Cole Christiansen Bio
Cole Jennings Christiansen (born July 30, 1997) is an American professional football linebacker for the Kansas City Chiefs of the National Football League (NFL). A two-time Super Bowl champion, he has built his career on special teams contributions and reliable depth play after entering the league as an undrafted free agent.
Standing 6 feet 1 inch tall and weighing approximately 229 pounds, Christiansen developed his game at a military academy before transitioning to the professional level. He is widely recognized for his disciplined approach, a product of his college experience at Army, and for carving out a long career as a reserve linebacker.
Early Life and Background
Cole Jennings Christiansen was born on July 30, 1997, in Suffolk, Virginia. He grew up on a horse farm in the same city, an environment that helped shape his work ethic and sense of responsibility from an early age. His upbringing in rural Virginia kept him closely tied to outdoor activities and competitive sports throughout his youth.
Christiansen attended Nansemond-Suffolk Academy, a private school in Suffolk, where he played both football and lacrosse. As a junior and again as a senior, he earned the Virginia Independent Schools Athletic Association Defensive Player of the Year award and the Tidewater Conference Player of the Year honor, marking him as one of the top defensive prospects in the state’s independent school ranks.
Path to American Football
Christiansen’s path to professional football ran through the United States Military Academy at West Point, where he played for the Army Black Knights for four seasons. He became a starter in his sophomore year and finished second on the team with 84 tackles, a performance that earned him a team captain designation heading into his junior season.
As a junior, he once again finished second on the Black Knights in tackles, recording 77 stops while leading the team with 12 tackles for loss. In his senior year, Christiansen paced Army with 112 tackles, 3.5 tackles for loss, 2.5 sacks, and two forced fumbles, finishing his collegiate career with 275 tackles.
Cole Christiansen Career
Early Career (2020–2021)
Christiansen signed with the Los Angeles Chargers as an undrafted free agent on April 25, 2020, after receiving a waiver that allowed him to delay his active-duty military commitment until after his playing career. The waiver enabled him to pursue a professional opportunity while preserving his service obligation.
He was waived by the Chargers during final roster cuts on September 5, 2020, and signed to the team’s practice squad the following day. Throughout the 2020 season, he was elevated to the active roster for games against the New York Jets, Buffalo Bills, and New England Patriots, then promoted to the active roster on January 1, 2021. He later signed a reserve/future contract with the Chargers on January 11, 2022.
Kansas City Chiefs Breakthrough (2022–2023)
On September 1, 2022, Christiansen was signed to the Kansas City Chiefs practice squad and elevated to the active roster on October 15. Two days later, he recorded his first tackle with the team in a game against the Buffalo Bills. He became a Super Bowl champion when the Chiefs defeated the Philadelphia Eagles in Super Bowl LVII.
Christiansen signed a reserve/future contract on February 15, 2023, and was waived on August 29, 2023, before being re-signed to the practice squad. He was promoted to the active roster on January 17, 2024, and won his second consecutive Super Bowl when the Chiefs defeated the San Francisco 49ers in Super Bowl LVIII.
Kansas City Chiefs Era (2024–Present)
Christiansen re-signed with the Kansas City Chiefs on March 11, 2024. The Chiefs withdrew his exclusive rights tender on May 4, 2024, briefly making him a free agent, before he was re-signed. He was waived on August 27, 2024, and re-signed to the practice squad, then promoted to the active roster on September 18, 2024.
On August 26, 2025, Christiansen was waived by the Chiefs and re-signed to the practice squad the next day, continuing his run with the franchise. His longevity in Kansas City has been anchored by his value on special teams and his ability to provide experienced depth at the linebacker position.
Notable Events and Milestones
Christiansen’s most significant milestones are his back-to-back Super Bowl championships with the Kansas City Chiefs, earned in Super Bowl LVII and Super Bowl LVIII. He also recorded his first Chiefs tackle in 2022 against the Buffalo Bills, marking his arrival on the active roster in Kansas City.
Cole Christiansen Career Wins
Cole Jennings Christiansen has been part of two Super Bowl-winning rosters with the Kansas City Chiefs, contributing primarily on special teams and as a reserve linebacker. His championship pedigree is a defining feature of his professional résumé, complemented by consistent practice squad and active roster movement throughout his NFL tenure.
Other Wins and Performances
Beyond his two Super Bowl rings, Christiansen’s professional performance has been measured in steady availability and team-first contributions. He has navigated multiple transitions between practice squad and active roster, demonstrating the durability and patience required for a long NFL career as an undrafted player.
Cole Christiansen Family
Family Background and Personal Life
Public information regarding Cole Jennings Christiansen’s immediate family is limited. He was raised in Suffolk, Virginia, on a horse farm, an environment that informed his early years and helped instill the discipline associated with his later military and athletic commitments.
2025 Season Performance
Christiansen’s 2025 storyline begins with his placement on the practice squad after the Kansas City Chiefs waived him on August 26, 2025, followed by his re-signing the following day. His continued presence on the roster reflects the franchise’s familiarity with his role and reliability.
As a veteran reserve and special teams contributor, Christiansen is positioned to add experienced depth to the Chiefs’ linebacker room and help support another championship push. The outlook for the 2025 season centers on his ability to remain ready for promotion and to maintain the steady, dependable presence that has defined his career in Kansas City.