Raiders, AJ Cole Reportedly Reach $15.8M Contract Extension as NFL's Top-Paid Punter

The Las Vegas Raiders and punter AJ Cole agreed to a $15.8 million contract extension, making him the highest-paid punter in the NFL, per NFL insider Jordan Schultz.

Cole had one year remaining on his current contract with the Raiders and by agreeing to a four-year, $15.8 million extension that includes $11 million guaranteed, he's now under contract with the franchise for the next five seasons.

Following the news, Schultz talked with the three-time Pro Bowler on the extension and huge step in his career.

“There was a point where I thought football might be over. After the draft, doubt started to creep in," Cole said, per Schultz. "I went into the Raiders rookie tryout thinking, ‘These might be the last three days of football I ever get.’ So I enjoyed every second — and I’ve been doing that for six years now."

Cole played at NC State for four years from 2015 to 2018, totaling 9,288 punting yards on 220 attempts and averaging 42.2 yards per punt. He went undrafted in the 2018 NFL Draft and was prepared to move on with life outside of football.

"I actually had a job lined up with IBM starting September 1," Cole continued, per Schultz. "Even after the Raiders signed me, I kept it until the last minute — I literally called Rick at IBM a week before our first game and said, ‘We’re playing on Monday Night Football. I’m not coming.’ Probably the most interesting way IBM has ever been turned down. If I had gotten cut, I would’ve moved back to Raleigh and just started the job."

Cole's first year with the Raiders came in 2019, the team's final season in Oakland. He immediately earned the starting punter job and has held it ever since, spanning the last six seasons.

"Being the last Oakland Raider and the first Vegas punter means a lot to me," Cole said, per Schultz. "The history at this position in this organization is unlike anything else — and the fans really get it. I love the organization, I love the fans and I love Las Vegas. I told my agents: I want to be here for a long time. I want to play until I’m 40. I want to play forever.”

The 29-year-old finished last season, averaging a career-best 50.8 yards per punt, totaling 3,304 yards with eight touchbacks and 42 percent of his punts landing inside the 20-yard line.