This is an NFL season unlike any other due to the global pandemic. COVID impacted the NFL Draft immediately and, for snappers, limited the opportunities for rookies and younger players. One snapper was drafted and just a few others signed as undrafted free agents. The absence of mini-camp tryouts also hurt snappers looking to gain critical exposure and experience.

Because COVID has impacted the snapping position, four teams have kept a snapper on the practice squad, including Carson Tinker who is on the Giants practice squad after last snapping in an NFL game in October, 2018. New tryout rules will require six days of testing before a player workout, making it even harder to replace an injured or sick snapper.

All of this means that veteran unemployed snappers are benefitting from these unique circumstances. Among the snappers who have gotten multiple workouts since the season started are Andrew DePaola (last NFL game Week 1, 2018), Colin Holba (last NFL game Week 17 2019), Garrison Sanborn (last NFL game Week 7, 2019) and Matt Overton (last NFL game Week 17, 2018).

While NFL teams like to develop younger snappers when they can, this year may not be the best year to do that. Thus, it is likely that any future openings will find NFL teams giving the more experienced snappers the first chance to fill it.