The Minnesota Vikings have reached a contract extension with long snapper Andrew DePaola according to Adam Schefter of ESPN. The deal is reportedly for three years and worth $4.025 million. DePaola has been a reliable special teams player for the Vikings since joining the team in 2019. He has appeared in 31 games for the Vikings and has yet to have a bad snap.
Vikings and All-Pro long snapper Andrew DePaola reached agreement on a three-year, $4.025 million deal that includes $2.265 million guaranteed, the largest guarantee given to a long snapper, per his agent @seanstellato.
— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) March 14, 2023
Long snappers are often overlooked, but they play a critical role in every special teams play. Any mistake by the long snapper can lead to a blocked kick or a turnover, which can prove to be very costly for a team in tight games.
By locking up DePaola for another three years, the Vikings are ensuring that they have a consistent and reliable long snapper for the foreseeable future. This move may seem small, but it could pay big dividends for the team in the long run.
