Alex Singleton Bio
Alex Reed Singleton is a Canadian-American professional football linebacker for the Denver Broncos of the National Football League (NFL). Born in Thousand Oaks, California, and holding dual citizenship through his mother, Singleton has built his career across the NFL and the Canadian Football League (CFL), establishing himself as one of the most reliable tacklers in the league.
After going undrafted out of Montana State in 2015, Singleton spent time on practice squads before finding his footing in the CFL with the Calgary Stampeders, where he earned multiple awards and a Grey Cup championship. He later returned to the NFL with the Philadelphia Eagles before joining the Denver Broncos, where he has continued to produce at a high level.
Early Life and Background
Alex Reed Singleton was born on December 7, 1993, in Thousand Oaks, California. He grew up in the Thousand Oaks area and attended Thousand Oaks High School, where he played football and developed the work ethic that would carry him through his professional career. His mother was born in Toronto, a connection that would later prove important when Singleton pursued opportunities north of the border.
Singleton played college football for the Montana State Bobcats, a program competing in the Big Sky Conference. His performance at Montana State earned him First-team All-Big Sky honors in 2014, signaling his potential as a professional prospect despite his eventual undrafted status. He finished his college career having established himself as a dependable and physical linebacker.
Path to American Football
Singleton’s path to the professional ranks was unconventional. After going unselected in the 2015 NFL draft, he signed as an undrafted free agent with the Seattle Seahawks, beginning a journey that would take him through several organizations across two countries. His early stops included short stints with the New England Patriots and the Minnesota Vikings practice squad, giving him a taste of the league’s demands and roster realities.
Seeking a more stable opportunity, Singleton turned to the CFL. In October 2015, he acquired a Canadian passport through his mother’s birth in Toronto, qualifying him for dual citizenship. The Calgary Stampeders selected him with the sixth overall pick in the 2016 CFL draft, and he signed with the team on May 17, 2016, making his debut on June 25, 2016, against the BC Lions. The CFL rules at the time allowed Singleton to be counted as a Canadian national player, opening the door for his professional career in Canada.
Alex Singleton Career
Early Career (2015-2016)
Singleton signed a three-year contract worth $1,578,500 with the Seattle Seahawks on May 8, 2015, receiving a $3,500 signing bonus. He was released on September 5, 2015, and three days later joined the New England Patriots’ practice squad before being released on September 15. On December 22, 2015, the Minnesota Vikings signed him to their practice squad, where he remained until being released on April 13, 2016.
His CFL debut with the Calgary Stampeders marked a turning point. Over his first season in 2016, Singleton played in all 18 regular season games and two playoff games, recording 65 defensive tackles, 9 special teams tackles, and 3 forced fumbles. His immediate impact made him one of the Stampeders’ important defensive players.
Calgary Stampeders Breakthrough (2016-2018)
Singleton’s second CFL season in 2017 elevated his profile significantly. On November 1, 2017, he was announced as the Stampeders’ nominee for the CFL’s Most Outstanding Defensive Player, Most Outstanding Canadian, and Most Outstanding Player awards, sweeping all votes in the defensive and Canadian player categories. His 121 tackles going into week 20 of the CFL season were already the most in Calgary Stampeders history. That year, he won the Most Outstanding Defensive Player Award and the Norm Fieldgate Trophy, and was named a CFL All-Star.
Singleton’s 2018 season matched the previous year with 123 tackles, and he added 6 special teams tackles, 2 forced fumbles, and a second CFL All-Star selection. His dominant play helped the Stampeders capture the 2018 Grey Cup championship, cementing his status as one of the CFL’s top defenders. On January 7, 2019, the Stampeders released Singleton so he could pursue NFL opportunities.
Philadelphia Eagles Era (2019-2021)
On January 7, 2019, Singleton signed with the Philadelphia Eagles alongside CFL teammate Marken Michel. After brief movement between the practice squad and active roster, he broke out in 2020, recording his first career interception and returning it for a 30-yard touchdown against the San Francisco 49ers. He finished the 2020 season as the Eagles’ leading tackler with 120, earning additional pay through performance-based incentives.
In 2021, Singleton was voted a team captain and again led the Eagles in tackles with 137, the most by an Eagle in a single season since Byron Evans in 1992. He recorded his second career pick-six against the New York Giants and added 16 tackles in a wild card playoff loss to the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. His two-year run in Philadelphia established him as a high-volume, dependable tackler at the NFL level.
