The Pittsburgh Steelers are going to have some competition at punter in training camp.
Braden Mann, who spent his first three NFL seasons with the New York Jets, was awarded to the Steelers on a waivers claim Friday. He was cut by the Jets after they signed veteran Thomas Morstead.
Pressley Harvin III spent the past two seasons as the Steelers punter, and he’ll have to earn the job in training camp and the preseason if he wishes to return for a third season.
Mann, a sixth-round draft pick of the Jets in 2020 out of Texas A&M, matched Harvin for inconsistency last season. His 40.6 net punting average ranked tied for No. 22 and was half a yard shorter than Harvin’s 41.1 average.
Mann, though, dropped 27 of his punts inside the 20-yard-line, compared to 20 for Harvin. Eight of Mann’s punts went into the end zone for touchbacks, the third-most in the NFL. Harvin had five punts result in touchbacks.
Mann perhaps is best remembered for his punt in the waning moments against the New England Patriots that was returned 84 yards for a touchdown by Marcus Jones. The touchdown with five seconds left in the Nov. 20 game gave the Patriots a 10-3 victory and was the first punt return for a touchdown in the NFL last season.
If he makes the roster, Mann will carry a $1.01 million salary. Harvin is scheduled to make $940,000.
