The New England Patriots revamped their roster in a significant way this offseason. Head coach Mike Vrabel wanted to move on from the team's losing ways over the last few seasons and brought in veterans he is familiar.
One of the players that the Patriots parted ways with was long snapper Joe Cardona. After a decade with the franchise and being the longest-tenured player on the roster, Cardona was released after the NFL Draft. The Patriots will now begin the 2025 season with rookie long snapper Julian Ashby.
Cardona was able to land a new deal and a role with the Miami Dolphins. However, he is not the only Patriots specialist to land a new contract. After getting cut by the Houston Texans last week, former Patriot Tucker Addington just signed a new deal with the Pittsburgh Steelers, per NFL insider Aaron Wilson.
#Steelers expected to sign veteran long snapper Tucker Addington, per a league source. New Braunfels native last with #Texans and has snapped for multiple #NFL teams including #Patriots #Dolphins #Cowboys #Jaguars #Commanders @SamHoustonState @KPRC2
— Aaron Wilson (@AaronWilson_NFL) June 23, 2025
Former Patriots LS Tucker Addington Signs With the Steelers
Addington has had two stints in Foxborough and was the team's emergency backup for when Cardona was unavailable. Addington played in four games for the Patriots, more than any franchise he has suited up for.
Despite signing with the Steelers, Addington still faces an uphill battle to make the 53-man roster. Pittsburgh has Christian Kuntz on the roster, who has played in every game for the team in the last four years. He is still under contract for another season, which means that Addington could find himself on the outside looking in.
Addington has been released by three teams already since his second stint with the Patriots. There is a good chance that number will increase to four before the start of the 2025 campaign. He may once again be waiting for that call from a team with an injured long snapper during the fall.