Rams finally sign final special teams player fans have spent months begging for

The Los Angeles Rams have been a bit busy of late. If you hadn't been following, general manager Les Snead pulled off a major coup by reuniting former Kansas City Chiefs cornerback Jaylen Watson with his All-Pro teammate, cornerback Trent McDuffie. But even as the team's secondary upgraded, special teams remained a mystery.

General manager Les Snead extended kicker Harrison Mevis. And punter Ethan Evans remained in good standing with the team. But the emergency signing of long snapper Jake McQuaide to steady the special teams play last season was merely a bridge until the team could find a more permanent solution.

Snead just found one.

Long-time New England Patriots long snapper Joe Cardona spent one season with the Miami Dolphins in 2025. Now the nearly 34-year-old will stay in the Sun Belt, but pack his belongings for the West Coast. Snead and company have reached an agreement on a two-year contract with the veteran long snapper.

And just like that, LA's biggest concerns have been addressed significantly.

Joe Cardona is the missing link to Rams special teams recovery

Special teams were especially painful for LA and its fans in 2025. From missed blocking assignments to blown coverages, Los Angeles could arguably attribute multiple losses last season to miscues on special teams. Harrison Mevis steadied field goal kicking.

But missed blocking assignments were a much greater concern that required a more direct solution. In signing Cardona, Snead has installed a veteran of 11 seasons into the hub of the team's blocking. He's seen it all and has managed to successfully call out effective blocking assignments.

Coaching can only take the team so far. At some point, the players have to execute their roles.

The 6-foot-2, 241-pound long snapper can certainly do that. He's been a fixture with the New England Patriots since 2015. He only played one season for the Miami Dolphins. But he is a competent snapper, blocker, and special teams tackler. He racked up five tackles in coverage in 2025 alone.

Last year, the combination of Jake McQuaide and Alex Ward only generated one tackle. So that's an immediate upgrade.

Rams fans have been begging for a permanent fix to special teams. With the addition of Cardona, that fix may now be in place.

As always, thanks for reading.