Eddie Goldman Bio
Eddie Goldman (born January 6, 1994) is an American professional football defensive tackle for the Washington Commanders of the National Football League (NFL). Standing 6 feet 3 inches tall and weighing around 325 pounds, he plays in the trenches as a run-stopping nose tackle and interior pass rusher. He played college football for the Florida State Seminoles and was selected by the Chicago Bears in the second round of the 2015 NFL draft. Goldman has also spent time with the Atlanta Falcons and remains active in the league today.
Early Life and Background
Eddie Goldman is a native of Washington, D.C., where he grew up surrounded by the city’s deep football culture. He attended Friendship Collegiate Academy Public Charter School, the same program that produced future NFL defensive backs Yannick Ngakoue and Teez Tabor. In addition to football, Goldman also played basketball during his high school years, an experience that helped develop his footwork and body control, two traits that later served him well along the defensive line.
On the football field at Friendship Collegiate, Goldman blossomed into one of the most heavily recruited defensive linemen in the country. He was an All-American defensive lineman and was widely considered a five-star recruit by both ESPN and Rivals.com. National scouting services listed him as the second-best defensive tackle in his recruiting class, trailing only Mario Edwards Jr., who later became his college teammate at Florida State.
Path to American Football
Goldman’s path to the professional ranks began with his decision to attend Florida State University, where he played from 2012 to 2014. He quickly developed into a reliable presence on the Seminoles’ defensive front, appearing in three seasons of college action. During his career at Florida State, he tallied 262 tackles along with six sacks, the kind of production that established him as one of the most productive interior defenders in the Atlantic Coast Conference.
Following the 2013 season, Goldman was part of a Florida State squad that won the BCS National Championship, a signature team accomplishment for the program. The following year, in 2014, he earned first-team All-ACC honors, cementing his status as one of the premier defensive tackles in college football. After his junior season, Goldman chose to forgo his senior year and declare for the 2015 NFL Draft, betting on himself as an early-round prospect.
Eddie Goldman Career
Early Career (2015)
The Chicago Bears selected Goldman with the 39th overall pick in the second round of the 2015 NFL Draft. From the start, the Bears plugged him into the middle of their defensive line, where he was expected to anchor the run defense and grow into a three-down role. His strong build and lower-body strength made him a natural fit at nose tackle in Chicago’s defensive scheme.
Goldman played fifteen games as a rookie, recording 39 tackles and six tackles for a loss while ranking fourth among all rookies with 4.5 sacks. For his debut season, he was named to Mel Kiper Jr.’s All-Rookie Team and was selected to the Pro Football Writers of America’s All-Rookie Team. Those honors confirmed the Bears’ belief that he was a foundational piece for their defense going forward.
Chicago Bears Breakthrough (2016-2021)
Goldman’s second season was disrupted by injury. In 2016, he played in just six games with five starts before suffering a high ankle sprain in Week 2 that kept him out of the lineup for six games. He returned in Week 10, but the ankle issue lingered, and on December 23, 2016, the Bears placed him on injured reserve. Despite the setbacks, the organization remained committed to him as a long-term starter.
By 2017, Goldman had returned to full health and started 14 of 15 games played, finishing the year with 1.5 sacks, 44 combined tackles, five quarterback hits, and one fumble recovery. The Bears rewarded him with a four-year contract extension on September 7, 2018, worth $42 million with $25 million guaranteed. That season, he recorded three sacks and 40 combined tackles, and in a Week 14 game against the Los Angeles Rams, he sacked Jared Goff in the end zone for a safety, sealing a 15-6 Bears victory. He received an overall grade of 89.2 from Pro Football Focus, the 12th highest among qualifying interior defenders leaguewide.
Goldman played 15 games in 2019, recording one sack and 29 combined tackles with two tackles for loss, and was selected as a Pro Bowl alternate. He then informed the Bears on July 28, 2020, that he would opt out of the 2020 season due to the COVID-19 pandemic, receiving a $350,000 stipend while his original base salary rolled to the following year. Goldman returned to action in 2021, playing 14 games and recording half a sack with 22 total tackles, before the Bears released him on March 14, 2022.
