Alex Erickson Bio
Alex Michael Erickson (born November 6, 1992) is an American professional football wide receiver and return specialist who has built a long NFL career as an undrafted free agent. He played college football for the Wisconsin Badgers before signing with the Cincinnati Bengals in 2016. Over the years, Erickson has also been a member of the Houston Texans, Carolina Panthers, Washington Commanders, New York Jets, Los Angeles Chargers, and New England Patriots, establishing himself as a dependable special teams contributor.
Early Life and Background
Alex Michael Erickson was born on November 6, 1992, in Darlington, Wisconsin, a small community in the southwestern part of the state. He grew up in Darlington and attended Darlington High School, where he became one of the most versatile athletes in the area. At Darlington, Erickson was a true dual-threat player, lining up as a quarterback, running back, receiver, and defensive back throughout his prep career.
Across his high school career, Erickson rushed for 3,856 yards and 57 touchdowns and added 3,648 passing yards with 37 touchdowns through the air. He also contributed defensively, recording 170 tackles and 14 interceptions. As a senior, he was selected to play in the WFCA All-Star game and was named the Wisconsin State Journal Small School Player of the Year. He earned first-team all-state honors as a defensive back and first-team all-conference recognition at both quarterback and defensive back.
Path to American Football
Erickson’s path to college football began with a strong senior season in which he produced 2,489 yards of total offense, scored 33 touchdowns, and added 50 tackles with three interceptions. That production drew the attention of the Wisconsin Badgers, who brought him into their program. His high school experience as a multi-position athlete gave him the foundation he would later lean on as a returner and receiver at the next level.
At Wisconsin, Erickson lettered three seasons and developed into one of the program’s most productive pass catchers. He finished his college career ranked 10th in school history with 1,877 receiving yards and sixth all-time with 141 receptions. His steady growth within a competitive Big Ten Conference program prepared him for a professional opportunity, even though he was not among the players selected in the 2016 NFL Draft.
Alex Erickson Career
Early Career (2016)
Alex Michael Erickson signed with the Cincinnati Bengals as an undrafted free agent in 2016 and quickly proved his value on special teams. He was the only undrafted free agent to make the Bengals’ final roster that year, an early sign of the trust the coaching staff placed in him. He opened his rookie season as the team’s primary kick returner and punt returner while serving as a backup receiver.
Erickson’s 2016 production was centered on returns. He averaged 27.9 yards per kickoff return and 7.0 yards per punt return, finishing the year with six catches for 71 receiving yards. His 810 kickoff return yards led the NFL in that category, a notable achievement for a first-year player who entered the league without a draft selection.
Cincinnati Bengals Breakthrough (2016–2020)
Over his second season with the Cincinnati Bengals, Erickson took on a larger role in the offense. On November 19, 2017, he recorded his first NFL touchdown, scoring on a 29-yard pass from Andy Dalton during a 20–17 victory over the Denver Broncos. He finished 2017 with 12 receptions for 180 receiving yards and one receiving touchdown, while also adding 32 kick returns for 663 net yards and 39 punt returns for 278 net yards.
On September 8, 2018, Erickson signed a two-year contract extension with the Bengals through the 2020 season, a clear indication of how the organization viewed his long-term role. He posted 20 receptions for 187 receiving yards in 2018 and then had his most productive year as a receiver in 2019. On October 20, 2019, he recorded his first career 100-yard receiving game with 137 yards against the Jacksonville Jaguars, finishing that season with 43 receptions for 529 receiving yards.
Later Teams and Journeyman Years (2021–2025)
After his time in Cincinnati, Erickson began a stretch of moves across the league. He signed with the Houston Texans on March 30, 2021, was released on August 31, 2021, and joined the Carolina Panthers practice squad on September 6, 2021, signing to their active roster a week later. In 2022, he signed with the Washington Commanders on May 4, was waived on August 30, and re-signed to the practice squad the following day before landing a reserve/future contract on January 9, 2023.
