The Pittsburgh Steelers took on the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in the team's second preseason game of 2025 on Saturday. Pittsburgh lost the matchup, but the team also wasn't able to get through the contest in a healthy manner. Outside linebacker Nick Herbig left the game with a hamstring injury, and long snapper Christian Kuntz went down with a chest injury that turned out to be a broken sternum. He is expected to miss roughly eight weeks, which means the organization had to begin looking for a replacement for the start of the season.
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Steelers General Manager Omar Khan looks on as the team sets up in front of fans to workout at the annual Friday Night Lights training camp practice in Latrobe, PA.
Long snapper is a position that is certainly overlooked, but it is a critical position when it comes to execution on special teams. Pittsburgh worked out long snappers on Sunday, and the franchise wound up signing veteran Jake McQuaide on Monday. McQuaide entered the league back in 2011, so he has plenty of experience.
Appears Steelers have signed LS Jake McQuaide.
— Mark Kaboly (@MarkKaboly) August 18, 2025
McQuaide was one of the better long snappers in the NFL for quite some time. He was voted a Pro Bowler twice in 2016 and 2017. He spent the majority of his career with the Los Angeles Rams, and he has also suited up the Dallas Cowboys, Detroit Lions, Chicago Bears, Miami Dolphins, and Minnesota Vikings. He has bounced around since leaving the Rams, but his experience should be valuable in Pittsburgh while Kuntz is out.
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Steelers' Jake McQuaide during an away game while he was with the Rams.
Kuntz should be able to return after roughly eight weeks. Pittsburgh has its bye week during Week 5, which means Week 6 might be the ideal time for Kuntz to return to the field. It could be later, as it will all depend on how his recovery is coming. His job will certainly be waiting for him when he returns to full health, as McQuaide will be just a temporary Band-Aid at the position.
Steelers Will Miss Christian Kuntz' Presence On Punt
Many believe the importance of long snappers is just snapping the football, but the players at the position are able to do more than just that. Kuntz is one of the best in the league at getting down the field on punts and making a play on the returner, or cleaning up missed tackles from his teammates.
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Steelers long snapper Christian Kuntz (46) during 2025 training camp in Latrobe, PA.
McQuaide will need to be able to replicate that part of Kuntz' game as well, which is something that won't be easy to do. This is an interesting development to keep an eye on as the regular season grows closer.
What do you think about the signing for Pittsburgh? Let us know in the comments below!
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