Andrew DePaola Bio
Andrew DePaola Jr. (pronounced dee-PAW-lə; born July 28, 1987) is an American professional football long snapper for the Minnesota Vikings of the National Football League (NFL). He has built a long career as a specialist, earning recognition as one of the league’s most consistent long snappers since his NFL debut.
Over the course of his career, DePaola has also played for the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, Chicago Bears, Oakland Raiders, and Carolina Panthers. He wears jersey number 42 and remains active in the league today. Standing 6 feet 1 inch tall and weighing about 227 pounds, he is listed as the Vikings’ active long snapper on the team roster.
Early Life and Background
Andrew DePaola Jr. was born in Parkton, Maryland, on July 28, 1987, and grew up in nearby Sparks, a town in Baltimore County. He entered Hereford High School in Parkton in 2001 as a freshman who loved baseball, but he soon shifted his main focus to football and became a key player for the Bulls.
During his high school years, DePaola helped the Hereford Bulls win the Maryland 2A state football championship during his sophomore season. As a senior, he played quarterback and led the team back to the state title game, completing 68 percent of his passes for 2,092 yards and 22 touchdowns while throwing only seven interceptions. That season the Bulls set a state record for single-season scoring with 636 points, and DePaola earned Baltimore County Offensive Player of the Year honors from The Baltimore Sun, along with all-Metro and All-State recognition. He continued to play baseball as well, batting .527 with a 3–1 pitching record in his final year and earning all-Metro honors in that sport too. His final high school game was the Good Samaritan Bowl at the Navy–Marine Corps Memorial Stadium in Annapolis, Maryland.
Path to American Football
After high school, DePaola joined the Rutgers University football program as a walk-on. His first year he was redshirted, and during his early college seasons he worked as a third-string quarterback while helping the Scarlet Knights prepare for games in practice. By his third season he was serving as the team’s field goal holder without dropping a single snap, and in 2007 he briefly appeared on ESPN SportsCenter after completing a fifteen-yard fake field goal pass for a touchdown against the then-number-two ranked University of South Florida.
DePaola moved to wide receiver in his fourth college season but switched to long snapper after Rutgers starter Jeremy Branch suffered a leg injury. He started the final four games of that year and every game of his fifth season, finishing his college career as the Scarlet Knights’ starting long snapper. Although he went undrafted by NFL teams after his time at Rutgers, his work at the long snapper position set the stage for a professional opportunity.
Andrew DePaola Career
Early Career (2012–2014)
After going undrafted, DePaola spent two years working as a bartender and taking on odd jobs while waiting for his NFL chance. He first signed with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers as a long snapper during training camp in August 2012, but he was released after about three weeks. The Buccaneers signed him to a future contract in January 2013, only to let him go again in favor of veteran snapper Andrew Economos during training camp cuts.
DePaola finally secured a roster spot on May 14, 2014, when he signed a two-year contract with Tampa Bay. He made his on-field NFL debut against the Carolina Panthers on September 7, 2014, handling two extra-point snaps and recording one tackle assist. That game marked the start of a three-year run as the Buccaneers’ long snapper from 2014 through 2016, before he was released in September 2017.
Tampa Bay Buccaneers Era (2014–2016)
DePaola’s Buccaneers tenure established him as a steady NFL long snapper after years of waiting. He handled snapping duties on field goals, extra points, and punts, and he contributed on special teams coverage with tackles such as his debut assist against Carolina. His reliability helped him hold the starting long snapper job through the 2014, 2015, and 2016 seasons. After a brief offseason re-signing in August 2017, he was released during final roster cuts that September, ending his first extended NFL stint.
Chicago Bears Era (2017)
On September 3, 2017, DePaola was claimed off waivers by the Chicago Bears. His time in Chicago lasted only through that single season, but it gave him another opportunity to remain in the league as a specialist. After the season ended, he entered free agency and signed a new contract the following spring.
Oakland Raiders Era (2018)
DePaola signed a four-year contract with the Oakland Raiders on March 16, 2018, looking to settle in as a long-term starter. Unfortunately, his season ended almost immediately when he suffered a torn ACL in Week 1 and was placed on injured reserve on September 12, 2018. He was released by the Raiders in August 2019 while still recovering, cutting short what had been billed as a multi-year commitment.
