Eric Tomlinson Bio
Eric Tomlinson, born on April 22, 1992, in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma, is an American professional football tight end who has built a long NFL career as an undrafted free agent. Standing 6 feet 6 inches tall and weighing around 260 pounds, he relies on his frame to operate as a blocking tight end with pass-catching capability. He played college football for the UTEP Miners before turning professional in 2015. Over the course of his career, Tomlinson has spent time with multiple franchises, working primarily through practice squads and special teams roles.
Eric Tomlinson attended Klein High School in Texas before continuing his football development at the University of Texas at El Paso. After going undrafted in the 2015 NFL Draft, he signed with the Philadelphia Eagles and began a journey through the league that has included stints with the Houston Texans, New York Jets, New England Patriots, New York Giants, Oakland Raiders, Baltimore Ravens, Denver Broncos, Indianapolis Colts, and the Los Angeles Chargers. Known for his size and reliability, he has remained a valued locker room presence and depth option at the tight end position.
Early Life and Background
Eric Tomlinson was born and raised in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma, before his family later moved to Texas, where he spent his formative years. He attended Klein High School, a program recognized for producing competitive football talent in the greater Houston area. During his time with the Klein High School Bearkats, Tomlinson developed into a sizable tight end prospect, using his height and frame to create mismatches against smaller defenders.
His early exposure to organized football came through youth leagues and school programs, where coaches emphasized fundamentals, physical conditioning, and positional discipline. By the time he reached his upperclassman years, he had grown into a 6-foot-6 prospect, drawing attention from college recruiters. Although he was not heavily recruited as a national-level prospect, his combination of size and potential earned him an opportunity to play at the collegiate level.
Path to American Football
After completing his high school career, Eric Tomlinson committed to the University of Texas at El Paso, joining the UTEP Miners football program in Conference USA. At UTEP, he developed into a steady contributor at tight end, appearing in games from 2011 through 2014. He worked primarily as a blocker while refining his route running and catching ability, eventually becoming a reliable two-way tight end for the Miners.
Following his senior season, Tomlinson received an invitation to the NFLPA Collegiate Bowl, where he played for head coach Mike Holmgren’s American team. He later attended the NFL Scouting Combine in Indianapolis, where he measured well for his position but did not produce elite athletic testing numbers. He returned to UTEP for his pro day and improved several drill times, which helped generate modest draft interest. Ultimately, he was projected as an undrafted free agent and ranked as the 20th-best tight end prospect by NFLDraftScout.com, setting the stage for a long professional journey.
Eric Tomlinson Career
Early Career (2015)
Eric Tomlinson entered the NFL in 2015 after going unselected in the NFL Draft. He signed with the Philadelphia Eagles shortly after the draft and participated in their offseason program, but he was released during final roster cuts in early September. Within days, he joined the Houston Texans’ practice squad, where he spent his entire rookie season developing his professional routine while learning the team’s offensive system.
His rookie year offered limited game action, but the experience allowed him to adjust to the speed and complexity of the NFL. He was released at the start of the 2016 season and then re-signed to the Texans’ practice squad, demonstrating the organization’s continued interest in his development as a depth tight end.
New York Jets Era (2016–2019)
Eric Tomlinson joined the New York Jets in November 2016 after being signed off the Texans’ practice squad. He spent the remainder of that season contributing on special teams and within the tight end rotation. In 2017, he earned a larger role, recording his first official receiving statistics in the season opener against the Buffalo Bills with two receptions for 25 yards. Later that season, he scored his first career touchdown on a 20-yard pass from quarterback Josh McCown against the Atlanta Falcons, a memorable early milestone.
During the 2018 season, Tomlinson appeared in 15 games with 12 starts, recording eight receptions for 72 yards before a late-season injury placed him on injured reserve. The Jets re-signed him in March 2019, but he was released at the end of August that same year. His tenure with the Jets marked his longest stretch of regular playing time and established him as a reliable blocking tight end with starting experience.
New York Giants and New England Patriots Stints (2019)
In September 2019, Eric Tomlinson was claimed off waivers by the New York Giants, although his time with the team lasted only a few weeks before he was waived again. Shortly after, he signed with the New England Patriots in mid-October, providing depth during the middle of the season. In his debut with New England, he recorded one reception for one yard against his former team, the New York Jets. His Patriots tenure ended in late October when he was released.
Oakland Raiders and Return to Giants (2019–2020)
Tomlinson joined the Oakland Raiders in December 2019, briefly serving on their roster late in the season. In March 2020, he returned to the New York Giants on another contract. He was released during final cuts, re-signed the following day, and continued to move between the practice squad and active roster throughout the season. His pattern of practice squad elevations and roster movement became a defining feature of this stretch of his career.
Baltimore Ravens Era (2020–2021)
In November 2020, Eric Tomlinson signed with the Baltimore Ravens practice squad. Over the following weeks, he was repeatedly elevated to the active roster for games against the Pittsburgh Steelers, Dallas Cowboys, Cleveland Browns, and Jacksonville Jaguars before being promoted permanently in late December. He signed a one-year contract extension in February 2021 and continued contributing as a blocking tight end and special teams player. Despite multiple releases and re-signings during the 2021 season, he remained part of the organization throughout the year.
Denver Broncos and Houston Texans Returns (2022–2023)
Eric Tomlinson signed a one-year contract with the Denver Broncos in March 2022. After being released during final cuts in August, he returned to the team a day later and continued with the club. In May 2023, he rejoined the Houston Texans, though his tenures that year involved multiple short stints as he was released and re-signed during the summer before eventually landing with another organization later in the season.
Indianapolis Colts and Los Angeles Chargers Era (2024–Present)
In early January 2024, Eric Tomlinson signed with the Indianapolis Colts practice squad before signing a reserve and future contract later that month. He was released in late August, and shortly afterward signed with the Los Angeles Chargers practice squad. On September 7, 2024, he was promoted to the Chargers’ active roster, where he has continued to contribute as a depth tight end and special teams presence.
Notable Events and Milestones
Eric Tomlinson’s first career touchdown against the Atlanta Falcons in 2017 stands as one of his most memorable on-field moments. His long professional journey, which has spanned numerous practice squad promotions, short stints with multiple teams, and multiple returns to familiar organizations, reflects his perseverance and value as a dependable depth player. Reaching a decade in the NFL without ever being drafted remains a defining accomplishment of his career.
Eric Tomlinson Family
Family Background and Racing Lineage
Public information about Eric Tomlinson’s family background remains limited. He was raised in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma, before later relocating to Texas for high school. Specific details about his parents, siblings, or extended family have not been widely published.
2025 Season Performance
Looking ahead to the 2025 season, Eric Tomlinson enters the year as a depth tight end with the Los Angeles Chargers, having been promoted to the active roster in September 2024. His continued presence on the roster suggests a stable role within the tight end rotation, where his blocking ability and special teams value remain his primary contributions. With the Chargers, he is positioned to provide veteran experience behind the team’s top tight ends.
Throughout the 2024 season, Tomlinson served in a complementary role, helping with run blocking, pass protection, and situational offense. His durability and familiarity with multiple offensive systems make him a reliable option for game-day elevations and short-yardage packages. Heading into the 2025 campaign, his role is expected to follow a similar pattern of situational deployment.
As the Chargers prepare for the 2025 season, Eric Tomlinson remains a steady, experienced presence in the locker room and a dependable depth option at tight end. While his statistical impact may be limited, his professionalism and consistency continue to make him a valued member of the organization.