Minnesota Vikings Sign New Veteran Long Snapper, Place Andrew DePaola on IR

It’s been quite the day of turnover in the Minnesota Vikings special teams room on Tuesday. After Will Reichard uncharacteristically missed two field goals on Sunday night vs the Indianapolis Colts, due to a quad injury, the Vikings put him on injured reserve, replacing him with familiar kicker John Parker Romo.

Minnesota Vikings sign long snapper Jake McQuaide to replace Andrew DePaola

But that wasn’t the only move. Long snapper Andrew DePaola was also injured in week 9, and he too was placed on IR today. To replace their All-Pro long snapper, the Vikings are signing a guy who has gotten around the NFC North recently, Jake McQuaide.

#Vikings had to change two-thirds of their kicking operation this week due to injury. Former #Lions and #Bears long snapper Jake McQuaide is expected to continue his tour of the NFC North by signing with Minnesota. https://t.co/NRsQnB4Q9F

— Mike Garafolo (@MikeGarafolo) November 5, 2024

McQuaide spent last season in Detroit, and the two years prior in Dallas, before temporarily making an appearance for Chicago this summer. Most of his career (10 seasons) were spent in the Rams organization, both before and after their move from St. Louis to Los Angeles.

Related: Minnesota Vikings Sign Familiar Kicker to Replace Will Reichard

No 36 years old, it’s unlikely Jake McQuaide is the long snapper he once was, while being selected to two straight Pro Bowls between 2016 and 2017, when he was in his prime. Luckily, all he has to do is successfully get the football to a holder or punter successfully, so age shouldn’t matter all that much.