2026 NFL Special Teams Coaches

Posted on February 16, 2026 by longsnap

As usual, the end of the NFL season bringing many coaching changes and the special teams coaching position is a frequent source of turnover. A total of 11 new special teams coaches are in place for this coming NFL season.

Below is the list of each NFL team and their special teams coach for the 2026 season and the year in which they started with that team.

Arizona CardinalsMichael Ghobrial (2026)
Atlanta FalconsCraig Aukerman (2026)
Baltimore RavensAnthony Levine (2026)
Buffalo BillsJeff Rodgers (2026)
Carolina PanthersTracy Smith (2024)
Chicago BearsRichard Hightower (2022)
Cincinnati BengalsDarrin Simmons (2003)
Cleveland BrownsByron Storer (2026)
Dallas CowboysNick Sorenson (2025)
Denver BroncosDarren Rizzi (2025)
Detroit LionsDave Fipp (2021)
Green Bay PackersRich Bisaccia (2022)
Houston TexansFrank Ross (2021)
Indianapolis ColtsBrian Mason (2023)
Jacksonville JaguarsHeath Farwell (2022)
Kansas City ChiefsDave Toub (2013)
Las Vegas RaidersJoe DeCamillas (2026)
Los Angeles ChargersRyan Ficken (2022)
Los Angeles RamsRay Ventrone (2026)
Miami DolphinsChris Tabor (2026)
Minnesota VikingsMatt Daniels (2022)
New England PatriotsJeremy Springer (2024)
New Orleans SaintsPhil Galiano (2025)
New York GiantsChris Horton (2026)
New York JetsChris Banjo (2025)
Philadelphia EaglesMichael Clay (2021)
Pittsburgh SteelersDanny Crossman (2026)
San Francisco 49ersBrant Boyer (2025)
Seattle SeahawksJay Harbaugh (2024)
Tampa Bay BuccaneersDanny Smith (2026)
Tennessee TitansJohn Fassel (2025)
Washington CommandersLarry Izzo (2024)
Posted in Coaching, NFL | Comments Off on 2026 NFL Special Teams Coaches

Stoll and Seahawks Win Super Bowl

Posted on February 10, 2026 by longsnap

Former Patrick Mannelly Award Winner Chris Stoll became a Super Bowl champion on Sunday. Stoll, who won the Mannelly in 2022, is in his third season with Seattle. Julian Ashby, who snapped for the Patriots, became the first rookie snapper to appear in the Super Bowl.

In other snapping news, the lone vacancy in the UFL has been filled as Ryan Langan, a 2020 Mannelly finalist, will snap for Birmingham.

This year’s Mannelly winner Beau Gardner (Georgia), joins finalist Tyler Duzansky (Penn State) as two of the snappers invited to the NFL Scouting Combine Specialist Showcase. Former Mannelly winner Rocco Underwood (Florida), John Ferlmann (Ohio State), Luke Basso (Oregon), Garrison Grimes (BYU) and Philip Florenzo (Clemson) are the other invited snappers.

Posted in Coaching, NFL, NFL Draft, Patrick Mannelly Award, Tackles, Transactions, UFL | Comments Off on Stoll and Seahawks Win Super Bowl

NFL and UFL Snapping Updates

Posted on January 20, 2026 by longsnap

With the Conference Championship games this Sunday, now is the perfect time to catch up on lots of long snapping news over the last few weeks at the NFL and XFL levels.

Below are some all-pro honors, signings for next season, potential free agent snappers and tackles in the playoff games in the NFL and a look at the snappers drafted or signed in the UFL.

ALL-PROS: Rex Sunahara (Browns) and Hogan Hatten (Lions) were PFF All-Pro snappers, while Brett Matiscik (Jaguars) and Andrew DePaola (Vikings) were the AP All-Pro team snappers.

RESERVE/FUTURE DEALS: Peter Bowden (Chargers), Cal Adomitis (Steelers), Luke Elkin (Bears) and Alex Ward (Raiders).