Denver Broncos Era (2022-Present)
On March 18, 2022, Singleton signed a one-year contract with the Denver Broncos reportedly worth $1.1 million guaranteed with $750,000 in playing time incentives, reuniting him with quarterback Russell Wilson. In a Week 6 game against the Los Angeles Chargers, Singleton recorded 19 solo tackles and 21 combined tackles, tying Derrick Brooks for the second-most solo tackles in a single game in NFL history. He finished the 2022 season ranked fifth in combined tackles with 163.
On March 13, 2023, Singleton signed a three-year, $18 million contract extension with $9 million guaranteed. In 2024, he was voted a team captain and intercepted a pass from Geno Smith on the opening drive of the Broncos’ Week 1 game against the Seattle Seahawks. In Week 3 against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, Singleton ruptured his ACL but played every defensive snap for the rest of the game before being placed on season-ending injured reserve on September 25.
Driving Style and Strengths
Singleton is recognized for his high-volume tackling, sideline-to-sideline pursuit, and durability. He has consistently ranked among the league leaders in combined tackles, demonstrating the instincts and range expected of a middle linebacker. His preparation and football intelligence have earned him the trust of teammates and coaching staffs, as reflected in his multiple captaincy selections.
Notable Events and Milestones
Among Singleton’s signature moments are his 2018 Grey Cup championship with the Calgary Stampeders, his 2020 pick-six against the San Francisco 49ers, and his record-tying 19 solo tackles in a single game against the Los Angeles Chargers in 2022. He is also one of only a handful of players to record 120 or more tackles in multiple NFL seasons, a testament to his consistency and production at the heart of a defense.
Alex Singleton Career Wins
Alex Reed Singleton has compiled a winning resume across both the CFL and NFL, with team and individual honors at every level. His career is defined by tackling totals, team captaincies, and championship-level contributions rather than by flashy individual statistics.
CFL Highlights
Singleton won the 2018 Grey Cup championship as a member of the Calgary Stampeders. He was a two-time CFL All-Star in 2017 and 2018, won the Most Outstanding Defensive Player Award in 2017, and earned the Norm Fieldgate Trophy that same season. His 2017 and 2018 seasons both produced more than 120 tackles, underscoring his role as the defensive cornerstone of the Stampeders.
Other Wins & Performances
At the collegiate level, Singleton earned First-team All-Big Sky honors in 2014 with the Montana State Bobcats. In the NFL, he led the Philadelphia Eagles in tackles in both 2020 and 2021 and was voted a team captain in Philadelphia in 2021 and with the Denver Broncos in 2024. His performance-based pay earnings and contract extensions reflect his consistent value to winning organizations.
Alex Singleton Family
Family Background and Racing Lineage
Alex Reed Singleton was born and raised in Thousand Oaks, California, where he attended Thousand Oaks High School. His mother was born in Toronto, granting him Canadian citizenship and eventually shaping his professional opportunities in the CFL. Beyond these verifiable details, additional information about his immediate family is not publicly confirmed.
Personal Life
Singleton holds Canadian-American dual citizenship and has been a public figure in both the United States and Canada through his professional football career. On November 3, 2025, Singleton was diagnosed with testicular cancer after a random drug test revealed an elevated human chorionic gonadotropin level. He underwent surgery to remove the cancer on November 7, 2025. Information about his marital status, spouse, or children is not publicly confirmed.
2025 Season Performance
Singleton entered the 2025 season as a defensive captain for the Denver Broncos, coming off a 2024 campaign in which he recorded an interception in the opener before suffering a season-ending ACL injury in Week 3. His recovery and return to the field were central storylines for the Broncos’ defense.
Off the field, Singleton faced a significant personal challenge in November 2025 when he was diagnosed with testicular cancer. His prompt diagnosis, surgery, and continued involvement with the team have been noted as a testament to his resilience. The Broncos and their fan base have rallied around him as he continues his recovery.
Looking ahead, Singleton remains under contract with the Broncos through the 2026 season following his three-year, $18 million extension signed in 2023. His leadership, tackling production, and veteran presence are expected to remain central to Denver’s defensive identity as the team continues its pursuit of postseason success.