• The NFL most thankless job, long snapping, offers unparalleled job security, with careers averaging 7.5 years.
• Long snappers like James Winchester and Morgan Cox deliver precision under pressure, often unnoticed unless they err.
• At an average age of 31, these veterans outlast most players, earning coaches’ trust with consistency.
• The 2025 season, including Madden’s new recognition, shines a light on this overlooked role.

The Hidden Heroes of the NFL

Growing up watching NFL games, I was all about the touchdowns and big plays, but I missed the guys making it all possible: long snappers, who hold the NFL’s most thankless job. 

Take James Winchester, who snapped the ball for the Kansas City Chiefs’ 2023 Super Bowl-winning field goal. Before that, he was an oil and gas landman in Oklahoma, cut by the Eagles in 2013. 

During lunch breaks, he’d practice snaps at a local high school, dreaming of another NFL shot. “There’s only 32 of us,” he told NBC News. “It’s a tough role to land.”

The NFL’s most thankless job comes with a perk: job security. While the average NFL career fizzles out in under four years, long snappers average 7.5 years and are the oldest position group at 31, per 2025 roster data.

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 Their role—delivering perfect snaps to kickers and punters—demands reliability, not fame, and coaches stick with a trusted snapper like a reliable old playbook.

Why Long Snappers Last

The NFL’s most thankless job doesn’t involve stats or spotlight. “We don’t have numbers to track,” Winchester said. “If you’re consistent, why switch?” Baltimore’s Nick Moore, 33, jokes, “We’re like fine wine—better with age.” A single bad snap, like Camaron Cheeseman’s costly misses that led to his 2024 exit from Washington, can end a career, but precision keeps veterans like Tennessee’s Morgan Cox, 39, in his 16th year.

Physically, the job favors longevity. Unlike college, where snappers are shielded, the NFL throws 300-pound linemen at them. “You’ve got defensive ends and linebackers running stunts,” said Chargers snapper Josh Harris, 36, in his 14th season. “You snap, block, and hold your ground.” It’s tough but less grueling than a running back’s workload, letting snappers thrive into their 30s.

Mastering the Snap

Long snapping is like sinking free throws—repetition is everything. Commanders snapper Tyler Ott describes it as instinct: “You feel the distance, tweak the spin.” The goal is a tight spiral, laces out, for the holder to set perfectly. Ace Ventura’s “laces out” line? It’s real. 

Chargers kicker Cameron Dicker raves about Harris: “He nails the laces every time.” A botched snap can tank a game, as Commanders punter Tress Way notes: “The NFL’s most thankless job only gets noticed when it goes wrong.” Winchester’s advice? “Let a bad snap go—focus on the next.”

Bonds That Win Games

Long snappers, kickers, and punters are a tight crew, practicing apart from the team. “It’s like clocking into an office with your best friends,” says Dicker, 25, who sees Harris, 36, as a “big brother.” 

Thousands of reps build trust, like Winchester’s perfect snap to Harrison Butker for the 2023 Super Bowl winner, seen by 115 million viewers (Nielsen, 2023). That clutch moment shows why coaches value the NFL’s most thankless job.

Getting Their Due

Long snappers have been overlooked forever—even Madden ignored the position until 2025. Cox, listed as a tight end for 15 years, laughed about his 28 overall rating: “Kids said I was the worst in the game, but I’m in it!” 

The new recognition is a nod to their grind, even if fans don’t know names like Cox, JJ Jansen, or Jon Weeks among the NFL’s longest-tenured players.

The Quiet Strength of Long Snappers

The NFL most thankless job is also its steadiest. Long snappers like Winchester and Cox don’t need the spotlight—they need precision, grit, and trust. From Super Bowl heroics to Madden’s nod in 2025, their work keeps games on track. 

As a fan, I’m rooting for these unsung veterans who make the big moments possible. Here’s to the guys who snap, block, and stick around longer than anyone else.

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Aliha

Hi, I’m Aliha! I’ve been a huge NFL fan for as long as I can remember, and I love sharing my thoughts, updates, and insights about the game. Whether it’s big plays, team news, or behind-the-scenes stories, writing about the NFL gives me a chance to connect with fellow fans who share the same passion for football.