Matt Haack

Matt Haack Bio

Matthew Scott Haack is an American professional football punter currently playing for the Arizona Cardinals of the National Football League. Born on July 25, 1994, in Des Moines, Iowa, Haack attended Dowling Catholic High School before playing college football at Arizona State University from 2013 to 2016. He entered the NFL in 2017 as an undrafted free agent with the Miami Dolphins and has since become one of the league’s most traveled players, suiting up for nine different franchises over his career. Known for his consistency and ability to pin opponents deep in their territory, Haack has accumulated over 21,000 punting yards during his professional career.

Early Life and Background

Matthew Scott Haack grew up in Des Moines, Iowa, where he attended Downing Catholic High School and graduated in 2013. During his high school career, Haack established himself as an exceptional kicking prospect, earning a ranking as the No. 15 kicker in the nation by Rivals.com. He was also recognized as the state of Iowa’s No. 10 overall prospect among all positions, demonstrating the versatility and talent that would carry him to the collegiate level. His outstanding performance at Dowling Catholic earned him induction into the Dowling Catholic High School/St. Joseph Academy Athletic Hall of Fame on September 14, 2018, cementing his legacy as one of the school’s most accomplished athletes.

Path to Professional Football

After his stellar high school career, Haack chose to continue his football journey at Arizona State University, where he played for the Sun Devils from 2013 to 2016. As a true freshman in 2013, he shared punting duties with several teammates, finishing with 16 punts for 612 net yards at a 38.3-yard average. He steadily improved each season, taking on a larger role in the punting game while developing his craft under the Arizona State coaching staff. By his junior year in 2015, he had become the primary punter, handling all but three of the team’s punts and finishing fifth nationally and fourth in the Pac-12 with a 43.1-yard average per punt.

Haack saved his best collegiate season for his senior year in 2016. He handled virtually all of the team’s punting responsibilities, appearing in multiple games and delivering consistent performances that earned him Second-team All-Pac-12 honors. He finished that season with 66 punts for 2,897 net yards, averaging 44.4 yards per punt. His four-year college career positioned him well for the NFL draft, though he would ultimately go undrafted in 2017.

Matt Haack Career

Miami Dolphins (2017–2020)

On May 5, 2017, Haack signed as an undrafted free agent with the Miami Dolphins, agreeing to a three-year, $1.67 million contract. He immediately competed for the starting punter job and won the role as a rookie, beating out incumbent punter Matt Darr. Haack made his NFL debut on September 17, 2017, against the Los Angeles Chargers, recording three punts for 130 total yards. Throughout his debut season, he proved his reliability, finishing with 83 punts for 3,695 net yards at a 44.52-yard average, establishing himself as a dependable option for the Dolphins’ special teams unit.

Haack’s breakthrough season came in 2018 when he earned American Football Conference Special Teams Player of the Week honors in Week 9. He averaged 44.7 yards on nine punts during a critical 13-6 victory over the New York Jets, showcasing his ability to flip the field in high-pressure situations. He continued his strong play throughout the season, accumulating 87 punts for 3,884 net yards at a 44.64-yard average. The 2019 season brought one of Haack’s most memorable moments when he executed a historic trick play on December 1. He completed a one-yard touchdown pass to kicker Jason Sanders in the end zone during a 37-31 victory, marking the NFL’s first touchdown pass to a kicker since October 16, 1977. He finished that season with 69 punts for 3,105 net yards at a 45.00-yard average. In 2020, Haack was re-signed to a one-year contract worth $2.133 million and recorded 68 punts for a 44.7-yard average before his departure from Miami.

Buffalo Bills (2021) and Indianapolis Colts (2022)

On March 18, 2021, Haack signed a three-year contract with the Buffalo Bills, joining a team with championship aspirations. He served as the Bills’ primary punter during the 2021 season, recording 52 punts at a 42.9-yard average. However, his tenure ended unexpectedly on August 22, 2022, when he lost the punter position to rookie Sam Martin during training camp and was subsequently released. Haack quickly found a new opportunity, signing with the Indianapolis Colts on August 24, 2022. He returned to form with the Colts, finishing the 2022 season with 70 punts at a 44.8-yard average, demonstrating his resilience and ability to contribute after an abrupt career shift.

