Eric Saubert Bio
Eric Saubert is an American professional football tight end for the Seattle Seahawks of the National Football League (NFL). Standing 6 feet 5 inches tall and weighing around 249 pounds, he is known for his length and athletic ability at the position. He was selected by the Atlanta Falcons in the fifth round of the 2017 NFL draft after playing college football for the Drake Bulldogs. Over the course of his career, Saubert has also been a member of several other NFL teams, showcasing his persistence and continued commitment to the sport.
Early Life and Background
Eric Saubert was born on May 9, 1994, in Chicago, Illinois. He grew up in the Chicago area and attended Hoffman Estates High School, where he first developed his skills as a tight end. The Midwestern environment and Chicago-area football culture helped shape his early interest in the game, giving him a foundation built on physical play and steady development.
Coming out of high school, Saubert was not regarded as a top national recruit, which led him to choose Drake University, a Football Championship Subdivision program. At Drake, he developed into one of the most productive tight ends in program history. His size, hands, and willingness to block gave him a complete profile that eventually attracted NFL scouts. The work he put in at a smaller college level became a key chapter in his football story and prepared him for the next step at the professional level.
Path to American Football
Saubert’s rise through the college ranks at Drake earned him national attention during his senior season. Following the 2016 campaign, he accepted an invitation to play in the 2017 East–West Shrine Game, where he impressed scouts and analysts throughout practices. He displayed his athleticism and receiving ability, earning praise from NFL analyst Mike Mayock. He followed that up by participating in the 2017 Senior Bowl as a late addition, joining a South team coached by Hue Jackson that defeated the North 16–15.
Saubert was one of 19 collegiate tight ends invited to the NFL Scouting Combine in Indianapolis, Indiana, where he tied for second at his position in the bench press, finished fifth in the broad jump, and eighth in the vertical jump. He later performed all of the combine drills at Iowa State’s pro day in front of representatives from 22 NFL teams. By the end of the pre-draft process, he was projected as a fifth or sixth round pick, ranked as the 12th best tight end by CBS Sports and 13th by NFLDraftScout.com.
Eric Saubert Career
Early Career (2017–2018)
The Atlanta Falcons selected Saubert in the fifth round, 174th overall, of the 2017 NFL draft. He was the first Drake player drafted since Pat Dunsmore in 1983 and the 20th player taken from Drake University history. On May 11, 2017, the Falcons signed him to a four-year, $2.62 million contract that included a signing bonus of $227,388. He entered his rookie season as the third tight end on the depth chart behind Austin Hooper and Levine Toilolo.
Saubert made his professional regular season debut in the Atlanta Falcons’ season-opening 23–17 victory at the Chicago Bears. He appeared in 14 games during his rookie year but did not record any statistics. In 2018, he posted five receptions for 48 yards across 16 games with one start, establishing himself as a depth tight end with developmental upside.
Atlanta Falcons to Patriots and Raiders (2017–2019)
On August 12, 2019, Saubert was traded to the New England Patriots for a conditional seventh-round pick in the 2020 NFL draft. He was released during final roster cuts on August 31. Shortly after, on September 1, 2019, he signed with the Oakland Raiders’ practice squad, looking for a fresh opportunity to work his way back onto an active roster.
Chicago Bears (2019–2020)
On November 30, 2019, the Chicago Bears signed Saubert off the Raiders practice squad. He went on to catch two passes for 21 yards during the 2019 season, providing depth at the tight end position. In 2020, Saubert was placed on the reserve/COVID-19 list on July 29, then activated five days later before being waived on September 16 as the team trimmed its roster.
Jacksonville Jaguars (2020)
Saubert joined the Jacksonville Jaguars practice squad on September 19, 2020. He was elevated to the active roster on October 24 for the team’s Week 7 game against the Los Angeles Chargers and reverted to the practice squad afterward. On November 21, the Jaguars signed him to the active roster, giving him another chance to contribute on game days.
