Joe Cardona, Los Angeles Rams
Getty
Joe Cardona #49 of the New England Patriots looks on during a preseason game against the Carolina Panthers.
The Los Angeles Rams continued the overhaul of their most problematic unit from last season with two-time Super Bowl champion Joe Cardona.
Cardona, 33, spent last season with the Miami Dolphins. However, he began his career as an undrafted free agent with the New England Patriots. He helped their franchise notch its two most recent Super Bowl victories.
He is bringing his proficiency from the East Coast out West.
Rams Sign 2-Time Super Bowl-Winner Joe Cardona
Joe Cardona
GettyJoe Cardona of the New England Patriots looks on before a game against the Carolina Panthers.
“From the former Patriots department; Long snapper Joe Cardona is set to continue his NFL career with the Rams, agreeing to a 2-year deal,” ESPN’s Mike Reiss reported in a post on X on March 6.
Cardona, an El Cajon native, is also a graduate of the Naval Academy and was commissioned as a lieutenant in the Naval Reserve, per Pro Football Talk’s Mike Florio.
Cardona has appeared in 177 games in his career.
He has 13 postseason appearances, including the two Super Bowls with New England in 2016 and 2018, and another appearance in 2017. Cardona and the Patriots defeated the Rams in the veteran’s second Super Bowl victory.
Cardona, who the Rams hope will help keep their special teams running smoothly, has been refining his game for some time.
Joe Cardona Had Early Vision for Football Career
Joe Cardona, Los Angeles Rams
GettyJoe Cardona of the New England Patriots attends the 13th annual NFL Honors.
Like most players, Cardona played multiple positions as a youth, but decided early on to hone his long-snapping skills. He credited his father with helping him through that process, which has led to an extended career.
Cardona also joked about his father loving to tell people about his son’s outlook in high school.
“I was very fortunate that my father had the foresight to teach me a specialty,” Cardona said, per Erick Scalavino for Patriots.com in September 2022, adding that he “probably didn’t have the genetics to be in the NFL unless I learned something different. I probably didn’t have the genetics to be a college football player, to be honest. Fortunately, I got a good head start.
“I was kind of a small kid going into high school. Fortunately, I hit some growth spurts and was a decent football player.”
The Rams’ special teams units were problematic for head coach Sean McVay in 2025.