Carolina Panthers Era (2019)
On August 28, 2019, DePaola signed with the Carolina Panthers in search of a fresh start. He was released during final roster cuts just two days later on August 30, 2019. After sitting out the entire 2019 NFL season, he had a tryout with the Houston Texans in August 2020 but did not sign, leaving him searching for his next opportunity.
Minnesota Vikings Era (2020–Present)
DePaola’s career stabilized when he joined the Minnesota Vikings, signing to the practice squad on November 21, 2020. He was elevated to the active roster for games against the Dallas Cowboys and the Panthers before being promoted to the active roster full-time on December 2, 2020. From that point on, he became a fixture on Minnesota’s special teams units.
His breakout recognition came after the 2022 season, when he earned both a Pro Bowl selection and a first-team All-Pro nod as long snapper. He repeated with another Pro Bowl selection and a second-team All-Pro honor in 2023, and on March 14, 2023, he signed a three-year contract extension with the Vikings. In 2024, he played through a hand injury that required surgery in November, yet still earned first-team All-Pro honors and another Pro Bowl selection, becoming the first long snapper in league history to make three consecutive Pro Bowls. On March 10, 2026, DePaola re-signed with the Vikings on a one-year, $1.725 million contract, continuing his run in Minnesota.
Driving Style and Strengths
DePaola’s value lies in consistency, accuracy, and toughness at the long snapper position. He is trusted on field goals, extra points, and punts, and he has built a reputation as a reliable special teams contributor who can also help on coverage units. His three consecutive Pro Bowl selections reflect the steady, detail-oriented work he brings to the Vikings’ special teams every week.
Notable Events and Milestones
DePaola’s milestone moments include his 2014 NFL debut with the Buccaneers, his first Pro Bowl and first-team All-Pro honors in 2022, and his historic third straight Pro Bowl nod in 2024. He also earned two first-team All-Pro selections in 2022 and 2024, with a second-team All-Pro selection in 2023, cementing his place among the league’s elite long snappers.
Andrew DePaola Career Wins
Andrew DePaola Jr. has built a long NFL career as a long snapper across multiple teams. His biggest wins have come in the form of individual recognition rather than team championships, with three Pro Bowl selections and multiple All-Pro honors highlighting his resume. His most recent Pro Bowl and first-team All-Pro selection came after the 2024 season.
Minnesota Vikings Highlights
With the Vikings, DePaola has played every season since 2020, earning his first Pro Bowl and first-team All-Pro honors in 2022, a second Pro Bowl and second-team All-Pro nod in 2023, and a third consecutive Pro Bowl and another first-team All-Pro selection in 2024. His three straight Pro Bowl appearances are a notable achievement for a long snapper at the position.
Other Wins and Performances
Earlier in his career, DePaola helped the Hereford Bulls win the Maryland 2A state football championship during his sophomore year of high school. He later worked his way into the NFL as an undrafted free agent and played for the Buccaneers, Bears, Raiders, and Panthers before finding his longest and most successful stop in Minnesota.
Andrew DePaola Family
Family Background and Racing Lineage
Public information about Andrew DePaola Jr.’s immediate family is limited. He grew up in Sparks and Parkton, Maryland, and his high school and college backgrounds are well documented, but detailed information about his parents and siblings has not been widely reported.
Personal Life
Andrew DePaola Jr. is an American citizen who was born and raised in Maryland. He attended Rutgers University from 2005 to 2009 and later settled into a professional football career that has taken him across several NFL cities. Beyond football, he remains active on social media and is represented by his official accounts on X and Instagram.
2025 Season Performance
The 2025 season represented another strong campaign for Andrew DePaola Jr. in Minnesota, where he continued to serve as the Vikings’ starting long snapper. Even after a hand injury in November 2024 required surgery, he returned to full strength and remained a steady presence on field goals, extra points, and punts. His consistent play kept him among the league’s top specialists.
Throughout 2025, DePaola’s reliability helped the Vikings’ special teams operate smoothly, and he contributed on coverage units as he had throughout his career. He was named a second-team All-Pro for the 2025 season, adding another postseason honor to his growing list of accolades. His veteran presence continued to anchor the kicking game in Minnesota.
Looking ahead, DePaola re-signed with the Vikings on a one-year, $1.725 million contract in March 2026, signaling that both sides view him as a key part of the team’s plans. Given his track record of three consecutive Pro Bowl selections and multiple All-Pro nods, he remains one of the most respected long snappers in the NFL heading into the next chapter of his career.
