Matt Haack

Matt Haack's Biography

Matthew Scott Haack was born on July 25, 1994, and since a young age has had a passion that would determine his future – football. Today, he is known for being a first-rate punter in the National Football League (NFL), currently playing for the New York Giants. His journey spans across various teams, states, and stages of his life, from his high school days in Iowa to his college years at Arizona State, and then professionally in the NFL with the Miami Dolphins, Buffalo Bills, Indianapolis Colts, and currently, the New York Giants.

Haack’s talent was discernable right from his school days at Dowling Catholic High School, where he graduated in 2013. He was rated as the No. 15 kicker in the nation and the state of Iowa’s No. 10 overall prospect by Rivals.com. His exemplary high school career was further commemorated by his induction into the Dowling Catholic High School/St. Joseph Academy Athletic Hall of Fame on September 14, 2018.

After high school, Haack attended Arizona State University, where his prowess for football continued to shine from 2013 to 2016. In his freshman 2013 season, he was one of four punters and ended up punting 16 times for 612 net yards, clocking an average of 38.3 yards. He took over as the primary punter in the 2014 season, achieving a 43.3 average with 53 punts for 2,296 net yards. He improved his average to 43.1 in 2015 and 44.4 in 2016, culminating his college football career.

Matthew Scott Haack professional journey started when he was signed as an undrafted free agent by the Miami Dolphins to a three-year, $1.67 million contract on May 5, 2017. As a rookie, he beat out incumbent punter Matt Darr for the Dolphins’ starting punter job.

In his debut season, Haack gained significant recognition for his abilities. On September 17, 2017, he made his NFL debut against the Los Angeles Chargers where his average was a solid 43.33 yards on three punts totaling 130 yards. The season ended with him earning commendable stats of 83 punts for 3,695 net yards and a 44.52 average.

As the 2018 season progressed, so did Haack’s achievements. He was named the American Football Conference Special Teams Player of the Week in Week 9 following a stellar performance that saw him average 44.7 yards on nine punts. 2019 was a standout year when he completed a one-yard touchdown pass to kicker Jason Sanders – marking the NFL’s first touchdown pass to a kicker since 1977.

Haack’s tenure with the Dolphins ended in 2020 when he was signed to a one-year, $2.133 million contract. He had 68 punts amounting to an average of 44.7 that season.

In 2021, Haack signed on with the Buffalo Bills for three years. However, he spent just one season with the team, getting 52 punts for a 42.9 average before being released on August 22, 2022. He was quickly picked up by the Indianapolis Colts in August 2022, signing a one-year contract. Haack had 70 punts for a 44.8 average that season.

His football journey continued in 2023 with a short stint at the Arizona Cardinals before being waived in August that same year. He then spent a short period on the practice squads of the Cleveland Browns and Bills before being released and re-signed in March 2024.

As of October 12, 2024, Haack became a member of the New York Giants. He marked his 100th NFL appearance with his debut game for the Giants against the Cincinnati Bengals, and his journey with the team continues till today.

Matthew Haack’s story is one of dedication, perseverance, and constant growth. From high school to the NFL, his journey is a testament to his talent and determination to excel in the sport he loves. His career continues to be a narrative of talent and tenacity, and his contribution to American Football, monumental.