Behren Morton makes headlines with Patriots punt
Behren Morton entered the 2026 NFL season as a rookie quarterback, but he unexpectedly showed another skill during the New England Patriots’ preseason game against the Philadelphia Eagles.
On Saturday, August 22, Morton was used as an emergency punter after Patriots punter Bryce Baringer was not feeling well. Morton responded with three punts for 133 yards, averaging 44.3 yards per punt. His longest punt traveled 48 yards.
The unusual role quickly became one of the biggest talking points surrounding the Patriots’ 24-21 preseason victory.
Morton’s punting experience was not completely new. The Patriots noted that he had punted in high school, although he had not regularly handled the job since then.
Behren Morton punt stats
Morton’s emergency punting performance against Philadelphia was impressive considering he entered the game as a quarterback.
His numbers were:
- Punts: 3
- Punt yards: 133
- Average: 44.3 yards
- Longest punt: 48 yards
Morton also explained after the game that he had not expected to punt. According to the Patriots, he was told to prepare if another punt opportunity came up. He then warmed up near the kicking net before taking the field.
The performance gave Morton an unusual distinction: he threw the game-winning touchdown and also contributed as a punter in the same preseason game.
Behren Morton stats vs. Eagles
Morton entered at quarterback in the second half and delivered another strong performance.
He completed 13 of 17 passes for 129 yards, with one touchdown. His most important throw came late in the fourth quarter when he connected with rookie wide receiver Nick DeGennaro on a 37-yard touchdown pass.
The touchdown completed an 11-play, 73-yard drive and gave New England a 24-21 lead with 57 seconds remaining. The Patriots held on for the victory.
That performance strengthened Morton’s case as he competes for a place on the Patriots’ roster.
Behren Morton NFL Draft
The New England Patriots selected Behren Morton in the seventh round of the 2026 NFL Draft with the 234th overall pick.
New England acquired the selection from the Minnesota Vikings and used it on the Texas Tech quarterback.
Morton was one of the later quarterbacks selected in the draft, meaning he entered the NFL with plenty to prove. However, his college production and recent preseason performances have given the Patriots reason to continue evaluating his potential.
The Patriots officially list Morton as a quarterback and No. 15 on their roster.
Behren Morton and the Patriots
Morton’s primary position with New England is quarterback, not punter.
He joined a Patriots quarterback room led by Drake Maye, with competition for the backup and depth positions. Earlier in training camp, Morton was viewed as being toward the bottom of the quarterback competition, making his preseason opportunities particularly important.
His performance against Philadelphia was therefore significant.
Morton demonstrated that he could operate the offense effectively and handle pressure late in a game. His ability to contribute as an emergency punter was an unexpected bonus.
While one preseason game does not determine a roster spot, his 13-for-17 passing performance and game-winning touchdown gave him a memorable night.
Behren Morton Texas Tech stats
Before joining the Patriots, Morton spent his college career with the Texas Tech Red Raiders.
His college career statistics were impressive. He finished with 793 completions on 1,263 attempts, a 62.8% completion rate, 8,989 passing yards and 71 touchdown passes, according to Sports-Reference.
His yearly passing numbers included:
| Season | Games | Passing yards | TDs | INTs | Completion |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2022 | 9 | 1,117 | 7 | 6 | 56.8% |
| 2023 | 10 | 1,757 | 15 | 8 | 62.1% |
| 2024 | 12 | 3,335 | 27 | 8 | 63.3% |
| 2025 | 12 | 2,780 | 22 | 6 | 66.0% |
In 2025, Morton completed 219 of 332 passes for 2,780 yards, 22 touchdowns and six interceptions. He finished the season with a 66.0% completion rate.
Morton’s Texas Tech career
Morton became an important part of Texas Tech’s program during his college career.
The Patriots’ official biography notes that he helped Texas Tech win its first Big 12 Conference title and reach the College Football Playoff. He also moved into fourth place in several major Texas Tech career passing categories.
His final college season was particularly notable because he played through a hairline fracture in his right fibula during the second half of the season.
Despite the injury, Morton continued to contribute as Texas Tech pursued a historic season.
Behren Morton age and background
Behren Morton was born on January 17, 2002, in Lubbock, Texas. He is 24 years old as of August 2026.
He attended Eastland High School in Texas before playing college football at Texas Tech.
The Patriots list him at 6-foot-2 and 218 pounds, while other NFL databases list slightly different measurements.
Morton comes from a football family. His father, James Morton, played running back at West Texas A&M and was later signed by the Tampa Bay Buccaneers.
Is Behren Morton married?
There is no reliable public information indicating that Behren Morton is married.
However, Morton has been publicly linked to Kate Leibel, a former Texas Tech soccer player.
A January 2026 relationship timeline reported that Morton and Leibel began dating in 2023 and had been together for more than two years. The couple were publicly seen supporting each other during Morton’s Texas Tech career.
Therefore, searches for “Behren Morton wife” can be misleading. The publicly reported relationship information identifies Leibel as his girlfriend rather than his wife.
Who is Kate Leibel?
Kate Leibel played soccer at Texas Tech and was publicly associated with Morton during his college career.
According to the reported relationship timeline, the pair began dating in June 2023. Leibel later shared anniversary and game-day posts involving Morton, including photos in which she wore his Texas Tech jersey.
There is no credible evidence in the sources reviewed that Morton and Leibel are married.
What is next for Behren Morton?
Morton’s immediate goal is to secure his place on the Patriots’ roster.
His preseason performance against Philadelphia gave him valuable momentum. He showed accuracy as a passer, delivered a game-winning touchdown and proved capable of filling an emergency role on special teams.
The Patriots will continue evaluating their quarterback room as the regular season approaches. For a seventh-round pick, every preseason snap matters.
Frequently asked questions
What round was Behren Morton drafted?
The New England Patriots drafted Behren Morton in the seventh round of the 2026 NFL Draft with the 234th overall selection.
What were Behren Morton’s stats against the Eagles?
Morton completed 13 of 17 passes for 129 yards and threw a 37-yard game-winning touchdown against Philadelphia.
How many punts did Behren Morton have?
Morton recorded three punts for 133 yards against the Eagles, averaging 44.3 yards per punt. His longest punt was 48 yards.
Did Behren Morton punt in college?
Morton’s recent emergency punting role was not entirely new because he had punted in high school. However, he was primarily a quarterback at Texas Tech.
Who did Behren Morton play for in college?
Morton played college football for the Texas Tech Red Raiders.
Does Behren Morton have a wife?
There is no reliable public information showing that Morton is married. He has been publicly linked to Kate Leibel, who was a Texas Tech soccer player.
Final thoughts
Behren Morton has already produced one of the more unusual preseason stories of 2026. The Patriots rookie quarterback not only led a late comeback against the Eagles but also stepped in as an emergency punter.
His college résumé at Texas Tech explains why New England selected him in the seventh round. With 8,989 career passing yards and 71 touchdown passes, Morton enters the NFL with significant college experience.
Now, his challenge is to turn that experience into a long-term NFL opportunity with the Patriots.
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