Joe Bachie Bio
Joe Bachie, born February 26, 1998, is an American professional football linebacker for the Tennessee Titans of the National Football League (NFL). Standing 6 feet 2 inches tall and weighing around 107 kilograms, he plays the inside linebacker position and is recognized for his tackling ability and football instincts. Before reaching the NFL, Bachie built a strong reputation as a four-year contributor for the Michigan State Spartans in college football.
Across his professional career, Bachie has spent time with several NFL franchises, including the New Orleans Saints, Philadelphia Eagles, Cincinnati Bengals, and Indianapolis Colts. Going undrafted in the 2020 NFL Draft, he has carved out a journeyman career by working through practice squads, earning roster promotions, and contributing on special teams and defense. His journey reflects the persistence required to establish himself as a reliable professional linebacker.
Early Life and Background
Joe Bachie grew up in Brook Park, Ohio, a suburb west of Cleveland. As a child, he was known for playing both sides of the ball in pickup games, switching from one team to another between halves. Those backyard contests helped shape his competitive drive and understanding of the game from multiple perspectives, a trait that later benefited him as a linebacker who must read opposing offenses.
Bachie attended Berea-Midpark High School, where he quickly developed into one of the most highly rated linebacker prospects in the state. Recruiting services such as Rivals.com and 247Sports.com ranked him among the top inside linebackers in the country, while Scout.com listed him among the top outside linebackers. During his senior year, he led his team in tackles, tackles for loss, quarterback hurries, and rushing touchdowns, demonstrating his two-way versatility.
In addition to football, Bachie was a multi-sport athlete who also played basketball and baseball. He earned all-conference honors in both sports as a junior, highlighting his overall athleticism and competitive nature. This well-rounded athletic foundation prepared him for the physical demands of Big Ten college football.
Path to American Football
Bachie’s path to a college football scholarship at Michigan State was built on his strong senior season and statewide recognition in Ohio. His combination of size, speed, and football intelligence made him a priority recruit for the Spartans coaching staff, who viewed him as a long-term inside linebacker prospect.
At Michigan State, Bachie became a consistent contributor from early in his college career. As a sophomore in 2017, he earned third-team All-Big Ten recognition, establishing himself as a reliable tackler in the Spartans defense. He followed that up with a first-team All-Big Ten selection in 2018, cementing his status as one of the conference’s premier linebackers.
During his senior season in 2019, Bachie tested positive for a banned performance-enhancing substance, which prematurely ended his collegiate career. Despite that setback, his body of work at Michigan State left him with a strong professional resume that included significant production across four seasons.
Joe Bachie Career
Early Career (2020)
Following the 2020 NFL Draft, Joe Bachie signed with the New Orleans Saints as an undrafted free agent on May 13, 2020. He competed for a roster spot throughout training camp but was waived during final cuts on September 5. The Saints quickly signed him to their practice squad the following day, keeping him within their developmental system.
On December 7, 2020, Bachie was signed off the Saints practice squad by the Philadelphia Eagles. His transition between teams late in the season illustrated the value NFL clubs place on versatile linebackers who can contribute on special teams. He finished his first professional season having gained valuable experience across two organizations.
Cincinnati Bengals Breakthrough (2021–2024)
On May 26, 2021, Bachie was claimed off waivers by the Cincinnati Bengals, beginning what would become the longest and most productive stretch of his NFL career. After being waived on August 31, he was re-signed to the Bengals practice squad the next day. He was promoted to the active roster on October 16 and made his Bengals debut against the Detroit Lions later that week.
Bachie’s time in Cincinnati included both setbacks and milestones. He was placed on injured reserve on December 21, 2021, after suffering a knee injury in Week 14. He returned to the field the following season after starting 2022 on the reserve/PUP list, having re-signed with the Bengals on a one-year deal in March 2022. In March 2023, he signed another one-year contract extension, solidifying his role within the Bengals linebacker rotation through the 2023 season and beyond.