Erickson’s travels continued in 2023. He signed with the New York Jets on July 20, 2023, was released on August 29, 2023, and was then signed to the Los Angeles Chargers practice squad on August 31, 2023, before being elevated to the active roster on December 2, 2023. On December 18, 2024, the New England Patriots signed him to their practice squad. Most recently, on January 15, 2025, Erickson was signed to the Houston Texans practice squad, beginning his second stint with that organization.
Driving Style and Strengths
Erickson’s professional value has always rested on special teams rather than a featured role in any offense. His track-type strengths include field-flipping kickoff returns, reliable hands in the return game, and the versatility to step into a rotational receiver role when needed. His approach has been built on dependability, route discipline, and an understanding of the small details that keep him on an active roster year after year.
Notable Events and Milestones
Among Alex Michael Erickson’s most notable achievements, his 2016 NFL kickoff return yards title stands out as a signature milestone. He also earned first-team All-Big Ten recognition in 2015 during his senior season at Wisconsin, along with Academic All-Big Ten honors for the third consecutive year. His first NFL touchdown against the Denver Broncos in 2017 and his first 100-yard receiving game against the Jacksonville Jaguars in 2019 mark the defining offensive moments of his career to this point.
Alex Erickson Career Wins
As a wide receiver and return specialist, Alex Michael Erickson’s career has been measured less in championship trophies and more in personal milestones and statistical achievements. His most celebrated accomplishment remains the 2016 NFL kickoff return yards title, when his 810 return yards paced the entire league. That single-season honor has been the headline line on his professional resume, complemented by his All-Big Ten recognition in college.
Cincinnati Bengals Highlights
During his five seasons with the Cincinnati Bengals, Erickson established himself as a steady returner and a serviceable complementary receiver. His first NFL touchdown came on a 29-yard pass from Andy Dalton in 2017, and he added his first 100-yard receiving game in 2019 against the Jacksonville Jaguars with 137 yards. He signed a two-year contract extension through the 2020 season, underscoring the franchise’s confidence in his special-teams value.
Other Wins and Performances
Beyond Cincinnati, Erickson has pieced together a journeyman career that includes practice-squad and active-roster stints with the Houston Texans, Carolina Panthers, Washington Commanders, New York Jets, Los Angeles Chargers, New England Patriots, and a return to the Houston Texans in 2025. While team-level championship success has not been part of his resume, his longevity and repeated calls from NFL organizations reflect a player whose reliability is itself a recognized performance marker.
Alex Erickson Family
Family Background and Racing Lineage
Public details about Alex Michael Erickson’s parents and broader family background are not widely documented in verified sources. What is clear is that he grew up in Darlington, Wisconsin, and built his athletic foundation in that small-town setting before going on to play for the Wisconsin Badgers. His multi-sport prep background suggests a household and community that supported competitive athletics from an early age.
Personal Life
Alex Michael Erickson is married, having wed in 2017. He graduated from the University of Wisconsin in December 2015 with a bachelor’s degree in agricultural business management, reflecting an academic path that complemented his football career. He has continued to live and train in the United States as a working professional athlete.
2025 Season Performance
The 2025 NFL calendar year began with Alex Michael Erickson signing to the Houston Texans practice squad on January 15, 2025, marking his return to a second stint with that organization. Coming off a 2024 season in which he spent time on the New England Patriots practice squad, Erickson entered 2025 looking to carve out another opportunity on an active roster. His role with the Texans practice squad placed him in position to be called up as a returner or depth receiver if injuries or roster needs opened a spot.
Throughout his career, Erickson has built a reputation for being ready whenever his number is called, and the 2025 outlook is shaped by that same expectation. With years of experience returning kicks and punts and a track record of dependable special-teams play, he remained a candidate for late-season elevation. Practice-squad standouts often earn a chance to contribute on game days when offenses or special teams need a steady hand.
Looking ahead, the 2025 storyline for Erickson centers on whether he can translate his practice-squad role into active-roster production and add to his list of NFL teams. His experience across multiple schemes and coaching staffs gives him flexibility, while his 2016 kickoff return title serves as a reminder of the kind of impact he can deliver when given a full opportunity. The season will measure whether that next chapter closes with another stop on a long and resilient professional journey.