Jacksonville Jaguars long snapper Ross Matiscik had an eventful few hours on Wednesday, June 17: He participated in the team’s final organized team activity workout, became the league’s highest-paid player at his position and to cap it off, golfed with four teammates.
Matiscik joined kicker Cam Little, left tackle Walker Little and quarterbacks Trevor Lawrence and Nick Mullens at the Glen Kernan Club.
“We played 18 holes and it was a lot of fun to be with those guys and celebrate the day,” Matiscik told me in a phone interview.
And what it day it was. Nine months before he was scheduled to be a free agent, Matiscik signed a two-year, $3.8 million contract extension to remain with the Jaguars through 2028.
Did Matiscik ever think he would be the one to set the bar for long-snapper salaries ($1.9 million average)?
“When I was in college (at Baylor), I didn’t even know I was going to be a long snapper,” he said. “It’s been quite the journey from being a walk-on linebacker and then seeing the places this sport has taken me.”
It was an easy decision for Matiscik and his wife, Allison, to again commit to Jacksonville long-term instead of testing free agency in March 2027.
“We just really like Jacksonville and the people here and coaching staff, organization and everything that is going on,” he said. “We know we wanted to be here in the future and it’s really cool they have appreciated my contributions over the last couple years.”
Matiscik will enter training camp next month tied with defensive tackle DaVon Hamilton for the third longest-tenured player on the team behind punter Logan Cooke (2018) and defensive end Josh Hines-Allen (2019). Matiscik and Hamilton debuted in 2020.
Matiscik has never missed a game (104 for 104) and been voted to three Pro Bowls, two first-team All Pro teams (2023, 2025) and one second-team All Pro team (2024).
The contract was a no-brainer for the Jaguars because long snappers are easier to retain than find. Why mess with success?
I asked Matiscik what he does better compared to 2020.
“Early in my career, I was just trying to figure out how to survive in the NFL and now I’m trying to figure out how to dominate,” he said. “We all strive for perfection.”
The “we” Matiscik refers to are the Jaguars’ specialists. At the far end of the locker room, Matiscik, Cooke and Cam Little have their stalls and are often commiserating and solving the world’s problems after practice.
“Off the field, Logan is my best friend,” Matiscik said. “He’s like an older brother to me so we had the connection going on early in my career and we clicked right off the bat, and when Cam got here, he’s been like the little brother and is so talented and makes work so enjoyable. I couldn’t imagine a better group to be around.”
About the Jaguars
1. London ticket demand: If your budget allows for attending one of the Jaguars game in London this October, your bank account won’t be shattered by choosing the Houston game at Wembley Stadium on Oct. 18. And there are plenty of seats available.
In 22 of the 500-level (top deck) sections, there are at least 50% of the tickets remaining starting at around $204 U.S. At least half of the inventory remains in 13 of the 51 sections on the 200 level starting at $277 U.S.
Compare that to the Jaguars game against the Philadelphia Eagles at Tottenham Stadium the previous week (Oct. 11). These prices are all secondary market (StubHub). Level 5 tickets are up to $423 U.S., and level 1 tickets are up to $627 U.S.
2. A.J. Green visits: A.J. Green was among the former NFL players who attended Jaguars practice on June 15, bringing back memories of November 2017 when Green was a Cincinnati Bengals receiver and was ejected for mauling cornerback Jalen Ramsey.
To Ramsey’s rescue was linebacker Myles Jack, who torpedoed himself through Green. Ramsey was also ejected even though he didn’t throw a punch.
Man, that 2017 Jaguars season. What a wild ride.
JU’s three returning players
The three returning players on the Jacksonville University men’s basketball team are all sophomore guards: Hayden Wood, Evan Sterck and Roman Loux.
Wood led JU in scoring last year (11.8 points) and started 31 of 32 games, Sterck started 23 of 32 games and Loux appeared in four games.
Coach Jordan Mincy said it was “highly important” to retain Wood and Sterck.
“Both of those guys were thrown into the fire early at such a young age,” Mincy said. “They probably weren’t prepared, but throughout the season, they got prepared. Over the last 8-9 games, Hayden was outstanding and having a guy like Evan is so valuable to understanding what we want. In our first team meeting, their expectations were heard.”
Loux prepped at Tocoi Creek in St. Augustine.
“The thing I love about him is he’s a sounding board for the staff and the players,” Mincy said.
Extra points
Credit the Carolina Hurricanes and New York Knicks for not only winning the NHL and NBA titles, respectively, but doing so in dominating fashion. The Hurricanes needed only 19 games to reach 16 wins, the second-fewest since hockey went to best-of-seven in all four rounds (the 1987-88 Edmonton Oilers, led by Wayne Gretzky, went 16-2). The Knicks needed 20 games to reach 16 games, second to only the 2017 Golden State Warriors (16-1) since all rounds went to best-of-seven in 2003. … “Hydration break,” during the World Cup games is code for “Media timeout.” Just call what it is. … Jim Furyk is a good listen on the U.S. Open coverage this week on USA Network. … Finally, a hat tip, farewell and best wishes to Alessandra Pontbriand, who is wrapping up her tour with WJXT (News4Jax) this weekend. I get along with people who consistently crack me up and laugh at my sophomoric humor and A.P. checked both boxes.
Contact O’Halloran at rohalloran@gannett.com or on X at @ryanohalloran. Listen to Ryan on 1010AM on Tuesdays (6:35 p.m. on “Into The Night”), Thursdays (1:15 on “XL Primetime”) and Fridays (4-6 p.m. on “The Lead”).
This article originally appeared on Florida Times-Union: Jaguars had easy decision on Ross Matiscik contract. Here’s why
Reporting by Ryan O’Halloran, Jacksonville Florida Times-Union / Florida Times-Union
USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect
By Ryan O'Halloran, Jacksonville Florida Times-Union | USA TODAY Network
