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Punter JK Scott Needs to Earn His Keep with Chargers
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- Punter JK Scott Needs to Earn His Keep with Chargers
(Troy Taormina-Imagn Images)
The Los Angeles Chargers released JK Scott on Sunday as part of their initial 53-man roster cuts, but it quickly became clear that the move was more about roster maneuvering than actually moving on from their punter. Scott was brought back Monday, meaning he is once again expected to be the Chargers' punter heading into the 2026 season.
That is probably the right decision for the Chargers, but it does not mean Scott should feel completely comfortable about his job.
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Scott simply has not been good enough consistently.
There have certainly been times when Scott has shown why the Chargers have stuck with him. His ability to get hangtime and flip the field has been valuable, and his career numbers are respectable. But there have also been far too many moments where he has failed to make the kind of impact the Chargers need from their punter.
The most recent example came against the 49ers in the preseason when Jacob Cowing returned a punt 83 yards for a touchdown. Scott's missed tackle attempt made the play even worse and drew criticism from head coach Jim Harbaugh.
And that is part of the problem. It is not just about the occasional bad punt. The Chargers need their special teams to be a strength, and Scott has to be more consistent if that is going to happen.
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Scott has punted 11 times this preseason , averaging 43.8 yards per punt with five punts downed inside the 20. Those numbers are not disastrous, but they are not exactly screaming that the Chargers have one of the better punters in the league either.
The Chargers clearly still believe Scott gives them the best chance to win. If they did not, they would not have brought him back immediately after releasing him. The release was essentially a temporary roster maneuver designed to give the team some flexibility as it finalized the roster.
But bringing Scott back should not be viewed as the Chargers giving him a free pass.
Scott is entering another season with the team and now needs to prove that he belongs here. The Chargers have legitimate playoff aspirations, and special teams can become extremely important in close games. A bad punt can change field position, swing momentum and ultimately decide a game.
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Scott has shown that he is capable of being a quality NFL punter. Now he needs to show that consistently.
The Chargers gave him another opportunity when they brought him back. The rest is up to him.
It is time for JK Scott to earn his keep.
