Detroit Lions punter Jack Fox signed his exclusive rights free agent tender Monday, a contract that could be a precursor to a bigger long-term deal.
Fox finished second in the NFL in net punting in his first season with the Lions in 2020, when he set franchise records by averaging 49.1 yards per punt with a 44.8-yard net.
Fox averaged 49.2 yards per punt last season, though his net average dipped to 42.3 yards. He also has handled most kickoffs the past two seasons, and last year completed 2 of 3 passes on fake punts, with his lone incompletion sailing through teammate Godwin Igwebuike’s hands in Week 18.
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Detroit Lions punter Jack Fox punts against Indianapolis Colts during the first half of a preseason game at Ford Field in Detroit, Friday, Aug. 27, 2021.
Lions special teams coach Dave Fipp called Fox, a high school quarterback, “a coach’s dream” as a punter because of his passing ability.
“It just…