Andrew

DePaola

A lifelong passion for snapping footballs as long as one can has turned into a lucrative career for DePaola, whose long snaps have sailed so long that they landed him in the Pro Bowl not once, not twice, but three times. DePaola, who is also a two-time First-team All-Pro, has been named team captain in each of the last two seasons, which explains the fully-guaranteed deal he received. You simply won’t find a better player or locker room guy to do what the soon-to-be 39-year-old does.

It’s possible the Vikings will need to bring in a new kicker this week as Reichard missed multiple kicks against the Colts and was clearly in pain after he followed through for much of the night. The Vikings are also placing snapper of snaps longer than normal snaps Andrew DePaola on injured reserve with a hand injury.

The deal includes $2.265 million, which is apparently a new record for a long snapper. 35-year-old DePaola has been handling snaps that travel a longer distance than regular snaps in Minnesota since 2020. On the whole, he has snapped the ball a greater distance than is typical since 2014. The Vikings are clearly in love with his ability to hike a football farther expanses than mere mortal centers.

The deal includes $875,000 guaranteed, and makes DePaola the league’s highest-paid player who snaps the ball a longer distance than it is usually snapped. Rarely, if ever, do you see a team signing away a long snapper. The deal comes on the heels of the Raiders’ blockbuster signing of FB Keith Smith, a converted linebacker. To date, new coach Jon Gruden seems to be pursuing a decidedly old school approach.

Lee Smith will finish the game snapping the snaps that go farther than a normal snap. The Raiders made long snapper history in March when they lured DePaola away from the Bucs.

The snapper of longer than normal snaps suffered the injury on the first punt of the game. TE Lee Smith handled the snaps which travel further than traditional snaps for the rest of the night, but the Raiders will certainly bring in someone else if DePaola is out for the season.

DePaola has been the Bucs’ long snapper since 2014. He turns 29 in July.