Editor’s note: This is the final story in a series previewing the Bills’ position groups as training camp looms. Today – specialists.
Buckle up, folks, Punter Derby 2025 is about to commence for the Bills and new special teams coordinator Chris Tabor.
Such is the state of the Bills’ depth chart that Jake Camarda vs. Brad Robbins will be a talking/observing point during practices in Pittsford and particularly in the three preseason games. The winner replaces veteran Sam Martin, who was released and signed with the Carolina Panthers.
Punters Brad Robbins (left) and Jake Camarda at Buffalo Bills mandatory mini-camp in June. The Bills released Camarda on Tuesday.
In this corner is Camarda, 26. A fourth-round pick by Tampa Bay in 2022, he was the Buccaneers punter in 2022-23 and for the first four games of 2024. He carries a 49.1-yard average on 169 regular-season punts and a 48-yard average on 12 postseason punts.
Camarda played the first three games last year, was benched for two games, played in Week 6 and was waived.
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In this corner is Robbins, also 26. A sixth-round pick by Cincinnati in 2023, he kicked 76 times for a 44.3-yard average in 2023, his only NFL experience. He sustained a quadriceps injury in last year’s preseason, placed on injured reserve and waived Oct. 1.
From 2020-24, the Bills’ 246 punts are fewest in the NFL by 20 (Kansas City is next at 266); the New York Jets lead with 398 punts.
Translation: Ideally for the Bills, their offense will continue to operate at an elite level (league-high 289 touchdowns since 2020), which means Camarda/Robbins will be on the field more often to hold for extra-point attempts than attempting punts.
On the roster
Four: Tyler Bass (K), Jake Camarda (P), Brad Robbins (P) and Reid Ferguson (LS). Also, returner candidates Brandon Codrington and Laviska Shenault.
How many on the 53
Three specialists – Bass, Ferguson and one punter.
Though Sam Martin had a consistent performance for the Bills in 2024, averaging 40.2 yards on 150 punts in the regular season, he was cut to create $1.885 million in salary cap space.
Most impactful offseason move
Releasing Martin.
Martin was cut by the Denver Broncos on Aug. 29, 2022, and signed with the Bills two days later after the team waived rookie Matt Araiza following a civil suit that accused him and two former San Diego State teammates of gang rape (the lawsuit was dropped in December 2023).
Martin didn’t miss a game in three Bills seasons, averaging 40.2 yards on 150 punts in the regular season and 46.9 yards on 20 punts in the postseason.
The Bills cut Martin to create $1.885 million in salary cap space.
Biggest question to answer in camp
Besides punter, who returns punts and kickoffs?
As a rookie, Codrington was responsible for all 27 of the Bills’ regular-season punt returns (11.6-yard average) and 11 of their 24 kick returns (27.8-yard average). But in the playoffs, Codrington was a healthy scratch, replaced by receiver Khalil Shakir (punts) and running backs Ty Johnson and Ray Davis (kickoffs).
Using Shakir, the Bills’ best receiver, as a regular-season punt returner is too risky, leaving the opportunity available for Codrington – also a reserve cornerback – to retake the job.
Shenault was signed in the offseason to reunite with Tabor (Carolina, 2022-23). In 63 games, he has 25 kick returns (two touchdowns) and no punt returns.
Battle to watch
The aforementioned punter competition.
Under-the-radar player
Bass. Flash back to mid-October 2024 when the Bills – after seeing Bass miss three field goals and two point-after attempts in the first six games – signed kicker Lucas Havrisik to the practice squad. If Bass needed to be sent a message, it was successful. Havrisik was cut two weeks later.
Over the final 14 regular season/playoff games, Bass missed two field goals and three point-after attempts.
