Zach Triner

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    Image of Player Zach Triner

    Zach Triner Bio

    Zach Michael Triner is an American professional football long snapper who has carved out a lengthy NFL career through persistence and steady improvement. Born on January 30, 1991, in Marshfield, Massachusetts, he attended Marshfield High School before continuing his athletic journey at the college level. After a non-traditional route into professional football, Triner has spent multiple seasons in the league, becoming a trusted specialist on special teams units. Standing 6 feet 3 inches tall and weighing about 245 pounds, he has remained a reliable figure in one of football’s most specialized roles.

    Triner is best known for his long tenure with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, where he served as the primary long snapper for several seasons and was part of a Super Bowl championship team. Over the years, he has also spent time with several other NFL franchises as both a practice squad member and an active roster contributor. His career reflects the path of a player who continually earned opportunities through special teams excellence and roster flexibility.

    Early Life and Background

    Zach Michael Triner was born and raised in Marshfield, Massachusetts, where he attended Marshfield High School. Growing up in a coastal New England town, he took part in multiple sports during his youth, developing the athletic foundation that would later support his football career. Marshfield’s strong high school athletic programs gave him early exposure to competitive team sports and helped shape his understanding of disciplined play.

    Following high school, Triner initially enrolled at Siena College, where he competed on a lacrosse scholarship. During his freshman season with the Siena Saints, he played in 13 games and scored one goal while contributing to a Metro Atlantic Athletic Conference championship. That experience on the lacrosse field helped refine his hand-eye coordination and field awareness, qualities that would later become valuable in his football specialty.

    Seeking a new athletic direction, Triner transferred to Assumption University to focus on football. He spent three seasons with the Assumption Greyhounds, playing as a defensive end and long snapper. As a senior, he recorded 5.5 sacks and 7.5 tackles for loss, demonstrating both his pass-rushing instincts and his emerging skill in the long-snapping role. His time at Assumption became the launching point for his pursuit of a professional football career.

    Path to American Football

    After completing his college career, Triner faced the difficult transition from small-school football to the professional ranks. He worked out for the New England Patriots shortly after the 2015 NFL Draft but did not receive a contract offer or an invitation to a rookie minicamp. He later tried out for the Jacksonville Jaguars and the New York Jets in early 2016, and participated in a Houston Texans post-draft rookie minicamp, but again went unsigned.

    To support himself during this uncertain period, Triner took a job at Fidelity Investments, where he spent three years selling mutual funds. He trained for football before and after his work hours, maintaining his conditioning and snapping technique in pursuit of another chance. That dedication eventually paid off when he signed a futures contract with the New York Jets on January 5, 2017, after working out for the team in December 2016.

    Zach Triner Career

    Early Career (2017–2018)

    Triner’s first NFL opportunity came with the New York Jets, who signed him to a futures contract in January 2017. His initial tenure was brief, as the Jets released him on May 7, 2017, during the early stages of roster shaping. Despite the short stay, the experience marked his official entry into professional football.

    Later that year, Triner signed with the Green Bay Packers practice squad on December 27, 2017. He then signed a reserve/future contract with the team on January 2, 2018, positioning him for an offseason push. However, he was waived at the end of training camp on September 1, 2018, ending his time in Green Bay but extending his professional resume.

    Tampa Bay Buccaneers Breakthrough (2019–2024)

    Triner signed a reserve/future contract with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers on January 2, 2019, and successfully made the team out of training camp. He made his NFL debut on September 8, 2019, against the San Francisco 49ers and went on to serve as the Buccaneers’ long snapper for all 16 games in his first active season. That durability established him as the team’s long-term option at the position.

    In 2020, Triner was placed on the reserve/COVID-19 list on December 15 and activated three days later, but he continued to contribute throughout the year. He played in all 16 regular season games and all four playoff games as the Buccaneers won Super Bowl LV, earning him a championship ring. Following the title run, the Buccaneers tendered him an exclusive-rights free agent offer on March 9, 2021, which he signed on April 8, 2021.

