Luke Rhodes

Current Contract

Contract Value Index (CVI)

The Colts locked up Luke Rhodes with what amounts to a textbook steal for a specialized position, earning an A- CVI that reflects exceptional value at the long snapper spot. At $1.6M annually over four years, Indianapolis secured a rotational-level performer at well below market rate for reliable long snappers, who typically command $2-3M per year when they hit free agency. The $2.5M in guaranteed money provides Rhodes with solid security while giving the Colts cost certainty at a position where continuity is paramount – botched snaps can single-handedly swing games, making dependable specialists worth their weight in gold. The four-year term is particularly shrewd, as it locks Rhodes through his prime years and avoids the premium teams usually pay for proven snappers on shorter deals. This contract represents exactly the type of under-the-radar move that championship teams make, securing a reliable contributor at excellent value while freeing up cap space for more expensive positions.

Performance Analysis

Luke Rhodes has carved out a nine-year NFL career as one of the more durable long snappers in the league, an undrafted specialist who has turned reliability into a professional identity over 116 career games with the Indianapolis Colts. At a position where consistency is the only currency that matters, Rhodes has been a steady presence on special teams, quietly anchoring the operation that makes field goals, extra points, and punts possible — the invisible infrastructure of every scoring drive and defensive stand. His 18 career tackles reflect a snapper who doesn't simply disappear after the ball leaves his hands, showing awareness and effort in coverage that coaches value even if it rarely shows up in a highlight reel. That said, his current performance grade sits at a D+, a signal that at 33 years old and entering the back half of his career, Rhodes may be showing the wear that eventually catches every specialist — whether in snap consistency, athleticism in coverage, or simply the creeping margin for error that defines elite long-snapping. The 116 games played represent strong veteran longevity, firmly in the range of a proven commodity, though he has not yet reached the elite durability threshold that would cement his legacy among the position's all-time iron men. For Indianapolis, the calculus becomes a familiar one: how long do you ride a known quantity before exploring an upgrade? Rhodes' ability to maintain his mechanics and prove his grade is an aberration rather than a trend will define whether he closes out his career in blue and white or cedes the role to the next undrafted specialist waiting for his shot.

Current Sentiment

Luke Rhodes enters the 2026 season as one of the most respected long snappers in the NFL, buoyed by a contract that was reported as the richest ever signed at his position — a distinction that signals genuine organizational value beyond a typical special-teams role. His nomination for the 2025 NFL Salute to Service Award adds a meaningful off-field dimension to his public profile, generating warm coverage that resonates with both the fanbase and the broader league community. Rhodes has also drawn attention for his versatility, serving as the Colts' emergency holder — a nuanced responsibility that underscores the coaching staff's trust in his football IQ and composure under pressure. Fan perception of Rhodes is unusually positive for a long snapper, as his longevity, consistency, and community engagement have elevated him to a cult-favorite status within Indianapolis. While he will never command mainstream national headlines, Rhodes occupies a uniquely secure and celebrated niche, and his media footprint heading into 2026 reflects a player at the peak of his positional reputation.