Story perspectives

Morton Punts 133 Yards as Patriots Edge Eagles 24-21

8/23/2026

Summary

Patriots Beat Eagles

Patriots beat Eagles 24-21 in a preseason game at Gillette Stadium.
Backup quarterback Tommy DeVito threw a 69-yard touchdown pass to Kyle Williams.
Rookie undrafted receiver Nick DeGennaro caught a 37-yard game-winning touchdown for his first NFL score.
Third-string quarterback Behren Morton led a 73-yard drive ending with DeGennaro’s touchdown.
Rookie edge rusher Quintayvious Hutchins forced the game-sealing fumble for New England.

Summary

Vrabel Names Punter

Patriots head coach Mike Vrabel named rookie quarterback Behren Morton as emergency punter after Bryce Baringer fell ill.
Morton punted three times for 133 yards, averaging 44.3 yards with a 48-yard long.
His first in-game punt since high school traveled 43 yards, demonstrating he could handle the rush.
Vrabel said using Morton avoided risking injured Baringer or kicker Andy Borregales and kept special teams functional.

History

Historical Context

1965 Boston Patriots quarterback-punter Tom Yewcic led the team to an 8-4-2 record, showcasing dual-role versatility in the AFL's early years. Yewcic averaged 40.5 yards on 68 punts, while also completing 12 passes for 210 yards in the 1965 campaign, and contributed a rushing touchdown. Similarly, 2024 Patriots coach Mike Vrabel deployed rookie quarterback Behren Morton as emergency punter after Bryce Baringer’s illness, echoing Yewcic’s dual duties. The recurrence underscores the franchise’s historical willingness to repurpose players, influencing roster flexibility strategies across the NFL for future seasons.

1 of 3

Patriots Beat Eagles

Patriots beat Eagles 24-21 in a preseason game at Gillette Stadium.
Backup quarterback Tommy DeVito threw a 69-yard touchdown pass to Kyle Williams.
Rookie undrafted receiver Nick DeGennaro caught a 37-yard game-winning touchdown for his first NFL score.
Third-string quarterback Behren Morton led a 73-yard drive ending with DeGennaro’s touchdown.
Rookie edge rusher Quintayvious Hutchins forced the game-sealing fumble for New England.

1 / 3