POTENTIAL FREE AGENTS:

Exclusive: Evan Deckers (Buccaneers) and Rex Sunahara (Browns)

Restricted: Chris Stoll (Seahawks)

Unrestricted: Jacob Bobenmoyer (Raiders), Aaron Brewer (Cardinals), Joe Cardona (Dolphins), Morgan Cox (Titans), Scott Daly (Bears), Andrew DePaola (Vikings), Josh Harris (Chargers), JJ Jansen (Panthers), Casey Kreiter (Giants), Jake McQuaide (Rams), Jon Weeks (Niners) and James Winchester (Chiefs).

TACKLES:

Wild Card: Matt Orzech (GB) (1,0); Austin Brinkman (HOU) (1,0)

Divisional: Austin Brinkman (HOU) (1,0); Jake McQuaide (LAR) (0,1)

UFL:

Birmingham: None

Columbus: Payton Bunch

Dallas: Antonio Ortiz

DC: Trae Barry

Houston: Marco Ortiz

Louisville: Jordan Silver

Orlando: Alex Matheson

St. Louis: Matt Hembrough

Posted in Coaching, NFL, Tackles, Transactions, UFL | Comments Off on NFL and UFL Snapping Updates

2026 College All-Star Game Long Snappers

Posted on January 6, 2026 by longsnap

The top long snapping prospects for the 2026 NFL Draft are typically selected to participate in college all-star games. The games begin this week and continue until the end of the month

Below are the snappers for the top all-star games:

SENIOR BOWL

Luke Basso (Oregon) and Beau Gardner (Georgia)

EAST-WEST SHRINE BOWL

Tyler Duzansky (Penn State) and Garrison Grimes (BYU)

AMERICAN BOWL

John Ferlmann (Ohio State) and Rocco Underwood (Florida)

HULA BOWL

Isiah Hayse (Temple) and Ben Mann (Boston College)

DREAM BOWL

Byron Floyd (Youngstown State) and Gavin Irons (Saint Francis)

Posted in College, NFL, NFL Draft | Comments Off on 2026 College All-Star Game Long Snappers

Week Eighteen in Review

Posted on January 6, 2026 by longsnap

An exciting NFL regular season is now complete. It was generally a steady one for snappers, as only the Chargers, Rams, Eagles and Commanders used a second snapper during the season and largely due to injuries. The Jaguars used an emergency snapper when Ross Matiscik was injured mid-game.

The off-season will bring changes, as at least six teams will be looking for a new head coach that will likely mean new special teams coaches too. Half of the snappers currently under contract will be in some form of free agency starting in March. One potential free agent, Nick Moore of the Ravens, signed a new four-year deal to remain in Baltimore.

Over the next few weeks, I will post more information about the pending free agent snappers, coaching changes and a look at the top NFL Draft prospect snappers for next season in college all-star games.

Three snappers recorded tackles in punt coverage with Jon Weeks (Niners) recording a solo tackle and Julian Ashby (Patriots) and Hogan Hatten (Lions) adding assisted tackles.

Rex Sunahara of the Browns is the leading tackler among all long snappers this season, recording seven total tackles, three of which were solo stops. The next highest were three snappers with four total tackles.

The Final NFL Long Snappers Chart for the 2025 season is below.

2025 FinalDownload
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Week Seventeen in Review

Posted on December 30, 2025 by longsnap

Just one week remains in the NFL regular season. Week Seventeen was a quiet one for snappers. The Raiders added rookie Luke Elkin to the practice squad and the Eagles waived veteran Charley Hughlett yesterday, likely for the sole purpose of creating some roster space and he will be snapping next week for Philadelphia.

Two snappers recorded tackles in punt coverage with Hughlett adding a solo tackle and Joe Cardona (Dolphins) adding an assisted tackle.

The NFL Long Snappers Chart after Week Seventeen is below.

2025 Week SeventeenDownload
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Week Sixteen in Review

Posted on December 23, 2025 by longsnap

Week Sixteen of the NFL season was an active one for snappers and even the coaching position.

