KANSAS CITY, Mo. — The Kansas City Chiefs' all-time leader in games played has suited up for the franchise for the last time.
If there's a silver-lining, at least he goes out as a Super Bowl champion.
Long-time Chiefs punter Dustin Colquitt, a third-round pick in the 2005 NFL Draft, is tied with fellow punter Jerrel Wilson for longest tenure in Chiefs history at 15 seasons.
Colquitt thanked Kansas City fans for those 15 years, which were capped by a Super Bowl title in February, in a post on Instagram Monday night:
"I have enjoyed my time in Chiefs Kingdom, all things come to an end, sometimes sooner than you hoped, prayed & pleaded for them to,” he wrote. “I’ll miss walking into the building & smelling the coffee, talking to everyone...it took me forever to weave through some of the most loving people you’d ever hope to work with. I was a young kid when I first walked into Arrowhead...hell, the indoor facility used to be 70 yards. Holding this post for 15 years has been an honor that I never took for granted. Thank you KC.”
Colquitt later hinted again that the decision was not his, which was confirmed Tuesday afternoon when the Chiefs announced that it had released him.
"I have a great deal of respect and admiration for Dustin and the incredible career he was able to put together here in Kansas City," Chiefs General Manager Brett Veach said in a statement from the team announcing Colquitt’s release. "When you have a player that special, and someone who has meant so much to our team and community for so long, it makes these decisions really hard. I certainly enjoyed our time together here and wish him the best as he moves forward."
The move saves Kansas City about $2 million against the salary cap.
Colquitt — a Knoxville, Tennessee, native and former standout at the University of Tennessee — appeared in a club-record 238 regular-season games plus 12 postseason contests, which are the most in franchise history.
He holds the Chiefs’ records for most punts (1,124), highest career punting average (44.8 yards), highest single-season punting average (46.8 yards in 2012), highest career net-punting average (39.7 yards) and most punts inside the 20-yard line (462).
Colquitt ranks third all-time in NFL history in punts inside the 20, trailing only Jeff Feagles (554) and Shane Lechler (469).
"Dustin is one of the greatest Chiefs of all-time and I'm grateful I had the opportunity to coach him these past seven years," Chiefs coach Andy Reid said in a statement from the team. "The longevity of his career here in Kansas City shows you just how consistently he has performed at a high level. Beyond his impact on the field, he was a great teammate and leader. I will always be a huge Dustin Colquitt fan."
A two-time Pro Bowl selection, Colquitt also was active in the community, including his work with Team Smiles, and was nominated multiple times for the Walter Payton NFL Man of the Year Award.
"My family and I are immensely grateful for the contributions Dustin and his family have made to the Chiefs over the last 15 years," Chiefs Chairman and CEO Clark Hunt said in a statement. "Dustin has cemented his place as one (of the) greatest punters in the history of the NFL. In addition to his exceptional play on the field, Dustin has been an invaluable member of the Kansas City community, and his dedication and generosity improved the lives of countless families throughout Chiefs Kingdom. Dustin consistently represented himself, the Chiefs and the Kansas City community with integrity and class, and he will always be a member of the Chiefs family."
Colquitt will likely join Wilson in the Chiefs’ Hall of Fame at some point. His father, Craig, won a pair of Super Bowl titles with Pittsburgh, while his brother, Britton, and uncle, Jimmy, also punted in the NFL.
For now, Colquitt, who lives in Overland Park with his wife and five children, becomes a free agent.
Kansas City has two punters on its roster, who will compete to replace Colquitt.
Former Notre Dame punter Tyler Newsome, who was in training camp last summer with the Los Angeles Chargers, and undrafted rookie Tommy Townsend, of Florida, have been lined up as possible successors.
Newsome averaged 44.0 yards per punt at Notre Dame, most of the time while sporting a signature mullet hairstyle.
During the past two seasons with the Gators, Townsend, a transfer from Tennessee, averaged 44.8 yards per punt. His brother, Johnny, was the Raiders’ punter in 2018.
