Instant Grade on Ross Matiscik's Extension: Jaguars' Keep Elite Specialist Trio

The Jacksonville Jaguars have made Ross Matiscik the highest-paid long snapper in football, and here is what we make of the move.

Jacksonville Jaguars long snapper Ross Matiscik (46) practices during the first day of minicamp at the Miller Electric Center, Tuesday, June 9, 2026, in Jacksonville, Fla. | Corey Perrine/Florida Times-Union / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images

JACKSONVILLE, Fla. -- The Jacksonville Jaguars are keeping the band together.

According to a report from Ian Rapoport, the Jaguars have officially agreed to terms with impending free agent long-snapper Ross Matiscik,

The #Jaguars are signing long snapper Ross Matiscik to a 2-year extension worth $3.8M in new money, per me and @MikeGarafolo. The NFL’s new highest-paid long snapper.

Matiscik has made 3 straight Pro Bowls. Now paid like it in a deal done by Jonathan Perzley of @SPORTSTARSNYC. pic.twitter.com/VPoScczQvr

— Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) June 17, 2026

So, what do we make of the Jaguars making Matiscik the NFL's highest-paid long-snapper ahead of the 2026 season? We break it all down below with our instant grade on general manager James Gladstone's latest move.

Pros

Nov 23, 2025; Glendale, Arizona, USA; Jacksonville Jaguars long snapper Ross Matiscik (46) against the Arizona Cardinals at State Farm Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-Imagn Images | Mark J. Rebilas-Imagn Images

Simply put, Matiscik has proven time and time again he is a genuine difference-maker at the long-snapper position. Very few players who play the position in any era of the sport have been able to make plays that can legit change the course of a game on any given week, but Matiscik -- who has earned three Pro Bowl and two first-team All-Pro nods -- has proven he is that type of player.

"We're really fortunate. Ross [Matiscik] is the best in the game. Obviously, he's gone to a few Pro Bowls to showcase that, but they're so talented and it's such a precise operation. Just the hundredth of a second makes a difference between a good kick and a blocked kick," Jaguars special teams coordinator Heath Farwell said last week after the Jaguars wrapped up their veteran minicamp.

Jacksonville Jaguars punter Logan Cooke (9), Jacksonville Jaguars long snapper Ross Matiscik (46), Jacksonville Jaguars safety Andrew Wingard (42) and Jacksonville Jaguars place kicker Cam Little (39) watches warm up before an NFL football AFC Wild Card playoff matchup, Sunday, Jan. 11, 2026, in Jacksonville, Fla. Bills lead 10-7 at the half over the Jaguars. [Doug Engle/Florida Times-Union] | Doug Engle/Florida Times-Union / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images

Since entering the league in 2020, Matiscik's 22 special teams tackles are tied first among long snappers in the NFL A former long-snapper, Matiscik has the ability to force turnovers on coverage teams, as well as provide a tone-setting presence at the long-snapper position. Considering the Jaguars are able to keep him at what would be a backup tight end price otherwise, this was an easy move for the Jaguars to make.

There is also the fact that by extending Matiscik, the Jaguars are keeping the NFL's best special teams trio in space for at least another few years. By the time his deal his up, the Jaguars will be ready to pay Cam Little. With Little on a rookie deal, now is the perfect time for the Jaguars to pay Matiscik and punter Logan Cooke.

Cons

Jacksonville Jaguars long snapper Ross Matiscik (46) walks on the field before an NFL football game at EverBank Stadium, Sunday, Nov. 16, 2025 in Jacksonville, Fla. The Jacksonville Jaguars defeated the Los Angeles Chargers 35-6. [Corey Perrine/Florida Times-Union] | Corey Perrine/Florida Times-Union / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images

It is hard to think of any real negative to making this deal if you are the Jaguars. This is a cheap deal that won't impact the Jaguars' cap space situation either in 2026 or in 2027; the Jaguars should already get considerable cap relief next season anyways due to them getting some dead money off of the books, which gives them a chance to make deals like this one and potentially a few others down the road such as Parker Washington and Brenton Strange.

If Matiscik was not one of the top players in the entire NFL at his position, then perhaps there would be something to nitpick when it came to this contract. But the Jaguars are keeping a player who can make plays at a position where very few other players are doing so, giving the Jaguars the type of edge on special teams that not many -- if any -- other teams have.

My biggest question regarding this contract is simply ... who is next? Matiscik has earned his deal and then some over the years, and again this is not a deal that will impact the Jaguars in any negative capacity over the next few years. These are the kind of the deals that are worth making for Gladstone and the Jaguars' front office.