Journeyman Years (2023–2024)

The 2023 season began a remarkable period of流动性 for Haack. He signed with the Arizona Cardinals on May 15, 2023, but was waived on August 21 before the regular season. He then joined the Cleveland Browns’ practice squad on December 26, 2023, appearing in a game against the New York Jets where he punted three times with an impressive 51.7-yard average before being released on January 2, 2024. Haack returned to Buffalo on January 17, 2024, signing with the Bills’ practice squad after their punter Sam Martin suffered a hamstring injury during a playoff game against the Pittsburgh Steelers. He was released three days later but re-signed with Buffalo on March 6, only to be let go again on May 31. Haack signed with the New York Giants on October 12, 2024, and made his 100th NFL appearance the following day against the Cincinnati Bengals. He was released on November 12. Haack finished 2024 with the Jacksonville Jaguars, signing to their practice squad on December 3 before being released on December 10.

Denver Broncos and Arizona Cardinals Return (2025–Present)

On March 19, 2025, Haack signed a one-year deal with the Denver Broncos, reuniting with special teams coordinator Darren Rizzi, who had previously held that role during his time with the Miami Dolphins. The connection with Rizzi provided Haack an opportunity to contribute to a Broncos team building for the future. However, he was released on May 9, 2025, during roster cuts. Haack found another opportunity with the Arizona Cardinals on November 19, 2025, returning to the franchise for a second stint. He replaced punter Blake Gillikin and immediately contributed with 25 punts at a 51.3-yard average, demonstrating his continued ability to perform at a high level when called upon.

Matt Haack Career Statistics

Throughout his NFL career spanning from 2017 to 2025, Haack has established himself as a consistent and reliable punter across multiple organizations. His career statistics reflect his durability and skill in flipping the field for his teams, with particular strength in his ability to pin opponents inside their own 20-yard line.

NFL Career Highlights

Haack has played in 115 NFL games, accumulating 478 punts for 21,517 yards with a career average of 45 yards per punt. His longest recorded punt traveled 70 yards, demonstrating his ability to boom kicks when needed. He has recorded 179 punts inside the opponents’ 20-yard line, showcasing his precision and coffin-corner kicking ability. Perhaps most uniquely, Haack has also thrown one touchdown pass in his career, the historic trick-play pass to Jason Sanders in 2019, making him part of NFL trivia history.

Season-by-Season Performance

Haack’s most productive statistical seasons came with the Miami Dolphins, where he served as the primary punter for four seasons. His 2018 season with Miami stands out, featuring his AFC Special Teams Player of the Week performance and 87 total punts. The 2019 season saw him achieve his highest single-season average at 45.00 yards while also recording his historic touchdown pass. After leaving Miami, Haack maintained his averages in the 42-45 yard range across his various teams, proving his consistency regardless of environment or teammates.

Matt Haack Family

Personal Life

Matt Haack has maintained a relatively private personal life despite his public NFL career. He is married to his longtime wife, Haack, with whom he shares his life off the football field. Haack is known among teammates and coaches for his professionalism and work ethic, attributes that have helped him sustain an NFL career despite frequent team changes. He maintains an active presence on social media, connecting with fans through his Instagram account @matthaack21. His ability to adapt quickly to new teams and maintain performance levels speaks to both his football intelligence and personal resilience.

2025 Season Performance

The 2025 season has represented a remarkable resurgence for Haack after a turbulent start to the year. After being released by the Denver Broncos in May, Haack remained patient and worked to stay ready for his next opportunity. That opportunity came in November 2025 when the Arizona Cardinals signed him following an injury to their incumbent punter Blake Gillikin. Haack stepped in immediately and made an impact, averaging 51.3 yards per punt over 25 punts during his initial games with the team, his highest single-season average since entering the league. The Cardinals valued his experience and consistency, providing him a chance to contribute to a team fighting for playoff positioning. His ability to boom punts at over 51 yards per attempt demonstrated that even after years of journeyman football, Haack retained the leg strength and technique that made him an NFL player. Looking ahead, Haack appears positioned to finish the 2025 season with Arizona and potentially earn consideration for a more permanent role with the organization or elsewhere in the league given his strong recent performance.