Zach Wood

Current Contract

Contract Value Index (CVI)

This A- CVI reflects a textbook example of how to lock up a specialist without breaking the bank. Wood's $1.6M AAV sits in the sweet spot for long snappers who've proven they can handle the job reliably — not quite elite money, but well above replacement-level compensation for a rotational player who fills a crucial niche role. The Saints smartly front-loaded the risk with $2.3M guaranteed on a four-year deal, giving them flexibility while securing a steady presence on special teams through 2027. Long snapper contracts rarely move the needle financially, but this structure shows New Orleans values continuity in the kicking game without overpaying for a position where consistency matters more than athleticism. Wood may not be a Pro Bowl caliber specialist, but this deal represents solid roster management — paying fair market rate for a rotational player who won't lose games with bad snaps, which is exactly what you want from the position.

Performance Analysis

Zach Wood is an undrafted nine-year veteran who has carved out a durable career as the New Orleans Saints' long snapper, appearing in 84 career games — a mark that firmly establishes him as a proven, reliable presence in what is one of football's most unforgiving specialist roles. At 33 years old, Wood represents the kind of quiet continuity that special teams coordinators prize, having weathered roster turnover, coaching changes, and the relentless competition that follows undrafted players throughout their careers. His 84 games played speak to a consistency that goes largely unnoticed in box scores but is felt immediately when it breaks down, as a single errant snap can swing the outcome of a close game. That said, Wood's current performance grades out at a D+, suggesting that while he has maintained his availability, the execution and precision that define elite long-snapping have shown signs of decline at this stage of his career. His 12 career tackles reflect at least a minimal willingness to contribute on coverage units after the snap, though that number is secondary to the technical demands of his core assignment. With his age and a below-average performance grade, Wood enters a pivotal stretch where the Saints will need to evaluate whether his experience and familiarity with their system outweigh the upside of pursuing a younger option. Watch to see whether New Orleans invests in developmental depth at the position, a signal that Wood's days as the primary long snapper may be numbered.

Current Sentiment

Zach Wood enters the 2026 season as one of the more respected long snappers in the NFC South, buoyed by a significant vote of confidence from the New Orleans Saints organization in the form of a permanent team captaincy for 2025. That designation, shared among only eight players on the roster, signals that Wood's value extends well beyond his on-field specialty role and speaks to his standing in the locker room. Media coverage heading into the new season has been warmly positive, with feature spotlights and favorable mentions tying him to incoming personnel, reinforcing his status as a trusted veteran presence. At nine years of NFL service, Wood represents the kind of quiet continuity that special teams coordinators prize, and there is no credible reporting suggesting any threat to his roster spot or role. Fan and media perception of Wood is solidly above the baseline for a specialist, reflecting a player who has earned institutional respect even if he operates largely outside the mainstream spotlight.