Jets special teams coordinator Chris Banjo says Austin McNamara is built for punt-return “fury” after adding weight

The New York Jets’ special teams unit is leaning into a familiar goal this preseason: maximize the few seconds between the punt leaving the punter’s foot and the return developing into a live play. In that framework, coordinator Chris Banjo described punt returns as containing a short, intense window, saying there is “six seconds of fury” in the return, and that Austin McNamara is being asked to make those seconds count with more pop at the start of the action.

Jets punter Austin McNamara has been part of that emphasis after adding weight in the offseason. Banjo’s comments portray the adjustment as more than just lifting for the sake of strength, describing McNamara’s current feel as “explosive.” The coordinator’s message is that the extra weight should translate into quicker acceleration and better body control when the ball is descending and lanes are opening and closing.

Banjo also used a vivid image to set the tone for what he wants to happen on every return opportunity. He said, “It looks Like Some of These Balls are Falling from the Moon,” a remark that points to the difficult timing of punt returns and the need for the returner to be ready to react instantly to trajectory, bounce, and the coverage team’s approach.

Within that challenge, McNamara’s job is uniquely demanding. As the punter, he is not only asked to deliver punts that pin and set up field position, but he also must be prepared to handle punt-return duties when called upon. Banjo’s framing suggests the Jets view the “front end” of a return as the most important phase, because hesitation can turn a potential opportunity into a tackle in space or a dead return.

The offseason weight addition fits that philosophy. Banjo’s characterization of McNamara as “hardly makes the start of those six seconds easy” reads as an indication that the return process is being treated like a repeatable skill, not a matter of luck. By building the body needed to match the demands of quick reactions, the Jets are trying to keep the ball from being merely fielded and instead turn it into momentum.

From a team-building standpoint, special teams can become a swing factor in games decided by small margins, including field position battles and the occasional shift created by a well-timed return. The Jets’ emphasis on McNamara’s “explosive” play during the return window indicates that they want their special teams to create more than just defensive stops, even if punt returns are less frequent than kickoff returns.