Joe Cardona

Season	Team	GP	Grade
2025		17	D+ D+ Bottom 30%
2024		16	D+ D+ Bottom 30%
2023		17	D+ D+ Bottom 30%
2022		14	D- D- Bottom 12%
2021		17	D+ D+ Bottom 30%
2020		16	D+ D+ Bottom 30%
2019		16	D+ D+ Bottom 30%
2018		16	D+ D+ Bottom 30%
2017		16	D+ D+ Bottom 30%
2016		16	D+ D+ Bottom 30%
2015		16	D+ D+ Bottom 30%

Grades reflect the player's performance in each season. Header grade shows the current season.

Current Contract

Contract Value Index (CVI)

Performance versus salary tier earns Joe Cardona a C+ Contract Value Index, with cap structure shaping the verdict. The deal itself—$1.725M AAV over two years—positions Cardona as the highest-paid long snapper in the league, a distinction that has generated broadly positive media coverage rather than the typical skepticism reserved for specialist contracts. His 2025 season production of 5 tackles across 17 games reflects his specialist role, and the contract acknowledges both his reliability at age 34 and his track record as one of the most durable veterans in the position. At eleven seasons into his career, Cardona's market-setting deal is defensible because long snapper consistency directly impacts field goal and punting efficiency—areas where a single miscue can swing playoff outcomes—and the Rams' recent aggressive moves on the defensive line signal a broader commitment to roster excellence that extends to overlooked positions. The CVI grade accounts for the fact that while $1.725M AAV is elevated for the position, Cardona's championship pedigree and veteran reliability justify the investment as a calculated stabilizer rather than an overpay. With only two years committed, the Rams maintain flexibility while securing a proven specialist heading into the 2026 season, positioning this as one of the more universally praised specialist signings in recent memory.

Contracts in the Same Value Band

Other same-position deals the Contract Value Index also places in the C band — a quick read on where Joe's contract sits relative to comparable money.

Performance AnalysisNot Tracked

Performance grades for LSs are not available. ESPN does not track individual statistics for offensive linemen, punters, long snappers, or fullbacks. This player will remain ungraded unless they change positions.

Fan Sentiment

How the public sees Joe Cardona shakes out to a B sentiment grade in the rolling 14-day window. Media coverage has framed his two-year deal with the Rams as a shrewd, defensible investment that makes him the highest-paid long snapper in the league—a distinction that has generated broadly positive headlines rather than the typical skepticism reserved for specialist contracts. The narrative centers on Cardona's reliability and championship pedigree; at 11 seasons into his career, he's widely recognized as one of the most durable specialists in the game, and fans who pay attention to special teams understand the tangible impact a consistent long snapper delivers to field goal and punting efficiency. His 2025 season production—5 tackles across 17 games—reflects his role as a specialist, and the sentiment remains favorable because the Rams' recent aggressive moves on the defensive line (acquiring Myles Garrett, signing defensive tackles and edge rushers) signal a broader commitment to roster excellence that extends to overlooked positions like long snapper. The consensus reading is straightforward: this is one of the more universally praised specialist signings in recent memory, driven by Cardona's track record as a steady veteran who can deliver in high-pressure situations rather than any concern about overpayment. Heading into the 2026 season, Cardona's visibility has elevated well beyond typical long snapper conversation, positioning him as a respected, market-setting acquisition rather than a gamble.