Eric Rowe Bio
Nelson Eric Rowe Jr., known professionally as Eric Rowe, is an American professional football safety who currently plays in the National Football League. Born on October 3, 1992, in Cleveland, Ohio, Rowe developed into a versatile defensive back capable of playing both cornerback and safety at the professional level. He attended the University of Utah, where he was a four-year starter, and entered the NFL after being selected by the Philadelphia Eagles in the 2015 NFL Draft.
Across his career, Rowe has suited up for the Philadelphia Eagles, New England Patriots, Miami Dolphins, Carolina Panthers, and Pittsburgh Steelers. He is a two-time Super Bowl champion, having been part of the Patriots’ victories in Super Bowl LI and Super Bowl LIII. Listed at 6 feet 1 inch and approximately 209 pounds, Rowe is widely recognized for his positional flexibility and contributions on special teams and defense.
Early Life and Background
Eric Rowe was born and raised in Cleveland, Ohio, before his family relocated to Texas, where he spent his formative years. He attended Doerre Intermediate School in Spring, Texas, and later enrolled at Klein High School in Klein, Texas. At Klein, Rowe emerged as a standout football player, compiling 207 tackles and nine interceptions across his high school career. His performance on the gridiron earned him a three-star recruiting rating from Rivals.com, and he was ranked as the 39th best safety in his recruiting class.
Beyond football, Rowe also played basketball and ran track in high school, which helped him develop the athleticism that would later define his professional career. After weighing his college options, Rowe committed to the University of Utah, choosing the Utes over other programs. His combination of size, speed, and coverage instincts made him an appealing prospect for college recruiters looking for a long, rangy defensive back.
Path to American Football
Rowe’s journey to professional football began at the University of Utah, where he played for the Utes from 2011 to 2014. He became an immediate starter at safety as a freshman, starting all 13 games and recording 69 tackles, one interception, and one sack. His rapid ascent onto the field demonstrated his readiness for major college football and set the tone for a productive four-year career.
As a sophomore, Rowe started ten games and contributed 64 tackles and one interception before injuries briefly slowed him. He returned as a junior to start all 12 games, registering 69 tackles and a half sack, and prior to his senior season, the Utah coaching staff moved him from safety to cornerback to take advantage of his coverage ability and length. In his final collegiate season, Rowe started 10 of 12 games and posted 59 tackles and one interception. Across his career at Utah, he started 45 of 47 games, amassing 261 tackles, three interceptions, and 1.5 sacks, numbers that placed him firmly on NFL scouting radars.
Eric Rowe Career
Early Career (2015)
The Philadelphia Eagles selected Eric Rowe in the second round, 47th overall, of the 2015 NFL Draft, making him the sixth cornerback taken that year. The Eagles traded up to acquire the pick, sending their second-round selection and two fifth-round choices to the Miami Dolphins in exchange for the 47th and 191st overall picks. On May 6, 2015, Rowe signed a four-year rookie contract worth $4.87 million, including a signing bonus of $452,248.
He entered his rookie season competing for a starting role against Nolan Carroll, ultimately beginning the year as the third cornerback on the depth chart behind Byron Maxwell and Carroll. Rowe made his NFL debut in the Eagles’ season-opening loss to the Atlanta Falcons and recorded his first career interception in Week 3 against the New York Jets. He earned his first career start in Week 13 after Carroll suffered an ankle injury, finishing his rookie year with 31 combined tackles, five pass deflections, and one interception across 16 games and five starts.
Philadelphia Eagles Era (2015–2016)
Following the dismissal of head coach Chip Kelly late in his rookie season, Rowe returned in 2016 under new head coach Doug Pederson and continued to compete for a starting cornerback role. Although his tenure in Philadelphia was brief, Rowe had already established himself as a physical, press-man defender with the length and versatility NFL teams coveted. His combination of size and athleticism made him an attractive trade asset for teams seeking secondary help.
On September 7, 2016, the Eagles traded Rowe to the New England Patriots in exchange for a conditional fourth-round pick in the 2018 NFL Draft, ending his time in Philadelphia after just one full season.
New England Patriots Era (2016–2018)
Upon arriving in New England, Rowe initially sat fifth on the Patriots’ cornerback depth chart behind Logan Ryan, Malcolm Butler, Justin Coleman, and Cyrus Jones. A slow start, including time missed with an ankle injury, delayed his debut, but by Week 7 of the 2016 season he earned his first start for the Patriots and finished the year with 26 combined tackles, eight pass deflections, and one interception in nine games.
