Tressler William Way Bio
Tressler William Way is an American professional football punter for the Washington Commanders of the National Football League (NFL). He played college football for the Oklahoma Sooners and signed with the Chicago Bears as an undrafted free agent in 2013. Way joined the Commanders the following year, making three Pro Bowls and earning second-team All-Pro honors in 2019 while becoming the franchise leader in punting yards. Way punts left-footed, a relative rarity in the NFL.
Early Life and Background
Way was born on April 18, 1990, in Tulsa, Oklahoma. He graduated from Tulsa’s Union High School in 2008. During his high school years, he developed his skills as both a kicker and punter, laying the foundation for his future career in professional football.
Way attended the University of Oklahoma and redshirted his freshman season with the Oklahoma Sooners football team. He initially tried his hand at kicking before switching to punter, a position where he would ultimately excel. Way completed his bachelor’s degree in interdisciplinary studies at Oklahoma in December 2012. His collegiate career showed promise, as he earned third-team All-American honors and second-team All-Big 12 recognition in 2009.
Path to Professional Football
Despite his college accomplishments, Way went undrafted in the 2013 NFL Draft. His dedication and performance during tryouts caught the attention of NFL teams. The Chicago Bears signed him as an undrafted free agent on April 28, 2013, bringing him in to compete against veteran Adam Podlesh. Although he was waived during training camp, his potential was evident to league scouts.
Tressler William Way Career
Chicago Bears (2013–2014)
The Chicago Bears signed Way as an undrafted free agent on April 28, 2013. He was brought in to challenge veteran Adam Podlesh for the punting job. The Bears waived him on August 25 during final roster cuts. Way re-signed with the Bears for the 2014 offseason but lost out to rookie Pat O’Donnell and was waived again on August 18, 2014. Despite these setbacks, his performance in training camp kept him on NFL radars.
Washington Redskins/Football Team/Commanders Breakthrough (2014–Present)
The Washington Redskins claimed Way off waivers on August 20, 2014. In his first preseason game with the team, he recorded an average of 45.3 yards off four punts. He became the starting punter for the 2014 season following the release of Robert Malone. For the 2014 season, Way led the NFL in gross punting average with 47.5 yards. He finished his rookie season with 77 punts with a 47.52 average, immediately establishing himself as a reliable weapon for the franchise.
At the start of the 2015 season, Way was voted as the team’s special teams captain, reflecting his rapid influence in the locker room. He finished the 2015 season with 70 punts for a 46.6 average. On March 4, 2016, the team extended a tender to Way, and on March 12, they signed him to a five-year contract extension, securing his long-term future with the organization. He finished the 2016 season with 49 punts for a 45.08 average.
In the 2017 season, Way finished with 83 punts for a 45.7 average. During Week 10 of the 2018 season, Way punted five times for a net average of 47.8 yards, downing four punts inside the 20-yard line in a 16–3 win over the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, earning him NFC Special Teams Player of the Week honors. Overall, he finished the 2018 season with 79 punts for a 45.33 average.
The 2019 season marked Way’s breakthrough year. During Week 13, he hit two of his five punts inside the 20 with an average of 58 yards per punt and a long of 79 yards in a 29–21 win over the Carolina Panthers, earning NFC Special Teams Player of the Week. For his performance, Way was voted to the 2020 Pro Bowl and named second-team All-Pro. He led the NFL in yards per punt during the 2019 season and recorded the longest punt of the year with a 79-yarder. On December 27, 2019, Way signed a four-year, $15 million contract extension. He finished the 2019 season with 79 punts for a 49.61 average.
Washington Commanders Era (2014–Present)
Way continued his strong play into the 2020 season. In Week 11 against the Cincinnati Bengals, he punted five times with a gross average of 50.4 yards while landing three of them inside the 20 during the 20–9 win, earning NFC Special Teams Player of the Week. In Week 14 against the San Francisco 49ers, Way averaged 49.8 yards on eight punts during the 23–15 win and earned the NFC Special Teams Player of the Week award for the second time that season. In the 2020 season, Way appeared in all 16 games, recording 73 total punts for a 48.00 average.
