MIAMI GARDENS, Fla. — The Miami Dolphins have signed veteran long snapper Joe Cardona, according to ESPN’s Adam Schefter atozsports.com. This move adds an experienced specialist to Miami’s roster and marks a notable in-division transaction.
🏈 A Winning Tenure in New England
Cardona spent the first 10 seasons (2015–2024) of his NFL career with the New England Patriots. A 5th-round pick out of Navy, he appeared in 160 games, delivering dependable snaps, contributing 13 special-teams tackles and one forced fumble, and playing in 13 playoff contests. He was instrumental in two Super Bowl victories (LI and LIII) and even earned a spot on the Patriots’ All‑Dynasty Team patspulpit.com+15miamidolphins.com+15fanrecap.com+15.
Transition to Miami
Following the Patriots’ selection of Vanderbilt long snapper Julian Ashby in the 2025 NFL Draft, New England released Cardona on April 29 nfltraderumors.co+15985thesportshub.com+15nbcsports.com+15. Head coach Mike Vrabel explained the decision: “we just felt like that was the best decision to go with Julian” heavy.com+2985thesportshub.com+2patspulpit.com+2.
In Miami, Cardona fills a long-snapper void left after the release of Blake Ferguson nfltraderumors.co+15thephinsider.com+15fanrecap.com+15. With the Dolphins cycling through multiple snappers in 2024, Cardona brings much-needed consistency and veteran presence to special teams nbcsports.com+5sports.yahoo.com+5fanrecap.com+5.
Deal Highlights
Cardona, now 33, has signed a one-year contract with Miami, reportedly worth around the veteran minimum with about $483,750 guaranteed and a total cap hit of approximately $1.2 million .
Dual-Service Athlete
A graduate of the U.S. Naval Academy, Cardona balances his NFL career with service in the U.S. Navy Reserve. He was commissioned as a lieutenant in 2019 and continues to serve in a maritime security role fanrecap.com+3miamidolphins.com+3en.wikipedia.org+3.
What This Means for Miami
Cardona is expected to step in immediately as the Dolphins’ primary long snapper, restoring reliability to snapping on punts and field goals. His championship pedigree and consistency may also bolster the team’s special teams unit, which struggled last season spotrac.com+15sports.yahoo.com+15chowderandchampions.com+15.
AFC East Stakes
Cardona’s move adds another twist in the AFC East, transferring a seasoned Patriot to a rival. He’ll now take on his former team twice next season wearing Dolphins aqua heavy.com.
In short:
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Cardona joins Miami after a decade in New England, bringing elite experience and championship nuggets.
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His signing signals a special teams upgrade for the Dolphins.
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The one-year deal reflects Miami’s strategy to stabilize a key but often overlooked spot.
This in-division transfer, flagged by Schefter, shifts both rosters ahead of the 2025 campaign—and gives Miami a trustworthy veteran to snap into place.