Even though the San Francisco 49ers are out of the playoff picture, a few former Niners still have a shot to make their mark on the postseason. And one of them-long-snapper Taybor Pepper-is keeping the door open, even if it’s just a crack.
Pepper, who hasn’t been on an NFL roster this season, took to social media with a post that was part hopeful, part tongue-in-cheek: “It’s highly improbable, but not impossible that I could play in the Super Bowl in SF this year lol.”
That’s a long shot, sure-but not entirely out of the question.
When asked how that could even happen, Pepper explained that he could potentially be signed as an emergency long-snapper by a playoff team. And if you know anything about the role of a long-snapper, you know it’s one of the most overlooked yet essential jobs on the field. It’s not flashy, it’s not glamorous, but when it goes wrong, everybody notices.
Pepper’s point is simple: all it takes is one injury, and suddenly a team is in desperate need of someone who can reliably deliver a perfect snap in the biggest moments of the season. The odds are slim-he admits that himself-but then again, so were the odds of the 49ers finishing 12-5 this year given the wave of injuries they dealt with. This season has had its share of surprises.
Pepper’s journey through the NFL has been anything but conventional. After bouncing around practice squads and tryouts, he finally found a home in San Francisco from 2020 to 2024. He carved out a role as a dependable special teamer, the kind of guy who doesn’t make headlines but earns the trust of coaches and teammates alike.
His run with the 49ers came to an end after the 2024 season when the team brought in a new special teams coordinator, Brant Boyer, who opted to go with veteran Jon Weeks at the long-snapper spot. It was a tough break for Pepper, who had become a familiar and respected presence in the locker room.
His departure followed a minor sideline dust-up with wide receiver Deebo Samuel during a game in which kicker Jake Moody was struggling. Emotions ran high, and Pepper-always one to speak his mind-didn’t hold back.
Now, as the Super Bowl approaches in Santa Clara, the idea of Pepper suiting up again-even in a backup role-feels like a long shot. But it would be a fitting twist in a season full of them. And with the game being held on his old home turf, the story practically writes itself.
Of course, don’t expect the Rams to be making that call anytime soon. Pepper hasn’t exactly hidden his feelings about L.A., especially after calling them out for allegedly piping in crowd noise during the 2022 NFC Championship Game.
Still, in a league where contingency plans are everything, having a reliable emergency long-snapper isn’t the worst idea. And if a team finds itself in need, Pepper’s phone is clearly on.