Rams punter Johnny Hekker embraces competition entering tenth seasonPublished: Jun 05, 2021 at 11:08 AM
Michael Baca
NFL.com Digital Content Producer
Regarded as one of the NFL's premier special teamers in recent years, Rams punter Johnny Hekker isn't taking anything for granted as he approaches his tenth season.
The four-time All-Pro spoke bluntly about the competition he's facing during Rams OTAs and the implications surrounding the situation.
"When push comes to shove, they have to make the best decisions for this roster," Hekker told reporters on Thursday, via Gary Klein of the Los Angeles Times. "And there's no running around the financial aspect of it. So, you've got to do what you've got to do to put together the best roster that you can."
Hekker is currently the highest-paid punter in the NFL with a salary-cap number of $4.9 million, according to Over The Cap. Signed as an undrafted free agent in 2012, Hekker is also the longest-tenured player for the Rams and the 31-year-old is coming off a career-low 45.6 yards per punt in 2020.
"I definitely did not perform to the best of my abilities," Hekker acknowledged. "There were a few games that I really, I don't know, just kind of got just maybe ahead of myself mentally. ... There were definitely some kicks out there that I would have liked to have seen go better for the team. ... When I don't put our team in good positions that's the stuff that really bugs me."
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