Thomas Hennessy

Current Contract

Contract Value Index (CVI)

Thomas Hennessy delivered the kind of production that earns a C+ Contract Value Index relative to the LS pay band. At 32 years old with nine seasons under his belt, Hennessy represents the established veteran archetype—a long snapper who has logged 17 games in the 2025 season and accumulated a D+ performance grade, which for a specialist position reflects the invisible competence (and occasional lapses) baked into the role. His $1.49M AAV on a four-year deal sits squarely in the middle tier for long snappers, positioning him as a reasonable cost-control contract that neither represents savings nor excess. The real issue isn't the money—it's the uncertainty. The Jets' reported signing of a highly touted young long snapper signals direct competition for his roster spot, transforming what should be a secure, low-drama role into an active battle for survival heading into 2026. Institutional goodwill—evidenced by his All-Quarter Century Team nod and a behind-the-scenes feature—keeps him from becoming a sunk-cost casualty, but the dominant narrative, as reflected in his F sentiment grade, is transition rather than retention. In the context of a 3-14 Jets roster in evaluation mode, Hennessy's four-year term carries genuine risk; teams in turnaround phases rarely coddle veteran specialists when youth at the position offers upside.

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 Thomas'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.

Current Sentiment

The talk around Thomas Hennessy this stretch nets a F sentiment grade. His narrative is almost entirely defined by institutional uncertainty—the Jets have credibly signaled they're preparing to move on from their longest-tenured player by signing a touted young long snapper described as the most athletic at the position in NFL history, a direct competitive challenge that casts Hennessy's roster spot into genuine jeopardy heading into 2026. What's striking is the contrast between his on-field reality and public perception: while his performance grade sits at D+, the sentiment around him actually outpaces that evaluation, reflecting the unique calculus of the long snapper position, where nine seasons of clean, invisible competence carries genuine weight. The Jets' recent flurry of roster activity—cutting kicker Younghoe Koo and linebacker Kobe King, signing Jason Sanders and Da'Quan Felton—underscores an organization in transition mode, yet none of that noise directly touches Hennessy, a sign of how peripheral he remains to the headline narrative despite his precarious position. His inclusion on the Jets' All-Quarter Century Team and the organization's "Behind the Process" feature offer pockets of institutional goodwill that prevent the sentiment from fully bottoming out, but the dominant storyline is unmistakable: a steady specialist fighting for professional survival rather than one with a secure role, making his F grade a reflection not of disgrace but of existential uncertainty in an industry where replacement is always one draft pick away.