Scott Daly Bio
Scott Daly (born February 7, 1994) is an American professional football long snapper in the National Football League (NFL). After going undrafted out of the University of Notre Dame in 2017, he carved out a steady career through practice squads, short stints in alternative leagues, and special teams work across multiple organizations. He has spent time with the Dallas Cowboys, the San Antonio Commanders of the Alliance of American Football, the New York Guardians of the XFL, the Detroit Lions, and the Chicago Bears.
Listed at 6 feet 2 inches and 245 pounds, Daly is recognized for his accuracy and consistency as a long snapper. Through the 2025 NFL season, he had appeared in 76 regular-season games and recorded 9 total tackles and 1 fumble recovery. He signed with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in May 2026, continuing his career as one of the league’s experienced specialists at the position.
Early Life and Background
Scott Daly was born on February 7, 1994, in Downers Grove, Illinois, in the United States. He grew up in the Chicago suburbs and is of Irish descent. Daly first picked up long snapping in the fifth grade, beginning a relationship with the craft that would eventually define his football career.
He attended Downers Grove South High School, where he played tight end in addition to handling long-snapping duties. As a junior, he earned All-conference and honorable-mention All-area recognition at tight end. During his senior season, he scored his first career touchdown in the season opener and was named the national high school long snapper of the year. Scout.com ranked him as the number one long snapper in the nation, and in April 2011 he committed to the University of Notre Dame.
Path to the NFL
Daly accepted a football scholarship from Notre Dame, joining a program with a strong tradition of producing quality specialists. As a freshman in 2012, he did not see any action, sitting behind established snapper Jordan Cowart. The following season he took over the role and never gave it back.
Across his four college seasons, Daly appeared in 39 games for the Fighting Irish. He posted 2 special teams tackles as a sophomore in 2013, was a perfect 127-for-127 on snapping opportunities as a junior in 2014, and started all 13 games as a senior in 2015. That final season included a fumble recovery on a muffed punt against Boston College and his first special teams tackle since 2013, recorded against Temple. He also contributed to Justin Yoon’s freshman All-American season and was recognized for helping send supplies to the Dominican Republic.
Scott Daly Career
Early Career (2017–2018)
After going undrafted in the 2017 NFL Draft, Daly received a rookie minicamp tryout invitation from the Chicago Bears in May. The Bears chose not to sign him, and he spent the 2017 season out of football while he waited for another opportunity.
On April 16, 2018, Daly signed as a free agent with the Dallas Cowboys. He was unable to unseat longtime veteran L.P. Ladouceur on the depth chart and was waived on September 1. Later that fall, on October 26, he signed with the San Antonio Commanders of the Alliance of American Football, where he played until the league ceased operations in April 2019.
XFL Opportunity (2020)
In October 2019, Daly was selected by the New York Guardians in the open phase of the 2020 XFL Draft. He was part of the Guardians roster when the season began the following spring. His contract was terminated on April 10, 2020, when the XFL suspended operations amid the early months of the COVID-19 pandemic.
The XFL stint gave Daly valuable game reps during a stretch when the NFL remained out of reach. It also reinforced his reputation as a dependable snapper who could step into a new locker room and contribute immediately.
Detroit Lions Era (2021–2023)
On May 4, 2021, Daly signed as a free agent with the Detroit Lions. During the preseason, he beat out 17-year veteran Don Muhlbach for the long snapper job, one of the most decisive early moves of his career. He held the role for the next three seasons and helped stabilize the Lions’ special teams units.
His tenure in Detroit ended during the 2024 training camp, when Daly was informed that rookie Hogan Hatten had passed him on the depth chart. The Lions ultimately released him, opening the door for his next chapter back in his home region.
Chicago Bears Era (2024–2025)
On August 29, 2024, Daly was signed to the Chicago Bears’ practice squad. He was promoted to the active roster on September 14 and started in place of the injured Patrick Scales. Daly went on to start all 17 of Chicago’s regular-season games, anchoring the snapping duties for the Bears’ punt and placekick units.
On August 27, 2025, Daly was released by Chicago as part of final roster cuts. He was re-signed to the active roster the following day, keeping him in the Windy City for the 2025 campaign.
Tampa Bay Buccaneers Era (2026–Present)
On May 11, 2026, Daly signed with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, where he continues to serve as a long snapper. The move extended a professional journey that began with an undrafted tryout in 2017 and now includes stops across the NFC and the alternative football leagues of the late 2010s.
Driving Style and Strengths
Daly’s value is built on accuracy and consistency rather than highlight-reel athleticism. He has been recognized for clean snapping mechanics on punts, field goals, and extra points, allowing kickers and punters to operate without distraction. His ability to step into new teams quickly has been a defining trait, especially when he beat veteran competition in Detroit and Chicago.
Notable Events and Milestones
Among the signature moments of Daly’s career are his perfect 127-for-127 snapping season at Notre Dame in 2014 and his preseason win over Don Muhlbach for the Detroit Lions’ long snapper job in 2021. Starting all 17 games for the Chicago Bears in 2024 and reaching 76 career NFL games by the end of 2025 stand as additional markers of his durability.
Scott Daly Career Wins
As a long snapper, Scott Daly’s statistical profile is measured less in win totals and more in the consistency he provides on special teams. Through the 2025 NFL season, he has appeared in 76 regular-season games and contributed 9 total tackles and 1 fumble recovery. His career reflects the long, patient path that specialists often travel from undrafted free agent to multi-year contributor.
NFL Highlights
Daly’s first extended NFL action came with the Detroit Lions from 2021 through 2023, where he won the long snapper role out of training camp. He later returned to his hometown region with the Chicago Bears, starting all 17 games in 2024 after being promoted from the practice squad. The Buccaneers signing in May 2026 extended his NFL tenure into a new organization.
Other Performances
Beyond the NFL, Daly gained professional experience with the San Antonio Commanders of the Alliance of American Football in 2019 and the New York Guardians of the XFL in 2020. Both leagues folded during or shortly after his involvement, but the reps helped him stay sharp while waiting for his next NFL opportunity.
Scott Daly Family
Family Background and Racing Lineage
Scott Daly is of Irish descent and grew up in Downers Grove, Illinois, where he began long snapping in the fifth grade. He attended Downers Grove South High School before continuing his football career at the University of Notre Dame.
Personal Life
Daly maintains an active presence on Instagram at @sdaly61, where he shares updates from his football career. Publicly verified details about a spouse, partner, or children are not available.
2025 Season Performance
Daly entered the 2025 season with the Chicago Bears after being released and re-signed during final roster cuts in late August. He continued to handle long-snapping duties in Chicago, contributing to the team’s special teams units throughout the regular season. His experience and reliability helped provide a steady foundation for the Bears’ kicking game.
After completing the 2025 campaign, Daly reached 76 career NFL regular-season games, with 9 total tackles and 1 fumble recovery to his name. The strong finish reinforced his standing as a respected veteran specialist.
Looking ahead, Daly joined the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in May 2026, where he is expected to compete for the long snapper role. His track record of stepping into new teams and winning jobs out of training camp suggests he will be in the mix for snapping duties in Tampa Bay’s upcoming season.