Across his Bengals tenure, Bachie earned a reputation as a dependable rotational linebacker and core special teams player. His toughness, preparation, and ability to play multiple linebacker spots made him a valuable piece of the Bengals roster during a competitive period for the franchise.
Tennessee Titans Era (2025–Present)
After spending the early part of the 2025 season with the Indianapolis Colts, where he was signed on May 7, Bachie was waived with an injury settlement on October 15, 2025. Just two days later, on October 17, the Tennessee Titans signed him to their practice squad. He was promoted to the Titans’ active roster on October 23, 2025.
Bachie joined a Titans defense seeking experienced depth at the linebacker position. His signing reflected the organization’s confidence in his ability to contribute quickly after joining midseason. As the 2025 season progresses, he looks to establish himself within Tennessee’s defensive rotation and on special teams units.
Driving Style and Strengths
Bachie’s playing style is defined by his physical tackling, strong field awareness, and willingness to take on blockers in the run game. He demonstrates excellent instincts in reading offensive formations and is effective at pursuing ball carriers sideline to sideline. His background as a high school two-way player also gives him added value on special teams, where his tackling and coverage skills have been consistently utilized throughout his professional career.
Notable Events and Milestones
One of the defining milestones of Bachie’s career came during his time at Michigan State, where he earned first-team All-Big Ten honors in 2018 after being named third-team All-Big Ten in both 2017 and 2019. His transition from undrafted free agent to a multi-year NFL contributor with the Cincinnati Bengals represents another significant achievement, highlighted by his first career game action against the Detroit Lions in 2021.
Joe Bachie Career Wins
While individual win totals are not comprehensively documented across all phases of Joe Bachie’s career, his professional journey includes notable contributions to team success. His most sustained period of team stability came with the Cincinnati Bengals, where he was part of a roster that competed in multiple playoff-caliber seasons between 2021 and 2024. His role on special teams and as a rotational defender provided consistent value to those Bengals teams.
Cincinnati Bengals Highlights
During his Bengals tenure, Bachie appeared in games across multiple seasons, including postseason play as part of Cincinnati’s roster. His first game action with the Bengals came in October 2021 against the Detroit Lions, marking the beginning of a meaningful chapter in his career. He continued to contribute on defense and special teams through subsequent seasons, earning re-signings that reflected the organization’s trust in his abilities.
Other Wins & Performances
Beyond his Bengals tenure, Bachie’s time with the New Orleans Saints, Philadelphia Eagles, Indianapolis Colts, and Tennessee Titans added depth to his professional profile. Each stop provided additional experience and demonstrated his ability to adapt to different defensive schemes and coaching staffs throughout his NFL journey.
Joe Bachie Family
Family Background and Racing Lineage
Public information about Joe Bachie’s immediate family is limited. He grew up in Brook Park, Ohio, and his early athletic development was supported by his community and high school program at Berea-Midpark. There is limited verified information publicly available about his parents or extended family details related to athletics.
Personal Life
Outside of football, Bachie maintains an active presence on social media, where fans can follow his career updates. He has focused primarily on his professional development as an NFL linebacker since entering the league in 2020.
2025 Season Performance
The 2025 season has been a year of transitions for Joe Bachie. He began the year with the Indianapolis Colts after signing on May 7, but was waived with an injury settlement on October 15, 2025. Within days, he found a new opportunity with the Tennessee Titans, joining their practice squad on October 17 before being promoted to the active roster on October 23.
As a midseason addition to Tennessee’s linebacker group, Bachie has been asked to provide depth and special teams contributions. His experience across multiple NFL schemes makes him a versatile option for the Titans’ defensive staff. He is expected to compete for a consistent rotational role as the season progresses.
Looking ahead, Bachie will aim to make the most of his opportunity in Tennessee. His track record of persistence, special teams value, and defensive versatility positions him well to contribute as the Titans navigate the remainder of their 2025 campaign.