to detail, that comes from Coach O’Dea and his checklist. He continues to grow on a daily basis, and right now, we are happy where he is at, still really early in the season, but day-by-day process with him and we look forward to continuing to do that.
Three games through the 2025 season, McNamara holds the highest overall grade among punters at Pro Football Focus (82.0). He also ranks fifth in net average per punt (44.5) and fourth in hangtime (4.74). The Texas A&M product is the only punter to currently rank within the top five in both of those categories this season.
Special teams assistant Kevin O’Dea is in his first season back with the Jets after serving as the team’s special teams coordinator for two seasons (2008-2009). According to Banjo, the longtime coach has played a pivotal role in McNamara’s progress.
Through all the struggles, McNamara has quietly given the Jets one thing they can count on every Sunday. The unfortunate irony is that their most reliable player so far is someone who only takes the field when the offense fails.