Denver Broncos (2021–2022)
Saubert signed with the Denver Broncos on May 3, 2021, and made the active roster as the third tight end. He recorded one catch for 7 yards in Week 1 against the New York Giants. After a quiet middle stretch, he enjoyed a career day in Week 6 against the Las Vegas Raiders with three receptions for 27 yards and an onside kick recovery. He caught his first NFL touchdown in the Week 12 victory over the Los Angeles Chargers. On May 4, 2022, he re-signed with Denver, continuing his role in the tight end rotation.
Miami Cowboys Texans Period (2023)
Saubert signed a one-year contract with the Miami Dolphins on March 17, 2023, but was placed on injured reserve on August 29 and released a week later. On October 24, 2023, the Dallas Cowboys signed him to their practice squad, and he appeared in one game during the Week 8 matchup against the Los Angeles Rams. On October 31, 2023, he was signed by the Houston Texans off the Cowboys practice squad, rounding out a busy 2023 season across multiple organizations.
San Francisco 49ers and Seattle Seahawks Era (2024–Present)
On April 8, 2024, Saubert signed with the San Francisco 49ers, continuing his journeyman career in the NFC West. On March 24, 2025, he signed with the Seattle Seahawks, beginning his current chapter. He was placed on injured reserve on November 1 due to a calf injury, then activated on December 13, the same day he received a one-year contract extension. Five days later against the Los Angeles Rams, Saubert caught a game-winning two-point conversion in overtime, helping the Seahawks secure a playoff spot for the first time since the 2022 season.
Driving Style and Strengths
Saubert is regarded as a long, athletic tight end with reliable hands and a strong blocking base. He shows his best work as a move-the-chains receiver and in catch-and-fall situations where his frame and length help him win at the catch point. His willingness to take on a depth role across multiple teams has helped him stay in the league.
Notable Events and Milestones
Saubert’s first NFL touchdown came in Week 12 of the 2021 season during the Denver Broncos’ victory over the Los Angeles Chargers. He later delivered a clutch game-winning two-point conversion in overtime against the Los Angeles Rams in 2025, a play that helped the Seattle Seahawks clinch a playoff berth for the first time since 2022.
Eric Saubert Career Wins
Eric Saubert’s career has been defined by consistency and longevity rather than headline numbers. He has been a steady depth tight end across multiple franchises since 2017, contributing on special teams, in the blocking game, and as a situational pass catcher. His 2025 two-point conversion stands as one of the signature moments of his professional career.
NFL Career Highlights
Saubert caught his first NFL touchdown in Week 12 of the 2021 season with the Denver Broncos against the Chargers, a milestone that validated his years of developmental work. In 2025, he delivered a game-winning two-point conversion in overtime against the Los Angeles Rams while with the Seattle Seahawks, a play that directly helped clinch a postseason spot. He has also accumulated receptions with the Atlanta Falcons, Chicago Bears, and Denver Broncos throughout his career.
Eric Saubert Family
Family Background and Racing Lineage
Public information about Eric Saubert’s parents and family background is limited. He grew up in the Chicago area and developed into a college prospect at Hoffman Estates High School before taking his talents to Drake University.
Personal Life
Saubert keeps his personal life largely private. No public information about a spouse, partners, or children has been officially confirmed through verified sources.
2025 Season Performance
Eric Saubert’s 2025 season with the Seattle Seahawks began on March 24, when he signed with the team as a veteran tight end addition. He was placed on injured reserve on November 1 due to a calf injury, briefly halting his campaign. He returned from injured reserve on December 13, the same day the Seahawks rewarded him with a one-year contract extension, signaling confidence in his role within the locker room.
Just five days after his activation, Saubert made one of the biggest plays of the Seahawks’ season, catching a game-winning two-point conversion in overtime against the Los Angeles Rams. That conversion helped Seattle secure a playoff spot for the first time since the 2022 season, turning Saubert into a clutch late-season contributor. His journey through injured reserve and back into a hero role summed up a year of perseverance for the veteran tight end.
Looking ahead, Saubert’s contract is set to run through 2026, keeping him in Seattle for the foreseeable future. His playoff-clinching conversion in 2025 cemented his value to the Seahawks and suggested more important snaps could be in store as the team builds around its tight end depth.