Scott Daly Bio
Scott Daly is an American professional football long snapper for the Chicago Bears of the National Football League (NFL). Standing 188 centimeters tall and listed around 111 kilograms, Daly has built a steady career as a specialist, excelling at one of football’s most precise and demanding support roles. He played college football for the Notre Dame Fighting Irish after developing his craft at Downers Grove South High School in Illinois. Across multiple professional stops, he has continued to prove his value through consistent snapping accuracy and reliable special teams play.
Early Life and Background
Scott Daly was born on February 7, 1994, in Downers Grove, Illinois. He grew up in a community with a strong football tradition and first picked up long snapping in the fifth grade. That early start gave him years of repetition and muscle memory, laying the foundation for the technique that would later define his professional career.
He attended Downers Grove South High School, where he played tight end while also handling the team’s long-snapping duties. As a junior, he earned All-conference and honorable-mention All-area recognition at tight end, demonstrating that his athletic ability extended beyond the specialist role. Daly is of Irish descent, a heritage that later connected naturally to his college choice.
During his senior season, Daly scored his first career touchdown in the opening game and was named the national high school long snapper of the year. He was also ranked the number one long snapper in the nation by Scout.com. In April 2011, he committed to the University of Notre Dame, choosing the Fighting Irish for both their academic and football reputation.
Path to American Football
After high school, Daly accepted a football scholarship to Notre Dame, stepping into one of the most tradition-rich programs in college football. As a freshman in 2012, he did not see game action while learning behind established snapper Jordan Cowart. The patience required during that redshirt year helped him refine his fundamentals and prepare for larger responsibilities ahead.
By his sophomore season in 2013, Daly had earned the starting long snapper role and handled duties for all 13 games, recording two special teams tackles along the way. His progression continued through his junior year in 2014, when he was perfect across 127 snapping opportunities, an error-free stretch that reinforced his reputation for precision.
As a senior in 2015, he started all 13 games and brought his consecutive starts streak to 39 straight games over his first three seasons. He went perfect on 126 snapping opportunities and contributed to a freshman All-American season for kicker Justin Yoon. Daly also posted his first special teams tackle since 2013 against Temple University and recovered a muffed punt at the four-yard line in a game against Boston College. He earned recognition for sending supplies to the Dominican Republic, reflecting his commitment beyond the field.
Scott Daly Career
Early Career (2017–2018)
Scott Daly went unselected in the 2017 NFL draft but received a rookie minicamp tryout with the Chicago Bears in May of that year. The Bears ultimately decided against signing him to a contract, and Daly spent the entire 2017 season out of professional football. The setback did not derail his long-term plans, as he continued training for the next opportunity.
In April 2018, Daly signed as a free agent with the Dallas Cowboys, hoping to learn under veteran long snapper L.P. Ladouceur. He was unable to move ahead of Ladouceur on the depth chart and was waived on September 1, 2018. Shortly afterward, on October 26, 2018, he signed with the San Antonio Commanders of the Alliance of American Football, where he played until the league ceased operations in April 2019.
New York Guardians Era (2020)
In October 2019, Daly was selected by the New York Guardians in the open phase of the 2020 XFL draft. He joined a startup league that offered another stage to showcase his snapping consistency. Daly’s time with the Guardians, however, ended abruptly when the XFL suspended operations on April 10, 2020, leading to the termination of his contract.
Detroit Lions Era (2021–2023)
On May 4, 2021, Daly signed as a free agent with the Detroit Lions and quickly made an impression during the preseason. He passed 17-year veteran Don Muhlbach on the depth chart to claim the long snapper job, a notable achievement that confirmed his growth as a professional specialist. Over the following seasons with Detroit, Daly became a steady presence on special teams.
During the 2024 training camp with the Lions, Daly was informed that rookie Hogan Hatten had moved ahead of him on the depth chart, which ultimately led to his release from the team. The transition opened the door for his next chapter back where his professional football story had first begun.
Chicago Bears Era (2024–Present)
On August 29, 2024, Daly was signed to the Chicago Bears’ practice squad, returning to the organization that had first invited him to a rookie tryout years earlier. He was promoted to the active roster on September 14 and started in place of the injured Patrick Scales. Daly went on to start all 17 of Chicago’s regular-season games, cementing his role as the team’s long snapper.
On August 27, 2025, Daly was released by Chicago as part of final roster cuts. He was re-signed to the team’s active roster the following day, signaling the organization’s continued confidence in his abilities. The quick turnaround underscored how valuable his precision and reliability had become to the Bears’ special teams unit.
Driving Style and Strengths
While long snappers are not asked to drive, Daly’s strengths mirror the precision and consistency demanded in his role. His track-type advantage lies in field goal and punt snapping, where his compact mechanics and quick release produce clean, accurate deliveries. His ability to remain calm under pressure and adapt to varying field conditions has made him a trusted partner for kickers and punters alike.
Notable Events and Milestones
One signature moment in Daly’s career came during his senior season at Notre Dame, when he recovered a muffed punt at the four-yard line against Boston College, turning a special teams mistake into a scoring opportunity. Earning the long snapper job with the Detroit Lions by passing Don Muhlbach, a 17-year veteran, stands as another milestone that highlighted his preparation and patience.
Scott Daly Career Wins
As a long snapper, Scott Daly’s contributions are measured less in traditional win totals and more in consistent performance across games and seasons. His verified professional stops include stints with the Dallas Cowboys, San Antonio Commanders, New York Guardians, Detroit Lions, and Chicago Bears. The wins and milestones most associated with his career are tied to team success, special teams reliability, and earning starting roles in multiple leagues.
League Highlights
Daly started all 17 regular-season games for the Chicago Bears in 2024 after being promoted from the practice squad. He previously earned the starting long snapper role with the Detroit Lions during the 2021 preseason by passing a longtime veteran on the depth chart. These moments reflect a career built on steady production rather than headline statistics.
Other Performances
Beyond his primary NFL stops, Daly gained experience in the Alliance of American Football with the San Antonio Commanders and in the XFL with the New York Guardians. Each league offered valuable in-game reps that strengthened his professional profile and prepared him for sustained NFL work.
Scott Daly Family
Family Background and Racing Lineage
Scott Daly is of Irish descent, a heritage that shaped both his cultural identity and his path to the University of Notre Dame. Public details about his parents and siblings are not widely documented in verified sources.
Personal Life
Daly was born and raised in Downers Grove, Illinois, where his football journey began in elementary school. Verified public information about his spouse, children, or marital status is not currently available.
2025 Season Performance
Scott Daly’s 2025 storyline with the Chicago Bears began with a brief release on August 27 as part of final roster cuts, followed quickly by a re-signing to the active roster the next day. The swift move suggested that the Bears viewed him as central to their special teams plans despite the procedural transaction. He entered the regular season as the team’s long snapper, building on the momentum of his 17-start 2024 campaign.
His role with the Bears continued to revolve around field goal, extra point, and punt snapping duties, areas where his track record of accuracy remained a key asset. Special teams coordinator decisions and the rhythm between Daly, the kicker, and the punter shaped the early dynamics of the season. With his roster spot secure, Daly focused on maintaining the consistency that had earned him a multi-year home in Chicago.
Looking ahead, Daly’s outlook in Chicago remained tied to his precision and durability, the two traits that have defined his professional path. A strong 2025 showing could further cement his standing as one of the more reliable long snappers in the league. His career arc, from an undrafted tryout invitee to a multi-stop veteran, reflects the patience and persistence required to thrive at a specialized position.