Ben Sims

    0

    Ben Sims Bio

    Ben Sims (born May 16, 2000) is an American professional football tight end for the Minnesota Vikings of the National Football League (NFL). Standing 6 feet 5 inches tall and listed at 113 kilograms, he plays the tight end position and is known for his red-zone production during his college years. Sims previously spent time with the Green Bay Packers after beginning his professional career as an undrafted free agent.

    Sims played college football for the Baylor Bears, where he became one of the most productive tight ends in program history. After going unselected in the 2023 NFL Draft, he signed with the Minnesota Vikings and later joined the Packers, establishing himself as a depth tight end with starting potential.

    Early Life and Background

    Ben Sims was born on May 16, 2000, in San Antonio, Texas, United States. He grew up in the San Antonio area and attended Clark High School, where he developed into a college-level tight end prospect. His size and hands made him a reliable target at the high school level, drawing attention from multiple college programs.

    As a senior at Clark High School, Sims totaled 24 catches for 444 yards and seven touchdowns while playing tight end. He was ranked a three-star recruit and was listed by ESPN as the 28th-best tight end nationally in his class. That recruitment profile helped him secure scholarship offers from several programs across the country.

    Sims ultimately committed to play college football for the Baylor Bears over other offers, including from Auburn, Arizona State, and Texas Tech. His decision to join Baylor set the stage for a five-season college career that would rewrite portions of the program’s record book at the tight end position.

    Path to American Football

    Sims arrived at Baylor as part of a tight end group that would develop over several seasons. He spent his first year on campus in 2018 as a true freshman, during which he redshirted while appearing in three games. The following season, Sims saw action in eight contests while continuing to adjust to the college game and refine his route-running and blocking responsibilities.

    By 2020, Sims had earned a starting role for the Bears. He posted 14 receptions for 164 yards and tied for the team lead with three receiving touchdowns. His first collegiate score was notable on its own: it marked the first touchdown by a Baylor tight end since 2017, ending a long drought at the position for the program.

    Ben Sims Career

    Early Career (2019–2020)

    Sims’s early collegiate work centered on building a foundation as both a blocker and a pass catcher. After a redshirt freshman year in which he appeared in eight games, he took over as a starter in 2020 and delivered steady production. His role expanded into a reliable short-yardage and red-zone target for the Baylor offense.

    During the 2020 season, Sims tied for the team lead in receiving touchdowns and finished with 14 catches. The experience of starting a full college season prepared him for a larger role in the years that followed and helped him earn recognition within the Big 12 Conference.

    Baylor Breakthrough (2021–2022)

    Sims produced his breakout season in 2021, finishing with 31 catches for 361 yards and nine receiving touchdowns. His nine scores set a single-season record for receiving touchdowns by a tight end in Baylor history. For his performance that year, he was named honorable mention all-conference by the Big 12.

    Sims returned to Baylor for a final season in 2022, again posting 31 receptions for 255 yards. He was named honorable mention all-conference for the second straight year and was also recognized as second-team All-Texas. Across his five college seasons, Sims finished as Baylor’s all-time leader in touchdowns by a tight end with 12, while ranking second in receptions (78) and fourth in receiving yards (785) at the position.

    After his senior year, Sims was invited to the NFLPA Collegiate Bowl, where he scored a touchdown. That all-star appearance helped showcase his skill set ahead of the 2023 NFL Draft, even though he ultimately went unselected.

    Minnesota Vikings Era (2023)

    Following the 2023 NFL Draft, Sims signed with the Minnesota Vikings as an undrafted free agent. During the preseason, he caught three passes for 53 yards, including a long reception of 33 yards. He was waived at the final roster cuts on August 29, 2023, clearing him to pursue opportunities elsewhere.

    Green Bay Packers Era (2023–2025)

    On August 31, 2023, Sims was claimed off waivers by the Green Bay Packers, joining a tight end room that also included Tucker Kraft and Luke Musgrave. He carved out a role as a depth tight end and special teams contributor during his time in Green Bay.

    In Week 13 of the 2023 season, Sims caught his first NFL touchdown, a pass from quarterback Jordan Love, during a home win over the Kansas City Chiefs. He celebrated the score with a Lambeau Leap, marking a memorable milestone in his rookie campaign. On October 25, 2025, Sims was waived by the Packers.

    Minnesota Vikings (2025–Present)

    On October 27, 2025, Sims was claimed off waivers by the Minnesota Vikings, returning to the organization that originally signed him as an undrafted free agent. The move reunited him with the team that had first brought him into the league and gave him a fresh opportunity to contribute.

    Driving Style and Strengths

    Sims fits the mold of a traditional in-line tight end, using his 6-foot-5 frame to win in contested-catch situations and to provide an effective blocking presence in the run game. His college production, particularly in the red zone, highlighted his ability to finish plays near the goal line. As he has moved between rosters, his role has centered on depth tight end duties, special teams work, and situational offense.

    Notable Events and Milestones

    Among the signature moments of Sims’s career is his first NFL touchdown in 2023 against the Kansas City Chiefs, which he punctuated with a Lambeau Leap. He also set Baylor’s all-time record for receiving touchdowns by a tight end with 12 scores, and he posted the single-season program mark with nine touchdowns in 2021. His invitation to the NFLPA Collegiate Bowl added another milestone to his pre-professional résumé.

    Ben Sims Career Wins

    Ben Sims’s career highlights include his single-season record of nine receiving touchdowns for a Baylor tight end in 2021 and his status as Baylor’s all-time leader in touchdowns by a tight end with 12. At the professional level, he has contributed as a depth tight end and special teams player for the Green Bay Packers and Minnesota Vikings, including a first career NFL touchdown in 2023.

    NCAA Highlights

    During his time at Baylor, Sims totaled 78 receptions for 785 yards and 12 touchdowns across five seasons. His 2021 campaign stands out as his most productive, with 31 catches, 361 yards, and a program-record nine scores. He closed his college career with another 31-reception season in 2022 and earned second-team All-Texas honors that year.

    Other Wins and Performances

    Sims scored a touchdown in the NFLPA Collegiate Bowl following his senior season at Baylor. In his first NFL preseason with the Vikings in 2023, he averaged more than 17 yards per reception across three catches, including a 33-yard gain.

    Ben Sims Family

    Family Background and Racing Lineage

    Public information about Ben Sims’s family background is limited. He grew up in San Antonio, Texas, and attended Clark High School, where his development as a tight end attracted college scholarship offers.

    Personal Life

    Verified details about Sims’s personal life, including marital status and children, are not publicly confirmed in available sources. He continues his professional football career with the Minnesota Vikings as of 2025.

    2025 Season Performance

    Ben Sims’s 2025 season began with the Green Bay Packers, where he continued in a depth tight end role. On October 25, 2025, he was waived by Green Bay as part of midseason roster adjustments. Just two days later, on October 27, 2025, Sims was claimed off waivers by the Minnesota Vikings, returning to the franchise that originally signed him as an undrafted free agent in 2023.

    The midseason move to Minnesota offered Sims a fresh opportunity to compete for playing time in a tight end room he knows from his first professional training camp. His prior familiarity with the Vikings’ system may help him contribute quickly on offense and special teams.

    Looking ahead, Sims will look to carve out a defined role within the Vikings’ tight end group during the second half of the 2025 season. With his red-zone experience and blocking ability, he has the tools to push for situational snaps as the season progresses.