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UPDATE: 6:46 a.m. Arrowhead Time
NFL Network’s Tom Pelissero said that the move was an outright release.
The #Chiefs have released longtime punter Dustin Colquitt, source said. After 15 seasons, Colquitt said goodbye on Instagram.
— Tom Pelissero (@TomPelissero) April 28, 2020
Colquitt himself confirmed that the move was not on his terms.
Not my terms...this is tough
— Dustin Colquitt (@dustincolquitt2) April 28, 2020
NFL Network’s Peter Schrager reported the Chiefs really like Tommy Townsend, who seems to be the favorite right now to become Colquitt’s successor. Tyler Newsome will provide competition.
Tommy Townsend, the rookie punter out of Florida, was a coveted UDFA whom the Chiefs signed. That, in addition to Dustin Colquitt's salary, had a lot to do with this morning's decision. Still, no @Chiefs player ever wore the uniform in more games than DC. What a guy and career.
— Peter Schrager (@PSchrags) April 28, 2020
Dustin Colquitt announces he’s leaving the Chiefs
(Originally posted by Tom Childs: April 28, 2020 at 2:02 a.m.)
After 15 years, Dustin Colquitt’s time in Kansas City has come to an end.
In an emotional post on Instagram the ever-present, fan-favorite shared his farewell:
“I have enjoyed my time in Chiefs Kingdom, all things come to an end, sometimes sooner than you hoped, prayed and pleaded for them to,” Colquitt wrote on the post.
“I’ll miss walking into the building and smelling the coffee, talking to everyone,” Colquitt continued. “It took me forever to weave through some of the most loving people you’d ever hope to work with. I was a young kid when I first walked into Arrowhead. Hell, the indoor facility used to be 70 yards long. Holding this post for 15 years has been an honor that I never took for granted. Thank you KC.”
His words suggest that he was released, not retiring. With pending contract renewals coming for Patrick Mahomes and possibly Chris Jones too, the Chiefs need to free up as much cap room as possible.
Dustin was due to make $2.65M in 2020 — by releasing him the team saves $2M in cap room.
The Chiefs had flirted with the idea of releasing Dustin for a season or two, often welcoming punter competition during training camp. Thankfully, he held onto his job long enough to be a part of a Super Bowl winning team — something his tenure in Kansas City certainly deserved.
The ever reliable punter holds the franchise record for punting yards (50,393), and more importantly appearances (250, including playoffs). His departure means that no one from the team that Andy Reid inherited in 2013 remains on the roster.
Charles, Hali, DJ, Houston, Berry and now Colquitt. It feels like today was the end of an era.
— Tom Childs (@tomchilds56) April 28, 2020
We’ll have to wait and see what the future holds for Dustin. Judging from his statement, he feels he is still capable of playing.
It’ll be tough seeing Dustin in another team’s uniform if he does decide to continue his playing career — none the less, we all look forward to welcoming Dustin into the Chiefs ring of honor.