Chase McLaughlin Bio
Chase Joseph McLaughlin (mək-LOK-lin; born April 9, 1996) is an American professional football placekicker for the Tampa Bay Buccaneers of the National Football League (NFL). Standing 6 feet 0 inches tall and weighing approximately 190 pounds, he has built a career on accuracy from long range and quick turnarounds between practice squads and active rosters. Since entering the league in 2019, McLaughlin has been a member of nine teams, including second stints with two organizations, establishing himself as one of the most-traveled kickers of his era.
A native of Cypress, Texas, McLaughlin played his college football at the University of Illinois before reaching the professional ranks. Known for a strong leg and consistency on extra points, he earned Big Ten Kicker of the Year honors and a First-team All-Big Ten selection during his senior season.
Early Life and Background
Chase Joseph McLaughlin was born on April 9, 1996, in Cypress, Texas. He grew up in the Houston metropolitan area, a region widely recognized for producing top football talent at every level. McLaughlin attended Cypress Woods High School, where he began developing the leg strength and accuracy that would later define his professional career. His early exposure to competitive football in Southeast Texas helped shape his approach to the kicking game.
Although McLaughlin’s parents and family details have remained largely private, his upbringing in a football-rich environment provided a strong foundation. He focused on the placekicking trade, working on technique and range from a young age, and that dedication led him to continue his playing career at the collegiate level. His Texas roots are often cited as an influence on his strong performance in outdoor and warm-weather conditions.
Path to American Football
McLaughlin joined the University of Illinois as a walk-on, a path that demanded persistence and patience. During his time with the Illinois Fighting Illini, he steadily earned the starting kicker role through consistent practice performance. By his senior season, McLaughlin had become a reliable scoring threat and a key special teams contributor for the program.
His senior year produced several milestones. McLaughlin went 4 for 6 on field goals beyond 50 yards and completed every one of his 79 career extra point attempts. He was named the 2019 Bakken-Andersen Kicker of the Year and earned First-team All-Big Ten Conference recognition. During a 2018 contest against South Florida, he became the first Illinois kicker to make field goals of at least 50 yards in three consecutive games, later setting a school record with five 50-plus-yard field goals in a season. These accomplishments positioned him for an NFL opportunity despite going undrafted in 2019.
Chase McLaughlin Career
Early Career (2019)
After going undrafted in the 2019 NFL Draft, McLaughlin signed with the Buffalo Bills as an undrafted free agent. He was waived on August 31, 2019, before the regular season began. Shortly after, on September 1, 2019, the Minnesota Vikings signed him to their practice squad, only to release him nine days later.
McLaughlin’s first regular-season action came with the San Francisco 49ers after Robbie Gould suffered a quad injury. He made three of four field goal attempts in a Week 10 overtime loss to the Seattle Seahawks, including a 47-yard kick with one second left in regulation that forced overtime. He missed a kick in overtime that would have given San Francisco the win, and was waived on December 3, 2019. On December 4, 2019, he was claimed off waivers by the Indianapolis Colts to replace an injured Adam Vinatieri, and he signed a one-year extension on December 30, 2019.
Los Angeles Chargers (2019)
Before joining the 49ers, McLaughlin had a brief stint with the Los Angeles Chargers. He signed on October 1, 2019, to cover for the injured Michael Badgley and to give relief to punter Ty Long, who had been handling kicking duties. McLaughlin remained with the Chargers until being waived on October 29, 2019, after Badgley was ready to return.
Indianapolis Colts and Jacksonville Jaguars (2020)
McLaughlin was waived by the Colts during final roster cuts on September 5, 2020. He returned to the Vikings’ practice squad on September 8, 2020, before being signed off that squad by the Jacksonville Jaguars on November 10, 2020, to replace the injured Josh Lambo. McLaughlin was placed on the reserve/COVID-19 list on November 24 and activated six days later. The Jaguars waived him on December 12, 2020, after promoting Aldrick Rosas to the active roster.
New York Jets (2020-2021)
On December 14, 2020, McLaughlin was claimed off waivers by the New York Jets. On January 2, 2021, he was promoted to full-time starter after the Jets released Sam Ficken. McLaughlin finished the 2020 season as the Jets’ primary kicker. He was waived on May 7, 2021, as the team moved in a different direction during the offseason.
Cleveland Browns (2021-2022)
McLaughlin was claimed off waivers by the Cleveland Browns on May 10, 2021. In Week 3 against the Chicago Bears, he made all four field goal attempts, including a 57-yarder, and converted both of his extra points. He finished the 2021 season converting 36 of 37 extra point attempts and 15 of 21 field goal attempts. McLaughlin re-signed with the Browns on April 5, 2022, but was waived on May 2, 2022.
