The New England Patriots won't have to find a new punter for the 2019 season.
Veteran punter Ryan Allen was eligible to sign with other teams in free agency, but the Patriots have agreed to a contract to bring him back.
NBC Sports Boston's Phil Perry confirms that it's a one-year deal for Allen. NFL Media's Ian Rapoport was first to report the agreement.
Allen, 29, has punted very well for the Patriots since making his NFL debut in 2013. He tallied 64 punts for the Patriots last season with an average distance of 45.1 yards and 21 of them landing inside the 20-yard line.
It's pretty rare for the Patriots to give a punter a second contract.
He also was one of the Patriots' best players in their Super Bowl LIII victory over the Los Angeles Rams. Special teams was an important factor in that game, and Allen helped the Pats control field position throughout the night with three punts inside the 10-yard line.
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