The Packers signed punter Tim Masthay to a contract extension, the team officially announced Friday afternoon. The deal, which was first reported by NFL.com, is reportedly for four years and $5.465 million and includes a $1.2 million signing bonus.
At an average salary of $1.366 million, Masthay becomes the 15th highest paid punter. Masthay’s 2012 base salary of $540,000 remains the same but will increase to $765,000 in 2013, $900,000 in 2014, $1 million in 2015 and $1.2 million in 2016, according to the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel. He’ll also get a $100,000 workout bonus in each year of the new deal.
Since signing with the Packers in January 2010, Masthay has solidified a position that for years was a weak spot in Green Bay. Nicknamed the “Ginger Wolverine” by his teammates, Masthay set franchise records for gross and net punting averages last season with 45.6 and 38.6-yard averages respectively.
Special teams coach Shawn Slocum told the Journal Sentinel: "[Masthay’s] mechanics are very sound right now, the best that they've been since I've been around him. His drop, his footwork, his body position, his eyes. He's hitting the ball well. Very solid."
With the deal, the Packers have both Masthay and kicker Mason Crosby (five-year, $14.75 million contract signed in 2011) locked up through 2016.
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