In the 2021 season, Way played in 16 games and recorded 60 total punts for a 48.35 average. He was named NFC Special Teams Player of the Month for October 2022. In the 2022 season, he recorded 83 punts with a 46.81 average and was voted into the 2023 Pro Bowl. Way was named NFC Special Teams Player of the Week in Week 9 of the 2023 season after placing four of his five punts inside the 20-yard line in a 20–17 road victory over the New England Patriots. In the 2023 season, he had 73 punts for 3,361 yards for a 46.04 average.
By the end of the 2024 season, Way became Washington’s franchise leader in punting yards. He gave up his uniform number 5 in a deal with quarterback Jayden Daniels after the team selected the latter second overall in the 2024 NFL Draft. Way had worn the number since joining the team in 2014. In the 2024 season, he had 50 punts for 2,343 yards for a 46.86 average. In the 2024 NFC Championship Game against the Philadelphia Eagles, he completed a 23-yard pass off a fake punt to Ben Sinnott, marking his first passing attempt since the 2018 season.
Way re-signed with the Commanders on a one-year contract on March 20, 2025. On December 23, 2025, the league announced Way was the only player from the team to be voted into the 2026 Pro Bowl Games. He finished the 2025 season with 56 punts for 2,651 total yards for a 47.3 average. On February 10, 2026, Way signed a one-year extension with the Commanders.
Driving Style and Strengths
Way punts left-footed, a relative rarity in the NFL that contributes to an unusual spin on the ball. His ability to consistently pin opponents inside the 20-yard line has made him one of the league’s most reliable punters. With a career gross average consistently above 45 yards and multiple seasons above 48 yards, Way combines distance with precision. His experience as a team captain has also translated into leadership within the special teams unit.
Notable Events and Milestones
Among Way’s most memorable moments was his Pro Bowl selection in 2019 when he also earned second-team All-Pro honors. His 79-yard punt during the 2019 season stood as the longest in the league that year. His fake punt pass in the 2024 NFC Championship Game showcased his versatility and football intelligence. Becoming Washington’s all-time leader in punting yards cemented his legacy with the franchise.
Tressler William Way Career Wins
Across his NFL career, Way has established himself as one of the league’s most consistent punters. He has appeared in 196 games, recording 832 punts for 39,031 yards with a 46.9 career average and 325 punts inside the 20-yard line.
NFL Highlights
Way led the NFL in gross punting average during his rookie season with the Commanders in 2014 at 47.5 yards. His 2019 season stands as his best, when he earned second-team All-Pro and his first Pro Bowl selection. He led the NFL in yards per punt that season with a 49.61 average on 79 punts. His Pro Bowl selections continued in 2022 and 2025, while his multiple NFC Special Teams Player of the Week honors span from 2018 through 2023.
Other Notable Performances
Beyond his regular-season accomplishments, Way’s postseason performance in 2024 included a historic 23-yard passing play on a fake punt in the NFC Championship Game. His ability to execute trick plays demonstrates his understanding of the game and willingness to contribute beyond traditional punting duties.
Tressler William Way Family
Family Background
Way comes from an athletic family with connections to professional baseball. His wife Brianna Turang was a softball and soccer player at the University of Oklahoma. She is the sister of current Milwaukee Brewers infielder Brice Turang and daughter of former Major League Baseball outfielder Brian Turang.
Personal Life
In 2013, Way married Brianna Turang. The couple has built their life around athletics and family. Way has spoken publicly about his Christian faith. His left-footed punting style sets him apart in the NFL, where right-footed punters dominate the position.
2025 Season Performance
The 2025 season represented another strong year for Way with the Commanders. Re-signed on March 20, 2025, Way demonstrated the consistency that has defined his career. His selection as the Commanders’ sole representative at the 2026 Pro Bowl Games in December 2025 underscored his continued value to the team. He finished the 2025 season with 56 punts for 2,651 total yards for a 47.3 average.
Throughout the season, Way maintained his role as the franchise’s all-time leader in punting yards while serving as a veteran presence in the special teams unit. His contract extension through 2026 signals the team’s continued confidence in his abilities. As the Commanders build around quarterback Jayden Daniels, Way’s reliable punting remains a crucial component of the team’s strategic approach, particularly in field position battles that often determine game outcomes.