I’mFrom Specialist to Superstar: AJ Cole Lands $90.8M From Raiders
In a stunning move that has redefined the value of special teams players in the NFL, the Las Vegas Raiders have signed punter AJ Cole to a record-breaking four-year, $90.8 million contract extension, a source familiar with the deal told The Associated Press on Friday.
The new contract makes Cole the highest-paid punter in league history — by a massive margin — and reflects his evolution from an undrafted free agent to a cornerstone of the Raiders’ special teams unit. The extension, which includes significant guaranteed money and performance incentives, will keep Cole in silver and black through the 2029 season.
A Game-Changer on and off the Field
Cole, 29, has quietly built a reputation as one of the most consistent and effective punters in the league. Since joining the Raiders in 2019, he has led the NFL in net punting average multiple times and earned Pro Bowl honors twice. His precision placement, hang time, and directional punting have regularly flipped field position and bailed the team out of difficult spots.
“He’s not just a punter — he’s a weapon,” said Raiders head coach Antonio Pierce. “What AJ brings in terms of field control, leadership, and reliability is irreplaceable. He’s earned every cent of this.”
A New Benchmark
Before this deal, the highest-paid punter in the league earned just over $4 million per year. Cole’s new contract — averaging over $22.7 million annually — shatters that benchmark and could reshape how teams approach special teams spending.
Analysts were initially shocked by the figure, but many have come to see it as a bold statement from the Raiders. “This contract challenges traditional NFL thinking,” said former general manager Mike Tannenbaum. “If you believe in hidden yardage and field position as game-changing elements, this is a strategic investment — not an overpay.”
A Fan Favorite and Locker Room Leader
Beyond the numbers, Cole has become a fan favorite in Las Vegas for his community work and down-to-earth demeanor. He’s also been a steady locker-room presence during the team’s recent transitional years.
Cole reacted to the news with characteristic humility. “I’m beyond grateful to the Raiders organization for believing in me,” he said in a team-issued statement. “This city and this team mean everything to me. I’m proud to represent them every time I take the field.”
What’s Next for the Raiders?
While the size of the deal has sparked league-wide conversation, the Raiders clearly see Cole as part of their core moving forward. With a revamped defense, a developing offense, and now a locked-in special teams unit, the team is signaling that every phase of the game matters in their pursuit of sustained success.
In the NFL, punters rarely make headlines. But AJ Cole just did — and he may have just changed the game for e
very specialist to follow.