Jake Bailey Bio
Jacob Richard Bailey is an American professional football punter who has played for multiple NFL franchises. He played college football for the Stanford Cardinal, where he set the school record for longest punt at 84 yards and became the all-time leader in career punt average. The New England Patriots selected Bailey in the fifth round of the 2019 NFL Draft, and he quickly established himself as one of the league’s top punters. In his second season, he earned First-team All-Pro honors and Pro Bowl selection, making him the first Patriots punter to achieve that distinction. He later joined the Miami Dolphins in 2023 before signing with the Atlanta Falcons in 2026.
Early Life and Background
Bailey was born on June 18, 1997, in Phoenix, Arizona. He attended Santa Fe Christian Schools in Solana Beach, California, where he developed into a highly decorated multi-sport athlete. During his high school football career, Bailey earned recognition as the nation’s fourth-best kicker rated by ESPN and the nation’s sixth-best punter rated by 24/7Sports. He lettered in three sports at Santa Fe Christian, including football, track and field, and soccer, demonstrating the athletic versatility that would serve him well at the collegiate level.
His exceptional leg strength and consistency caught the attention of college programs across the country. The combination of his powerful kicking ability and his performance in multiple sports made him an attractive prospect for major programs seeking a difference-maker in the kicking game.
Path to the NFL
Bailey chose to continue his academic and athletic career at Stanford University, joining the Stanford Cardinal football program in 2015. His transition to the collegiate level proved seamless, as he immediately contributed as the starting punter for one of college football’s most prestigious programs. Over four seasons at Stanford from 2015 to 2018, Bailey punted 185 times and became the all-time team leader in career punt average with an impressive 43.8 yards per kick. His performance included the longest punt in Stanford school history at 84 yards, a record that showcased his exceptional leg power and precision.
Bailey’s consistency earned him recognition throughout his collegiate career. He was a three-time All-Pac-12 Conference honoree and received two Pac-12 All-Academic honorable mention awards, demonstrating his ability to excel both on and off the field. His combination of athletic prowess and academic achievement made him a model student-athlete during his time at Stanford.
Jake Bailey Career
New England Patriots (2019-2022)
The New England Patriots selected Bailey in the fifth round with the 163rd overall pick in the 2019 NFL Draft. Upon joining the Patriots, Bailey immediately entered a competition with incumbent punter Ryan Allen, who had spent six seasons with the team including three Super Bowl victories. Bailey won the competition decisively, and the Patriots released Allen on August 19, 2019, after the team’s second preseason game.
Bailey’s rookie season demonstrated his readiness for the NFL level. In Week 3 of the 2019 season against the New York Jets, he earned AFC Special Teams Player of the Week honors. He repeated that achievement in Week 11 against the Philadelphia Eagles, recording five punts of 50 or more yards and six punts landing inside the 20-yard line. For the season, he averaged 48.7 gross yards per punt with a long of 71 yards and landed 31 punts inside the 20.
Bailey continued his strong play in subsequent seasons. In addition to his punting duties, he served as the Patriots’ holder on field goals and took over kickoff responsibilities after kicker Stephen Gostkowski was placed on injured reserve. His versatility and reliability made him invaluable to the Patriots’ special teams unit.
Pro Bowl and All-Pro Recognition (2020)
The 2020 season represented Bailey’s breakthrough year at the professional level. He was named to the 2021 Pro Bowl, joining special teamer Matthew Slater as the Patriots’ representatives. In January 2021, Bailey was named to the 2020 AP All-Pro First Team at punter, making him the first Patriots punter in franchise history to earn that distinction. He received 26 of 50 votes, establishing himself among the league’s elite at his position.
On August 1, 2022, Bailey signed a four-year contract extension worth $13.5 million through the 2025 season, reflecting the Patriots’ commitment to keeping him as their punter for the foreseeable future. However, his 2022 season was cut short when he was placed on injured reserve on November 19, 2022.
Miami Dolphins (2023-2025)
On March 10, 2023, the Patriots released Bailey, ending his four-year tenure with the organization. Three days later, on March 17, 2023, he signed with the Miami Dolphins, joining their roster for the 2023 season. The move gave Bailey an opportunity to continue his career with a franchise seeking to build a competitive roster.
Bailey demonstrated his continued excellence with the Dolphins. On March 14, 2024, he re-signed with the team on a two-year contract extension, indicating the Dolphins’ satisfaction with his performance and their plans to keep him as their punter moving forward. His consistency and leg strength remained valuable assets for Miami’s special teams unit throughout his tenure.
Driving Style and Strengths
Bailey’s punting style is characterized by exceptional leg strength and consistency. His ability to generate high hang time allows coverage teams to get downfield and limit return opportunities. He has demonstrated proficiency at pinning opponents deep in their territory, with a track record of landing punts inside the 20-yard line. His versatility extends to handling kickoff duties and serving as a field-goal holder, making him a three-phase special teams player.
Notable Events and Milestones
Throughout his career, Bailey has accumulated numerous achievements that highlight his impact on special teams. His college record of 84 yards at Stanford remains a testament to his leg power. In the NFL, his 2020 First-team All-Pro selection marked a historic achievement as the first Patriots punter to earn that honor. His multiple AFC Special Teams Player of the Week awards underscore his ability to deliver clutch performances in high-pressure situations.
Jake Bailey Career Statistics
Bailey has established himself as one of the most consistent punters in the NFL since entering the league in 2019. His career statistics reflect his reliability and ability to flip the field for his teams.
Career Highlights
Through the 2025 season, Bailey has punted 394 times for 18,257 yards, averaging 46.3 yards per punt with a long of 71 yards. He has landed 165 punts inside the 20-yard line, demonstrating his ability to pin opponents deep and change field position. His career average of 46.3 yards places him among the league’s top punters in terms of distance and consistency.
Jake Bailey Family
Family Background
Bailey was born to Brad and Susan Bailey in Phoenix, Arizona. He has one sister named Aly. His family has supported his athletic career throughout his journey from youth sports through his professional career. Bailey’s parents and sister have maintained a presence at his games when possible, supporting his endeavors in the NFL.
Personal Life
During his time at Stanford University, Bailey obtained his pilot’s license, showcasing his interests beyond football. On December 19, 2023, Bailey became engaged to Bailey Medeiros, an attorney who was a former New England Patriots cheerleader and Miss Massachusetts Teen USA 2014. Bailey’s engagement to Medeiros was announced publicly, marking a significant personal milestone in his life alongside his professional career.
2025 Season Performance
The 2025 season marked another chapter in Bailey’s tenure with the Miami Dolphins. Continuing as the team’s punter, he maintained the high standards of performance that have defined his career since entering the league. His ability to consistently pin opponents deep in their territory remained a crucial element of Miami’s special teams strategy.
Bailey’s experience and reliability provided stability for a Dolphins team looking to compete in the AFC. His professionalism and work ethic contributed to the team’s special teams continuity throughout the season. The two-year extension he signed in March 2024 reflected the organization’s confidence in his abilities and their belief in his long-term value to the team.
Throughout the 2025 campaign, Bailey continued to showcase the leg strength, accuracy, and consistency that earned him First-team All-Pro honors in 2020. His performance kept him among the league’s top punters, maintaining the reputation he built during his years with the Patriots and carrying that success forward with the Dolphins.