Brent Urban Bio
Brent Urban (born May 5, 1991) is a Canadian professional football defensive end for the Baltimore Ravens of the National Football League (NFL). Standing 6 feet 7 inches tall and weighing 295 pounds, he plays on the defensive line and has built a career as a rotational edge rusher and run defender. He was selected by the Baltimore Ravens in the fourth round of the 2014 NFL draft after playing college football for the Virginia Cavaliers. Urban is recognized as the 26th Canadian to be drafted into the NFL.
Brent Urban Early Life and Background
Brent Urban was born on May 5, 1991, in Mississauga, Ontario, Canada, where he grew up immersed in Canadian sports culture. Before turning to football, he was a notable player on one of the best international ice hockey teams. At age 15, he played alongside four future NHL draftees on the 2006 AAA Mississauga Ice Dogs team that won the Ontario bantam championship and went on to compete internationally. That experience on the ice helped shape his athleticism, size, and competitive drive before he shifted his focus to the gridiron.
Urban attended Lorne Park Secondary School in Mississauga, Ontario. As a freshman, he began playing Canadian football and quickly developed into a standout. As a junior, he recorded 16 tackles for loss, 10 tackles, and eight pass break-ups, earning two-time Toronto Star All-Star honors for the football team. Although he was considered only a two-star recruit by Rivals.com, his frame and potential caught the attention of college programs south of the border.
Path to American Football
Urban accepted a football scholarship from the University of Virginia, leaving Canada to pursue a career in the NCAA. As a redshirt freshman in 2010, he appeared in only three games as a backup defensive end in a 4-3 defense, after suffering a torn left ACL. The injury sidelined him for most of the year and prevented him from recording any statistics, but he remained committed to his development with the Virginia Cavaliers.
By his sophomore season in 2011, Urban was appearing in all 13 games as a backup defensive end and defensive tackle, registering 15 tackles, including 2.5 for loss, before undergoing wrist surgery at season’s end. In 2012, the Virginia coaching staff moved him to defensive tackle, where he started all 12 games and totaled 20 tackles, 2.5 for loss, two sacks, one forced fumble, and a fumble recovery returned 16 yards for a touchdown against Virginia Tech. His senior season in 2013 was cut short by a high right ankle sprain, but he still managed 40 tackles, 11.5 for loss, and nine passes broken up, leading the nation’s defensive linemen in passes defensed despite missing time. The Hamilton Tiger-Cats also selected him 15th overall in the 2013 CFL draft, holding his rights should he ever decide to play in Canada.
Brent Urban Career
Early Career (2014-2015)
Urban was selected by the Baltimore Ravens in the fourth round, 134th overall, of the 2014 NFL draft, sliding down boards because of his injury history. As a rookie, he was set to play defensive end in a 3-4 defense, but he tore his ACL in training camp and was placed on injured reserve on August 25, 2014. The Ravens remained patient with the Canadian prospect, and he returned to the field in 2015 before tearing his biceps in training camp, which again landed him on injured reserve with a designation to return.
Urban came back to the active roster on November 25, 2015, and made an immediate impact. In his first NFL game in Week 12 against the Cleveland Browns, he blocked a potential game-winning field goal as time expired, while teammate Will Hill recovered the ball and returned it for the game-winning touchdown. He finished the year appearing in the last six games as a backup defensive end, making 11 tackles and one sack.
Baltimore Ravens Breakthrough (2016-2018)
In 2016, Urban played in all 16 games as a backup defensive end for the Baltimore Ravens, recording 10 tackles, 2 sacks, and two passes defended while staying healthy for a full season. The following year, he started the first three games at right defensive end before a Lisfranc foot injury in Week 3 required surgery and ended his campaign, sending him to injured reserve on September 27, 2017. The 2017 setback tested his durability, but Urban continued to show promise when healthy.
On March 6, 2018, Urban signed a one-year contract extension with the Ravens worth $2.35 million, a significant show of confidence. He rewarded the organization by starting all 16 games at right defensive end, posting 27 combined tackles, 0.5 sacks, and two passes defensed. His first full season as a starter cemented his role as a key piece of the Baltimore defensive front.
Tennessee Titans and Chicago Bears Stints (2019-2020)
On April 26, 2019, Urban signed with the Tennessee Titans, reuniting with defensive coordinator Dean Pees, who had held the same role with the Ravens. He appeared in four games as a backup defensive end in a 3-4 defense, making four tackles and three quarterback pressures, before being released on October 19, 2019. Just two days later, on October 21, 2019, he signed with the Chicago Bears to replace injured defensive end Akiem Hicks.