    Triner’s 2021 season was interrupted when he was placed on injured reserve on September 13 after suffering a hand injury in the season opener, but he returned to action on November 22. He re-signed with Tampa Bay on March 28, 2022, continuing his role with the franchise. On August 27, 2024, he was released after losing the starting job to Evan Deckers, though he returned on September 24 following an injury to Deckers before being released again on November 9.

    Later Career Moves (2024–2025)

    On November 25, 2024, Triner was signed to the Miami Dolphins practice squad, though he was released on December 16. In 2025, he continued to move between franchises, signing with the Seattle Seahawks on August 4 before being released on August 26 as part of final roster cuts. On April 21, 2025, the Denver Broncos signed him after a minor back injury sidelined incumbent long snapper Mitchell Fraboni during OTAs, though Triner was released on May 9 and then re-signed on May 12 before a final release on June 11.

    On November 4, 2025, Triner signed with the Atlanta Falcons practice squad, only to be released a week later on November 11. Shortly afterward, the Washington Commanders signed him to their practice squad on November 29, 2025, and elevated him to the active roster following an injury to Tyler Ott. His release by the Commanders came on December 2, 2025, continuing a stretch of late-season opportunities around the league.

    Driving Style and Strengths

    Triner’s value is rooted in consistency, accuracy, and the ability to deliver clean snaps on punts, field goals, and extra points. His background as a defensive end at Assumption gave him the strength and technique to handle blocking duties on special teams, while his lacrosse experience sharpened his hand-eye coordination. Those combined skills have helped him remain a dependable specialist across multiple organizations.

    Notable Events and Milestones

    The defining milestone of Triner’s career came with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers’ victory in Super Bowl LV, where he served as the long snapper throughout the championship run. That title cemented his place on a roster that featured one of the most accomplished quarterbacks in NFL history. His repeated signings across numerous teams also stand as a testament to his persistence and the trust placed in him by multiple special teams coaches.

    Zach Triner Career Wins

    Zach Michael Triner’s career wins are anchored by his Super Bowl LV championship with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers following the 2020 season. Beyond that team accomplishment, his on-field success is measured by sustained roster survival in one of the NFL’s most demanding specialist roles.

    Tampa Bay Buccaneers Highlights

    During his multi-year run with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, Triner played in every regular season and postseason game during the 2020 championship campaign. His reliability on special teams helped support kicker Ryan Succop and punter Bradley Pinion throughout the season. Although individual long snappers rarely accumulate traditional counting statistics, his steady presence contributed to a Super Bowl title.

    Other Wins and Performances

    At the college level, Triner contributed to a Metro Atlantic Athletic Conference championship during his freshman season with the Siena Saints lacrosse team. With the Assumption Greyhounds, he put together a productive senior season, recording 5.5 sacks and 7.5 tackles for loss while serving as the team’s long snapper. Those performances highlighted his versatility before his professional career began.

    Zach Triner Family

    Family Background and Racing Lineage

    Public information about Zach Michael Triner’s immediate family remains limited, and details about his parents or siblings are not widely documented. His upbringing in Marshfield, Massachusetts, and his path through Marshfield High School are the most documented elements of his early family environment.

    Personal Life

    Before breaking into the NFL, Triner worked for three years at Fidelity Investments selling mutual funds, training for football before and after his work hours. That chapter of his life reflects a strong work ethic and patience as he pursued his professional sports dream. Information about his spouse, children, or other personal relationships has not been publicly confirmed.

    2025 Season Performance

    The 2025 season has been a turbulent year for Zach Michael Triner, marked by repeated movement between practice squads and active rosters. He began the year with the Denver Broncos in April, was released, re-signed, and then released again in June as Mitchell Fraboni returned to health. Shortly after, he joined the Seattle Seahawks in early August but was let go during final roster cuts on August 26.

    Later in the season, Triner signed with the Atlanta Falcons practice squad on November 4, only to be released a week later on November 11. The Washington Commanders then added him to their practice squad on November 29, and elevated him to the active roster after an injury to Tyler Ott. His release on December 2, 2025, closed another late-season chapter, underscoring both his value as a dependable specialist and the volatility of his current role.