GREEN BAY, WI (WSAU) – The Green Bay Packers have made their first surprise cut of the offseason.
The team announced on Monday that veteran punter Pat O’Donnell has been released, meaning former XFL punter and UC-Davis standout Daniel Whelan has won the starting punter job.
Whelan was selected as the All-XFL punter in 2023, according to Packers Wire, after putting 11 of his 29 punts inside the 20-yard line for the D.C. Defenders and averaging 45.6 yards per punt. His 29 punts only produced two touchbacks.
Whelan had the highest punter grade during the XFL season, according to PFF. He ranked first in average hang time and second in net punting.
O’Donnell, 32, signed as a free agent before the 2022 season and played one season for the Packers. Throughout 17 games last year, he had 24 punts inside the 20-yard line and averaged 44.5 yards per punt.
The Packers will now feature both a rookie kicker and rookie punter in Week 1 against Chicago.