Urban finished the 2019 campaign appearing in the final nine games as a backup defensive end in a 3-4 defense, tallying 16 tackles. He re-signed with the Bears on March 26, 2020, and went on to appear in 16 games, starting the last eight at defensive end in place of an injured Roy Robertson-Harris. That year, he recorded 36 tackles, 2.5 sacks, 4 quarterback hurries, and one pass defensed, showing he could produce in a starting role.
Dallas Cowboys Stop (2021)
On March 22, 2021, Urban signed a one-year deal with the Dallas Cowboys, transitioning back to defensive tackle in a 4-3 defense. His season was cut short when he was placed on injured reserve on October 26, 2021, limiting his role in Dallas. The brief tenure nevertheless demonstrated his versatility along the defensive line.
Baltimore Ravens Second Stint (2022-Present)
On May 20, 2022, Urban returned to the Baltimore Ravens, signing with the franchise that originally drafted him. After being released during the final roster cuts on August 30 in a handshake deal, he was re-signed the next day after rookie linebacker David Ojabo was placed on injured reserve. Serving as the backup behind defensive tackle Calais Campbell, Urban collected 21 tackles and one sack in 16 games, fitting seamlessly back into the defensive rotation.
On February 15, 2023, Urban re-signed with the Ravens, and he played in 17 games with three starts, recording 22 tackles and a career-high three sacks. He continued his run with the team by re-signing on March 13, 2024, and again on August 2, 2025. He was released as part of final roster cuts and re-signed to the practice squad the next day, then promoted to the active roster on September 27, 2025.
Driving Style and Strengths
Urban is known for his imposing 6-foot-7 frame, long arms, and ability to disrupt both the run and the pass from the defensive line. He has shown a knack for timely plays, including his famous blocked field goal against the Browns, and has developed into a reliable rotational piece. His experience in both 3-4 and 4-3 schemes has made him a versatile defender capable of playing multiple positions along the front.
Notable Events and Milestones
One of Brent Urban’s most memorable moments came in his first NFL game in 2015, when he blocked a potential game-winning field goal against the Cleveland Browns. He is also recognized as the 26th Canadian to be drafted into the NFL and the 15th overall pick of the 2013 CFL draft by the Hamilton Tiger-Cats. His career-best three-sack season in 2023 stands as a personal milestone in his second stint with Baltimore.
Brent Urban Career Wins
Brent Urban’s career has been defined more by durability and steady contributions than by headline-grabbing win totals, and verified sack and tackle data is summarized within his season-by-season sections. He has notched single-season sack highs of three (2023) and 2.5 (2020), and he has been part of playoff-contending defenses in Baltimore.
NFL Highlights
Urban has appeared in more than 100 NFL regular-season games across stints with the Baltimore Ravens, Tennessee Titans, Chicago Bears, and Dallas Cowboys. His first full starting season came in 2018 with Baltimore, when he posted 27 combined tackles. Most recently, he recorded 22 tackles and a career-high three sacks in 2023 while helping anchor the Ravens’ defensive front.
Brent Urban Family
Family Background and Racing Lineage
Brent Urban was raised in Mississauga, Ontario, in a household that supported his early athletic pursuits, including his standout ice hockey career. His path from AAA hockey alongside future NHL draftees to NCAA football at the University of Virginia shaped his development as an athlete.
Personal Life
Brent Urban has largely kept his personal life out of the public eye. Verified public details about his marital status, spouse, or children are not available in trusted sources.
2025 Season Performance
The 2025 season began with Brent Urban re-signing with the Baltimore Ravens on August 2, 2025, before being released as part of final roster cuts and re-signed to the practice squad the next day. He was promoted back to the active roster on September 27, 2025, rejoining a defensive line that relies on his veteran presence and rotational depth.
Throughout his second stint in Baltimore, Urban has served as a reliable backup and situational pass rusher, contributing in both run defense and third-down packages. His 2023 career-high three-sack performance underscored the kind of production he can still offer when called upon.
Looking ahead, Urban is expected to continue providing veteran leadership and depth along the Ravens’ defensive front as the team pushes for another playoff run. His familiarity with the defensive scheme, his special-teams experience, and his experience in high-pressure moments make him a steady contributor down the stretch of the 2025 season.