The Los Angeles Rams have reportedly added Joe Cardona on a two-year deal as their presumed long snapper. On a day with so many free agency acquisitions a long snapper deal may fly under the radar, but for the Rams who’ve had an inconsistent special teams for some time, it’s another move that says they are going for it all in 2026.
It’s expected Cardona will like be taking over for Jake McQuaide.
McQuaide was originally drafted by the then St. Louis Rams in 2011, and moved with the Rams through 2020 before jumping around a few teams. He rejoined L.A. late in 2025 before assuming their long snapping position as they made their run to the NFC Championship game.
The reason(s) for the move to Cardona is either McQuaide’s calling it a career, L.A. thinks Cardona is the better long snapper at this point and or Cardona better fits new special teams coordinator Bubba Ventrone’s scheme.
Whatever the reason, Cardona appears to be the direction the Rams are going in and he brings a lot of experience.
Cardona played his collegiate years with Navy before being drafted by the New England Patriots in 2015, where he won two Super Bowls (including one against the L.A. Rams) until finally moving on to the Miami Dolphins in 2025. Now, he joins the Rams as he enters what is likely the latter stages of his NFL career.
It should be worth looking into what the final details on the agreement are between Cardona and the Rams, but either way, L.A. continues to make moves in a very active free agency period.
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