Chris Reed Bio
Christopher Reed, known professionally as Chris Reed, is an American professional football guard born on July 22, 1992, in Cedar Rapids, Iowa. Standing 6 feet 3 inches tall and weighing around 142 kilograms, Reed has built a career as an interior offensive lineman since entering the National Football League in 2015. He first joined the league as an undrafted free agent with the Jacksonville Jaguars after a standout college career at Minnesota State University, where he was teammates with the Minnesota State Mavericks football program.
Across nearly a decade in professional football, Reed has spent time with multiple NFL organizations, including the Jacksonville Jaguars, Miami Dolphins, Carolina Panthers, Indianapolis Colts, Minnesota Vikings, Houston Texans, and the New Orleans Saints. Although he has never been a full-time starter throughout his career, he has appeared in regular-season games and remained a reliable depth piece on offensive line units. His journeyman path through the league reflects the perseverance required of undrafted players aiming to build a long professional career.
Early Life and Background
Christopher Reed was born and raised in Cedar Rapids, Iowa, where he spent his formative years developing an interest in athletics. He attended Omaha Central High School in Nebraska, where he played football and competed in track and field events. His time in high school laid the foundation for a unique athletic profile that combined football skills with elite-level throwing strength.
Reed’s dual-sport background became one of the defining features of his athletic identity. While most football prospects specialize in a single sport, he balanced weight-room training with technical throwing practice. That balance paid off once he reached college, where his raw power translated into record-setting performances on the track and field team.
Path to American Football
Reed committed to Minnesota State University, joining the Minnesota State Mavericks football program as an offensive lineman. He played left tackle during his college career while also joining the school’s track and field team as a thrower. This dual participation was rare at the collegiate level and demonstrated his exceptional physical conditioning and competitive drive.
On the gridiron, Reed developed into a reliable college offensive tackle, while his track work elevated his national profile. His path to the NFL was unconventional compared to prospects from Power Five programs, but his measurables and athleticism gave NFL teams reason to invite him to training camps after the 2015 NFL draft.
Chris Reed Career
Early Career (2015-2016)
Following the 2015 NFL draft, Christopher Reed was signed by the Jacksonville Jaguars as an undrafted free agent. He spent his first professional season on the Jaguars practice squad in 2015, where he worked to absorb the speed and complexity of the pro game. On September 3, 2016, Reed made the team’s 53-man roster, a significant milestone for any undrafted player.
During the 2016 season, he played in 10 games with four starts before being placed on injured reserve on December 23, 2016, with a toe injury. Despite the setback, his ability to earn starts as a rookie showed the Jaguars coaching staff trusted his technique and physicality along the interior line.
Jacksonville Jaguars Breakthrough (2015-2018)
Reed’s most extended period of early production came with the Jacksonville Jaguars, the organization that gave him his first professional opportunity. On September 2, 2017, he was waived by the Jaguars and signed to the practice squad the next day, a common sequence for developing linemen. He was promoted to the active roster on October 7, 2017.
In 2017, Reed played in six games, starting three at left guard in place of the injured Patrick Omameh. Those starts showcased his versatility to play both tackle and guard at the NFL level. He remained with Jacksonville through the 2018 season, establishing himself as a respected depth player on a young offensive line.
Journeyman Years (2019-2023)
On March 18, 2019, Reed signed with the Miami Dolphins. He played in five games during the 2019 season before being waived on December 4, 2019. Shortly after, on December 5, 2019, he was claimed off waivers by the Carolina Panthers, where he finished the 2019 campaign.
Reed was placed on the reserve/COVID-19 list by the Panthers on September 1, 2020, and activated on September 23. He signed with the Indianapolis Colts on April 1, 2021, and then signed with the Minnesota Vikings on April 1, 2022. While with the Vikings, he was placed on the reserve/non-football injury list on August 29, 2023, and was activated to the 53-man roster on November 20, 2023.
Houston Texans and New Orleans Saints Era (2024)
On July 18, 2024, Reed signed with the Houston Texans. He was released by the Texans on August 27, 2024, during the final rounds of preseason roster cuts. The brief stint in Houston reflected the continued movement common for veteran backup linemen seeking the right opportunity.
On September 25, 2024, Reed was signed to the New Orleans Saints practice squad. He was released by the Saints on October 22, 2024. His transition between the Texans and Saints in 2024 highlighted the competitive market for interior offensive linemen throughout the league.
Notable Events and Milestones
One of the defining achievements in Christopher Reed’s athletic career came at Minnesota State University, where he was an 11-time NCAA Division II Track and Field All-American. He also won the NCAA Division II outdoor shot put championship in both 2013 and 2014, a remarkable feat that elevated his profile as a dual-sport college athlete.
Reed also holds school records in the indoor and outdoor shot put, the indoor weight throw, and the outdoor hammer throw. In the NFL, his milestone moment came when he made the Jaguars’ 53-man roster in 2016, then earned starts in 2017 at left guard.
Chris Reed Family
Personal Life
Christopher Reed was born in Cedar Rapids, Iowa, and later moved to Nebraska, where he attended Omaha Central High School. Public details about his family life, including parents, spouse, or children, have not been widely reported. Reed has kept his personal life largely private throughout his professional football career, focusing public attention on his work as an offensive lineman and his accomplishments in track and field.
2025 Season Performance
Entering the 2025 NFL season, Christopher Reed’s role in professional football remained that of a veteran depth guard. After his release from the New Orleans Saints practice squad in October 2024, his offseason status heading into 2025 will depend on workout availability and team needs. He remains an experienced interior offensive lineman with starting experience from his 2017 season with the Jacksonville Jaguars.
For teams seeking guard depth in 2025, Reed’s ability to play both guard and tackle, combined with his track record of surviving roster cuts across multiple organizations, makes him a candidate to resurface on a practice squad or active roster. His track and field background, including two NCAA Division II outdoor shot put titles in 2013 and 2014, continues to underscore his exceptional physical strength, an asset for any offensive line room.
Outlook for the 2025 season will depend on his opportunities in training camps across the league. Whether Reed lands a roster spot or returns to a practice squad role, his nearly decade-long professional career stands as evidence of the persistence required of undrafted players navigating the modern NFL.