Thomas Morstead talks Robert Saleh firing, Aaron Rodgers future, Greg Zuerlein struggles, and more

The 2024 season was a difficult one for the NY Jets organization. A team that entered the year with Super Bowl expectations found themselves in a battle for one of the top picks in the 2025 NFL Draft and out of the postseason race before December.

It was a fall from grace for a Jets team that many believed was primed to break their 13-year playoff drought entering the year. One player who experienced the Jets' disappointing season firsthand was punter Thomas Morstead.

Morstead finished up his 16th year in the NFL, and his third with the Jets, earlier this month and is looking forward to some time off this winter after one of the most challenging seasons of his career.

The former Pro Bowl punter recently sat down with The Jet Press to discuss everything from Robert Saleh's firing to Greg Zuerlein's struggles to Aaron Rodgers' future to his own 2025 plans.

Morstead also spoke in-depth about his "Punt for ALS” campaign in support of the Team Gleason Foundation. The 16-year veteran pledged to donate $1,000 for every punt he downed inside the 20-yard line. In total, the campaign has raised nearly $40,000 at the time of writing.

You can donate by clicking this link to support Morstead and contribute to this wonderful cause.

Below is a collection of excerpts from our interview with Morstead. Click this link or watch the video below to view the full interview.

NY Jets players were 'surprised' by Robert Saleh's firing

When asked about the Jets locker room's reaction to Robert Saleh's firing after the team's 2-3 start, Morstead said he and his teammates were "surprised" by the decision.

"I know everybody at the time was surprised," Morstead told Justin Fried of The Jet Press. “We all tried to make the best of it. Obviously it was a disappointing season all around."

Morstead praised interim head coach Jeff Ulbrich for doing his best to keep the team together. He discussed how other teams in the Jets' situation may have "splintered," but that Ulbrich ensured that didn't happen.

Morstead insisted that he doesn't know how the season would have unfolded if Saleh was not fired, but that he's sure "things would have been different."

“I don’t know the impact," Morstead said. "I’m sure things would have been different, but you don’t get to play it out both ways and see what both results were.”

Greg Zuerlein's struggles were not related to his age

Jets kicker Greg Zuerlein struggled mightily in 2024, connecting on just 9-of-15 field goals in eight games. He failed to make a single kick longer than 40 yards all season.

We asked Morstead to share his perspective on Zuerlein's struggles and why the kicker position as a whole tends to be so volatile. He provided interesting insight while also defending Zuerlein's talent.

"Greg still has a top-five leg in this league," Morstead insisted. "When I watch him kick, there’s not an aging thing going on there. He’s a special talent. It was just a crummy year. A few of the kicks he missed early in the season were tough deals."

Morstead specifically pointed to Zuerlein's missed 50-yard field goal late in the fourth quarter of the Jets' Week 4 loss to the Denver Broncos as one of those "tough deals," noting that the conditions for the kick were challenging for any kicker.

Valid excuse or not, Zuerlein's struggles understandably had an impact on his psyche, according to Morstead. "I’m sure Greg would tell you it wore on him as the season went on," Morstead claimed.

What's next for Aaron Rodgers?

Morstead was especially complimentary of his time as a teammate of Aaron Rodgers, insisting that it was "inspiring" to see him fight through multiple injuries to play all 17 games this season.

When asked about what might be next for Rodgers, Morstead insisted he didn't know for sure. He did make it clear, however, that fans probably shouldn't put much stock into the fact that Rodgers cried after the final game of the season.

“Everyone saw him emotional after the last game," Morstead said. "I cry after every last game because you never know as you get older. I don’t read into that as if it’s his last game. I think he was being totally present and he loves the game of football."

Morstead acknowledged that he too cries after the final game of every season, especially as his career has progressed. "The closer I get to the end, the more special it gets," Morstead said.

With one year left on his contract, all signs suggest Morstead will return to the Jets for at least another season. Playing another 17-game season would place him in the top 30 all-time for total games played — an achievement he wouldn't take for granted.

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