Cal Adomitis, recently waived by the Eagles, visited the Cardinals and was signed to the Steelers practice squad following that visit after Christian Kuntz was limited in practice. However, Kuntz was able to snap for Pittsburgh on Sunday.

Former Rams long snapper Alex Ward had a try out with the Jets, but not signed.

There was another rare, in-season special teams coaching change this week, as the Rams fired Chase Blackburn. Assistant Ben Kotwica, who has 17 years of NFL experience with six teams, takes over. The Raiders also changed special teams coaches last month.

Pro Bowl fan voting has ended and the leader in the NFC was Andrew DePaola (Vikings) and for the AFC it was Josh Harris (Chargers). DePaola, Scott Daly (Bears) and Aaron Brewer (Cardinals) finished top three in fan voting among snappers.

Six snappers recorded tackles in punt coverage. Three had solo tackles including Julian Ashby (Patriots), Evan Deckers (Buccaneers) and Kuntz (Steelers). James Winchester (Chiefs), Austin Brinkman (Texans) and Luke Rhodes (Colts) had assisted tackles.

The NFL Long Snappers Chart after Week Sixteen is below.

2025 Week SixteenDownload
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Week Fifteen in Review

Posted on December 16, 2025 by longsnap

Week Fifteen of the NFL season is complete and was a generally uneventful one for snappers.

Eagles snapper Charley Hughlett returned from injured reserve and replacement Cal Adomitis was waived.

Pro Bowl fan voting ended last night. Prior to the closing of fan voting, the latest tally had the top three long snappers as Andrew DePaola (Vikings), Matt Orzech (Packers) and Trent Sieg (Cowboys).

Snappers Rex Sunahara (Browns) and Joe Cardona (Dolphins) each added a solo tackle in punt coverage this week.

The NFL Long Snappers Chart after Week Fifteen is below.

2025 Week FifteenDownload
Posted in NFL, Tackles | Comments Off on Week Fifteen in Review

Week Fourteen in Review

Posted on December 9, 2025 by longsnap

Week Fourteen most notable play involving a long snapper was another controversial contact call. A Ravens player was called for an unnecessary roughness penalty for running into Steelers snapper Christian Kuntz on a successful field goal attempt. The Steelers took the points off the board and they subsequently scored a touchdown.

The extent of contact with the snapper has often led to some disputed penalties. This call was controversial since there appeared to be no forcible contact with Kuntz’s head or neck area, he was not struck with a helmet and the player did not launch at him.

Pro Bowl fan voting continues and according to the latest results, the top three long snappers in voting are Andrew DePaola (Vikings), Matt Orzech (Packers) and Scott Daly (Bears).

Three tackles had tackles in punt coverage this week, with Rex Sunahara (Browns) recording a solo tackle and Thomas Hennessy (Jets) and Aaron Brewer (Cardinals) adding assisted tackles.

The NFL Long Snappers Chart after Week Fourteen is below.

2025 Week FourteenDownload
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Week Thirteen in Review

Posted on December 2, 2025 by longsnap

Week Thirteen was a mixed one for Jaguars long snapper Ross Matiscik. Matiscik was injured in the first half after making a tackle, forcing the Jaguars to use defensive lineman DaVon Hamilton as its emergency snapper on two short snaps and three punts. Matiscik was able to return in the second half and finished with two tackles.

Zach Triner was a late replacement for an injured Tyler Ott for Washington in Sunday Night Football.

Pro Bowl fan voting has started and the top three long snappers in voting are Matt Orzech (Packers), Trent Sieg (Cowboys) and Scott Daly (Bears).

On the tackle front, Matiscik finished with a solo tackle and an assisted tackle, while client Liam McCullough (Falcons) recorded an assisted tackle

The NFL Long Snappers Chart after Week Thirteen is below.

2025 Week ThirteenDownload
Posted in NFL, Tackles, Transactions | Comments Off on Week Thirteen in Review