Indianapolis Colts Return (2022)
McLaughlin rejoined the Indianapolis Colts practice squad on September 13, 2022, after the team released Rodrigo Blankenship. He was promoted to the active roster on October 4, 2022. In Week 5, he made all four field goals, including two over 50 yards, in a 12-9 overtime road victory over the Denver Broncos, earning AFC Special Teams Player of the Week honors. He finished the 2022 season converting all 21 extra point attempts and 30 of 36 field goal attempts.
Tampa Bay Buccaneers Era (2023-Present)
On March 30, 2023, McLaughlin signed with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers and was named the team’s placekicker at the start of the 2023 season following the release of Rodrigo Blankenship. On March 11, 2024, he signed a three-year, $12.3 million contract extension with the Buccaneers, cementing his role as the long-term solution at kicker. The extension runs through the 2026 season and is valued at $4.1 million in base terms.
McLaughlin’s 2025 campaign produced memorable moments. On September 28, 2025, during a Week 4 home game versus the Philadelphia Eagles, he set the Buccaneer franchise record with a 65-yard field goal to end the first half, which also stood as the longest field goal made in an outdoor stadium. In Week 8, he kicked three field goals over 50 yards in a 23-3 win over the New Orleans Saints, earning NFC Special Teams Player of the Week honors.
Driving Style and Strengths
As a placekicker, McLaughlin’s signature strength is his long-range accuracy. He has consistently converted field goals from beyond 50 yards throughout his career, including a school-record five 50-plus-yard kicks at Illinois and a 65-yarder for Tampa Bay in 2025. His reliability on extra points and his calm approach in high-pressure situations have made him a dependable scoring option for the Buccaneers.
Notable Events and Milestones
McLaughlin’s career is defined by resilience and a strong leg. His 65-yard field goal against the Eagles in 2025 stands as the most significant milestone of his professional career, setting both a Buccaneers franchise record and the mark for the longest field goal in an outdoor stadium. Earlier in his career, his late-game heroics with the 49ers, Browns, and Colts helped establish his reputation as a clutch kicker.
Chase McLaughlin Career Wins
Chase McLaughlin’s career has been built on steady performance rather than championship hardware, as kickers are evaluated by accuracy and consistency. Over the course of multiple teams, he has produced key game-winning kicks and consistent scoring, including multiple Player of the Week honors at the conference level.
NFL Career Highlights
McLaughlin has recorded standout performances with the San Francisco 49ers, Cleveland Browns, Indianapolis Colts, and Tampa Bay Buccaneers. Notable highlights include a 57-yard field goal against the Chicago Bears in 2021, a four-for-four performance against the Denver Broncos in 2022, and his record-setting 65-yard kick in 2025. He has earned both AFC and NFC Special Teams Player of the Week recognition during his career.
Other Performances
At the college level, McLaughlin earned Big Ten Kicker of the Year and First-team All-Big Ten honors in 2018. His perfect 79-for-79 mark on extra points at Illinois remains a notable achievement in the program’s history.
Chase McLaughlin Family
Family Background and Personal Life
Chase Joseph McLaughlin was raised in Cypress, Texas. Details about his parents and immediate family have not been widely publicized, though his Texas upbringing is often noted as a key part of his story.
Personal Life
McLaughlin is married to his wife, Jess, and the couple has three children. They currently reside in Tampa, Florida, where he plays for the Buccaneers.
2025 Season Performance
The 2025 NFL season has been a defining one for Chase Joseph McLaughlin. His Buccaneers campaign featured the historic 65-yard field goal against the Philadelphia Eagles in Week 4, which set franchise and outdoor-stadium records. He followed that with three field goals over 50 yards in a Week 8 win over the New Orleans Saints, earning NFC Special Teams Player of the Week.
McLaughlin’s accuracy throughout the season has reinforced his value to Tampa Bay. The three-year contract extension signed in March 2024 has given him long-term security, and his performance has justified the Buccaneers’ investment. As the season progresses, McLaughlin remains a key component of the team’s special teams unit and a steady scoring threat.
Looking ahead, McLaughlin’s role with the Buccaneers appears secure through at least the 2026 season. His combination of range and accuracy makes him one of the league’s more reliable kickers, and Tampa Bay’s special teams outlook remains strong with him anchoring the kicking game.