Atlanta Falcons Era (2022-2024)
Goldman signed with the Atlanta Falcons on July 6, 2022, hoping to extend his career in a new defensive system. Just thirteen days later, however, he announced his retirement from the NFL, stepping away from the game after more than seven professional seasons. For the next several months, his playing future appeared to be over.
On March 21, 2023, Goldman came out of retirement, and the Falcons reinstated him to their active roster. He was later placed on the exempt/left squad list on July 29. On April 2, 2024, he was released off the Falcons’ reserve list but re-signed with the team the same day. In 2024, Goldman played in all 17 games for Atlanta, earning 10 starts at defensive tackle and finishing with 16 total tackles and one sack. He proved he still had value as a veteran presence on a young defensive front.
Washington Commanders Era (2025-Present)
On March 15, 2025, Goldman signed a one-year contract with the Washington Commanders, returning to the city where he grew up. The signing was a homecoming of sorts, and the Commanders added a proven veteran to mentor their interior defensive line. On December 22, 2025, the Commanders placed him on injured reserve, bringing a temporary end to his 2025 campaign.
Driving Style and Strengths
Goldman is recognized as a classic run-stopping nose tackle with the power to anchor against double teams at the point of attack. His combination of size, lower-body strength, and disciplined hand technique allows him to control gaps and free up linebackers behind him. He is also capable of collapsing the pocket from the interior, using quick first steps and leverage to push the pocket against opposing guards.
Notable Events and Milestones
Among Goldman’s career highlights are his 2015 PFWA All-Rookie Team selection, his role on Florida State’s 2013 BCS National Championship team, and his 2014 first-team All-ACC honor. His Week 14 safety against the Rams in 2018 stands as one of the signature plays of his Bears tenure, and his 89.2 Pro Football Focus grade that season underscored his peak performance.
Eddie Goldman Career Wins
While Eddie Goldman’s value is measured more in disruption, run-stopping, and pocket pressure than in traditional win totals, his career is marked by team accomplishments and individual recognition across both college and the NFL. He helped Florida State capture a BCS National Championship in 2013 and earned first-team All-ACC honors in 2014 before becoming a second-round NFL Draft pick in 2015.
Chicago Bears Highlights
During his time with the Bears, Goldman earned All-Rookie honors in 2015, signed a four-year, $42 million extension in 2018, and posted an 89.2 Pro Football Focus grade that ranked 12th among qualifying interior defenders. His Week 14 safety against the Los Angeles Rams in 2018 was a defining moment, and he was named a Pro Bowl alternate following the 2019 season.
Other Wins and Performances
Goldman also contributed as a steady veteran presence with the Atlanta Falcons from 2022 to 2024, appearing in all 17 games in 2024 with 10 starts and one sack. His durability and locker-room leadership added value beyond the stat sheet, particularly for a young Falcons defensive front.
Eddie Goldman Family
Family Background and Racing Lineage
Public information about Eddie Goldman’s immediate family remains limited. He grew up in Washington, D.C., and attended Friendship Collegiate Academy Public Charter School, where he developed alongside future NFL players Yannick Ngakoue and Teez Tabor.
Personal Life
Details about Goldman’s personal life, including marital status, spouse, and children, have not been publicly confirmed. He is widely regarded as a private individual who has kept his focus on his professional football career.
2025 Season Performance
Goldman’s 2025 campaign began with his one-year contract with the Washington Commanders, signed on March 15, 2025. The deal brought him back to the city where he grew up and gave the Commanders a proven veteran defensive tackle to anchor the middle of their line. He contributed throughout the season as a run-stopping presence before the team placed him on injured reserve on December 22, 2025.
Across his 2025 stint with Washington, Goldman served as a stabilizing interior presence for a young defensive front. His veteran experience and technique gave the Commanders a dependable option against opposing rushing attacks. The late-season injured reserve designation ended his on-field contribution for the year but did not derail his long-term presence on the roster.
Looking ahead, Goldman’s contract with Washington runs through the 2026 season, leaving the door open for a potential return to health and the active roster. His combination of experience, size, and run-defense pedigree continues to make him an appealing option for teams in need of interior line help, and his 2025 work in Washington only reinforced that reputation.