For the past seven years, the Raiders have fielded the same kicker and punter. And for the last three years they’ve had the same kick squad trio of kicker Daniel Carlson, punter AJ Cole, and long snapper Jacob Bobenmoyer. But it looks like that trio could be breaking up this offseason.

Cole was given a long term extension prior to this past season. Meanwhile Carlson and Bobenmoyer are both set to become free agents this March. The team had every opportunity to re-sign either or both of them. just as they did Cole, but opted not to do that.

If the team were to sign Carlson back, you’d have to figure they would sign Bobenmoyer as well, just to keep the band together for continuity purposes.

Tuesday, the team signed long snapper Alex Ward on a reserve/futures contract, signaling they are prepared to let Bobenmoyer go, which, in turn, would suggest they are preparing to let Carlson go as well.

Ward spent the past three seasons with the LA Rams. He was waived last November, which is why he’s signing with the Raiders instead of preparing to play in the NFC Championship game right now.

The three-year veteran went undrafted out of Central Florida where he was the long snapper for three years.

There is no guarantee he will be the team’s long snapper going forward, but the mere fact they have added him suggests a change at the position is coming.

This article originally appeared on Raiders Wire: Raiders latest signing could signal end for longtime kick squad