Ben Bredeson Bio
Ben Bredeson (born February 20, 1998) is an American professional football guard for the Tampa Bay Buccaneers of the National Football League (NFL). A former college standout at Michigan, he has played professionally since 2020 after being drafted by the Baltimore Ravens. He has also spent time with the New York Giants before joining Tampa Bay.
Bredeson was recognized as a top high school player in Wisconsin before becoming one of the most consistent offensive linemen in the Big Ten. Known for his size, technique, and football intelligence, he has built a steady career through versatile guard play across multiple NFL teams.
Early Life and Background
Ben Bredeson was born on February 20, 1998, in Hartland, Wisconsin. He is the son of Mike Bredeson, a former Illinois State center, which gave him an early connection to the sport of football. He grew up with two brothers, an older brother named Jack and a younger brother named Max, in a family environment shaped by the game.
Bredeson attended Arrowhead High School, where he made the varsity football team as a freshman. As a junior, he was selected as a first-team All-State player, and as a senior, he repeated that honor while also earning first-team All-American recognition from MaxPreps and USA Today. During his senior season, he received the Joe Thomas Award as the top offensive lineman in Wisconsin and was named the Wisconsin Gatorade Player of the Year.
Following his senior year, Bredeson was invited to the 2016 Under Armour All-America Game. After receiving 17 scholarship offers, he narrowed his choices to Alabama, Michigan, Notre Dame, Ohio State, Stanford, and Wisconsin. On June 17, 2015, he committed to play for the Michigan Wolverines.
Path to American Football
Bredeson’s path to professional football began in his hometown of Hartland, where his father’s experience as a college player laid the foundation for his development. Playing at Arrowhead High School, he quickly established himself as one of the most promising linemen in the state, earning multiple statewide honors by the end of his senior year.
His performance in high school led to invitations to elite showcases, including the Under Armour All-America Game, and a long list of college offers from top programs. His commitment to Michigan marked the transition from a regional standout to a nationally recruited prospect. The Wolverines offered him the opportunity to develop under a strong college football program, setting the stage for his professional future.
Ben Bredeson Career
College Career at Michigan (2016–2019)
Ben Bredeson joined the Michigan Wolverines in 2016 and was switched from offensive tackle to guard during his freshman season, a position he had never played in high school. He adapted quickly to the new role and became a dependable starter along the interior offensive line. His development at Michigan helped him grow into one of the top guard prospects in college football.
Following the 2017 season, Bredeson was named to the All-Big Ten offensive second-team by both the coaches and the media. He repeated that honor after the 2018 season, demonstrating steady performance across multiple years. After the 2019 season, he was elevated to the All-Big Ten offensive first-team by both the coaches and media, and was also recognized as a Second-team All-American by the Walter Camp Football Foundation.
Baltimore Ravens Era (2020)
Ben Bredeson was selected by the Baltimore Ravens in the fourth round (143rd overall) of the 2020 NFL Draft. During his rookie season, he appeared in 10 games, mostly in a reserve and special teams role, and was a healthy scratch in several early weeks. His limited playing time reflected a crowded offensive line and his ongoing adjustment to professional football.
On January 9, 2021, Bredeson was placed on injured reserve, ending his rookie campaign. Despite the limited role, his draft position and college résumé gave him a foundation to pursue a larger opportunity elsewhere.
New York Giants Era (2021–2023)
On August 31, 2021, Bredeson was traded to the New York Giants along with a 2022 fifth-round pick and a 2023 seventh-round pick in exchange for a 2022 fourth-round pick. He made his Giants debut in Week 2 against the Washington Football Team after an injury to Nick Gates, and in Week 3 he made his first career start against the Atlanta Falcons before suffering a hand injury.
Bredeson was named the starting left guard in Week 1 of the 2022 season after Shane Lemieux was injured during the first preseason game. On October 29, 2022, he was placed on injured reserve with a knee injury, and he was activated on December 17. In 2023, he won the starting left guard job during training camp and started at right guard after the Giants signed Justin Pugh.
Tampa Bay Buccaneers Era (2024–Present)
On March 15, 2024, Bredeson signed with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. He was named the team’s starting left guard and started all 17 games during the 2024 season, providing steady play along the offensive line. His consistency helped solidify Tampa Bay’s interior protection.
On March 12, 2025, Bredeson signed a three-year, $22 million contract extension with the Buccaneers, locking in his role as a long-term starter. The deal reflected his value as a reliable veteran presence on the offensive line.
Playing Style and Strengths
Ben Bredeson is recognized for his physical presence, technical refinement, and positional versatility along the interior offensive line. He has experience at both left and right guard, which gives coaches flexibility in shaping their offensive line rotations. His durability and willingness to play through injuries have become defining traits of his career.
Notable Events and Milestones
Among his career highlights, Bredeson’s transition from college tackle to professional guard stands out as a defining adjustment that shaped his NFL trajectory. Winning the starting left guard job with the Buccaneers in 2024 and starting all 17 games marked a major milestone, followed by a three-year contract extension in March 2025.
Ben Bredeson Career Achievements
Across his football career, Ben Bredeson has earned recognition at every level, including statewide high school honors, multiple All-Big Ten selections at Michigan, and a Second-team All-American nod. In the NFL, he has earned starting roles with two franchises and signed a multi-year extension with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers.
College Highlights
Bredeson was a Second-team All-Big Ten selection in 2017 and 2018, and a First-team All-Big Ten selection in 2019. He was also named a Second-team All-American by the Walter Camp Football Foundation in 2019, capping a strong four-year college career at Michigan.
High School Highlights
At Arrowhead High School, Bredeson was a first-team All-State selection as both a junior and senior, and earned first-team All-American honors from MaxPreps and USA Today. He also won the Joe Thomas Award and the Wisconsin Gatorade Player of the Year as a senior, and was invited to the 2016 Under Armour All-America Game.
Ben Bredeson Family
Family Background and Football Lineage
Ben Bredeson is the son of Mike Bredeson, a former center at Illinois State, giving him direct ties to organized football through his father. He has two brothers, an older brother named Jack and a younger brother named Max, and the family has been closely associated with the sport throughout his upbringing.
Personal Life
Bredeson was raised in Hartland, Wisconsin, and continues his professional career as an American football guard. He is publicly identified as a dedicated professional athlete whose career has carried him from Wisconsin to multiple NFL cities.
2025 Season Outlook
Heading into 2025, Ben Bredeson enters his second season with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers as the established starting left guard. After starting all 17 games in 2024, he has solidified himself as a key piece of the offensive line and a leader in the locker room.
On March 12, 2025, Bredeson signed a three-year, $22 million contract extension, signaling the Buccaneers’ long-term commitment to his role. With continuity along the offensive line, expectations remain high for steady protection and consistent run blocking.
As the 2025 season unfolds, Bredeson’s experience, durability, and positional versatility are expected to remain central to Tampa Bay’s offensive strategy. His growth as a veteran leader is likely to influence the development of younger linemen around him.