The Patriots finished 14–2 and earned a first-round bye, and Rowe appeared in his first playoff games during the 2016 postseason. He recorded three solo tackles in a Divisional Round win over the Houston Texans and added four tackles, two pass deflections, and an interception in the AFC Championship Game victory against the Pittsburgh Steelers. On February 5, 2017, Rowe played in Super Bowl LI as the Patriots completed the largest comeback in Super Bowl history, defeating the Atlanta Falcons 34–28 in overtime to capture his first championship.
Injuries limited Rowe to eight games in 2017, but the Patriots again reached the Super Bowl. He started in Super Bowl LII in place of Malcolm Butler, a decision that drew heavy media scrutiny, and recorded four solo tackles and two pass deflections in a 41–33 loss to his former team, the Philadelphia Eagles. In 2018, Rowe opened the season as a starting cornerback opposite Stephon Gilmore but was eventually placed on injured reserve with a groin injury. Although he did not play in the postseason, the Patriots defeated the Los Angeles Rams 13–3 in Super Bowl LIII, earning Rowe his second Super Bowl ring.
Miami Dolphins Era (2019–2022)
On March 14, 2019, Rowe signed a one-year, $3.50 million contract with the Miami Dolphins, reuniting him with head coach Brian Flores, whom he had known from his time in New England. He transitioned back to safety during the season after Reshad Jones suffered a calf injury, beginning a stretch in which he demonstrated his trademark positional flexibility. In a Week 17 game against the Patriots, Rowe intercepted a pass from Tom Brady and returned it 35 yards for a pick-six in a 27–24 win.
On December 2, 2019, the Dolphins signed Rowe to a three-year, $16.15 million contract extension that included $6.57 million in guaranteed money and a $2.10 million signing bonus, keeping him in Miami through the 2022 season. During his Dolphins tenure, Rowe served as a steady presence in the secondary, recording his first interception of the 2020 season in a Week 8 win over the Los Angeles Rams.
Carolina Panthers Era (2023)
On April 6, 2023, Rowe signed with the Carolina Panthers in an effort to continue his career as a veteran defensive back. He was waived during final roster cuts on August 29, 2023, but was quickly signed to the Panthers’ practice squad the following day. Rowe was released from the practice squad on September 19, 2023, ending his short stint in Carolina.
Pittsburgh Steelers Era (2023–Present)
On November 20, 2023, the Pittsburgh Steelers signed Rowe to their practice squad, providing him an opportunity to contribute late in the season. After his practice squad contract expired, Rowe became a free agent, but on November 19, 2024, he re-signed with the Steelers’ practice squad. His experience as a versatile defensive back has made him a valuable depth piece for Pittsburgh’s secondary.
Notable Events and Milestones
Among the defining moments of Rowe’s career are his two Super Bowl championships with the New England Patriots in 2017 and 2019, his 35-yard pick-six against Tom Brady in 2019, and his role in Super Bowl LI, the largest comeback in Super Bowl history. His journey from a three-star recruit at Klein High School to a multi-time champion underscores the consistency and durability that have defined his professional career.
Eric Rowe Career Wins
Eric Rowe’s professional resume is highlighted by two Super Bowl titles with the New England Patriots, earned in Super Bowl LI and Super Bowl LIII. Across his stops with the Eagles, Patriots, Dolphins, Panthers, and Steelers, Rowe has built a reputation as a reliable defensive back whose contributions often extend beyond the box score.
Eric Rowe Family
Personal Life
Eric Rowe, whose full name is Nelson Eric Rowe Jr., was born in Cleveland, Ohio, and later grew up in the Spring and Klein areas of Texas. He attended Klein High School, where he was a multi-sport athlete before focusing on football at the University of Utah. Public details about Rowe’s immediate family and personal relationships remain limited, and his social media presence largely centers on his professional football career.
2025 Season Performance
Heading into 2025, Eric Rowe’s role with the Pittsburgh Steelers is expected to focus on providing veteran depth in the secondary and contributing on special teams. After re-signing with the Steelers’ practice squad in November 2024, Rowe positioned himself as a reliable option for a team that values positional versatility in its defensive backs.
With the Steelers continuing to build around a young core in their secondary, Rowe’s experience and familiarity with multiple defensive schemes could play a role in shaping Pittsburgh’s depth chart in 2025. His ability to play both cornerback and safety remains one of his most valuable assets, and his track record in high-pressure situations, including two Super Bowl runs, makes him a trusted presence in the locker room.
As the 2025 season approaches, Rowe’s primary objective will be to carve out a defined role within the Steelers’ defense, contribute to the team’s pursuit of postseason success, and continue extending a professional career that began in 2015.