The Bengals plan to stick with Brad Robbins as their punter for the time being, but they are considering adding some competition during the offseason, either through the draft or free agency. Darrin Simmons, the special teams coordinator, is open to the idea of bringing in another punter to create healthy competition, stating that it often brings out the best in players. While they haven’t ruled out adding competition for Robbins, they could also explore signing a top punter like Tommy Townsend, who has ties to Evan McPherson from their time together in Florida.
Simmons acknowledges that there are intriguing options available in free agency that could benefit the team, but emphasizes that any decision will be made at the organizational level, considering the allocation of resources. Despite their openness to bringing in competition, Simmons believes that Robbins has the potential to improve significantly and become the primary punter for the team. However, they are actively looking to address the punting issues they faced in 2024.
While Simmons acknowledges there is room for improvement, he also highlights that Robbins’ rookie-year statistics compare favorably to those of Kevin Huber. He sees his role as helping Robbins develop and enhance his performance, suggesting adjustments in techniques to improve production. Improving the punting situation is a priority for the Bengals, and they are exploring various avenues to achieve this goal swiftly.
