Jonathan Garvin Bio
Jonathan Neo Darnell Garvin is an American professional football defensive end for the Chicago Bears of the National Football League (NFL). Born on July 28, 1999, in Lake Worth Beach, Florida, Garvin played college football for the Miami Hurricanes before being selected in the seventh round of the 2020 NFL Draft by the Green Bay Packers. Over the course of his professional career, he has also spent time with the Birmingham Stallions and the San Francisco 49ers before joining Chicago.
Standing 6 feet 4 inches tall and weighing approximately 258 pounds, Garvin has built his reputation as a physical edge rusher with a background in both collegiate competition and professional development programs. His career path has taken him from a productive college tenure at Miami to multiple NFL organizations and a championship-winning stint in the United Football League.
Early Life and Background
Jonathan Neo Darnell Garvin was born and raised in Lake Worth Beach, Florida, a coastal city in Palm Beach County. He attended Lake Worth Beach High School, where he developed into a promising defensive prospect and earned attention from college recruiters for his combination of size, length, and quickness off the edge.
Growing up in Florida provided Garvin with year-round access to football training and a strong local football culture. His development at the high school level positioned him as a recruit for the University of Miami, one of the most storied programs in college football history. The proximity of his hometown to several top-tier programs made South Florida a natural launching point for his athletic career.
Path to American Football
Garvin’s path to professional football began at the University of Miami, where he joined the Miami Hurricanes program and quickly became a contributor on the defensive line. During the 2018 season, he produced a strong campaign that included 60 tackles, 17 tackles for loss, 5.5 sacks, two fumble recoveries, five pass breakups, and a touchdown on a fumble return across 13 starts. That performance established him as a force on the Hurricanes’ front.
His production over his sophomore and junior seasons at Miami included 26 tackles for loss and 10.5 sacks, demonstrating consistent disruption in the backfield. In the regular-season finale of his senior year against Duke, Garvin tallied a game-high 10 tackles, two sacks, 3.5 tackles for loss, and a forced fumble. After his junior year, he elected to forgo his remaining eligibility and enter the 2020 NFL Draft, accelerating his path to the professional level.
Jonathan Garvin Career
Early Career (2020–2022)
Jonathan Neo Darnell Garvin was selected by the Green Bay Packers in the seventh round with the 242nd overall pick in the 2020 NFL Draft and signed his rookie contract on May 26, 2020. He spent his first three professional seasons developing within the Packers’ defensive system, working to refine his technique as a rotational edge rusher.
His Packers tenure included a brief placement on the reserve/COVID-19 list in November 2021, after which he was activated in early December. Garvin continued to contribute to Green Bay’s defensive depth chart through the 2022 season before being released by the team on July 28, 2023, ending his initial NFL chapter.
Green Bay Packers Era (2020–2023)
Garvin began his professional career with the Green Bay Packers after being drafted in the seventh round of the 2020 NFL Draft. The Packers offered him an opportunity to develop behind established pass rushers, and he used his time in Green Bay to gain experience in NFL game preparation and practice habits. His release in July 2023 marked the end of his first professional stop and opened the door to new opportunities across professional football.
Birmingham Stallions Era (2024)
On March 14, 2024, Garvin signed with the Birmingham Stallions of the United Football League, joining one of the most successful spring football organizations. His time with the Stallions provided him a chance to play significant snaps in a championship-oriented environment.
Garvin’s contract with Birmingham was terminated on August 8, 2024. During his time with the Stallions, he contributed to a UFL championship in 2024, adding a professional title to his resume and demonstrating his ability to perform in a winning program.
San Francisco 49ers Era (2024–2025)
Following his release from Birmingham, Garvin signed with the San Francisco 49ers on August 9, 2024. He was waived on August 27, 2024, and re-signed to the team’s practice squad. Garvin was released on September 11, 2024, signed back to the practice squad on October 2, 2024, and released again on October 24, 2024.
On November 20, 2024, Garvin was re-signed to the 49ers’ practice squad, and on January 6, 2025, he signed a reserve/future contract with San Francisco. His tenure with the 49ers ended on August 26, 2025, when he was released as part of final roster cuts.
Chicago Bears Era (2025–Present)
On October 29, 2025, Garvin signed with the Chicago Bears practice squad, joining his fourth professional organization. The move to Chicago represented an opportunity to compete for a role on a defensive line seeking depth and rotational contributors.
Garvin’s path to the Bears reflects the journeyman nature of many late-round NFL prospects, as he continues to pursue a larger role within the league. His experience across multiple programs and his championship pedigree with Birmingham have positioned him as a motivated addition to Chicago’s defensive rotation.
Driving Style and Strengths
Garvin’s game is built on his physical profile and his disruptive ability at the line of scrimmage. At 6 feet 4 inches and roughly 258 pounds, he possesses the length and power to hold up against the run while also generating pressure as a pass rusher. His college production, including 26 tackles for loss and 10.5 sacks across his sophomore and junior seasons at Miami, highlighted his ability to penetrate opposing backfields and finish plays.
Notable Events and Milestones
Among the defining moments of Garvin’s career is his 2024 UFL championship with the Birmingham Stallions, which stands as his first professional title. He has also navigated multiple practice-squad moves across the NFL, including stints with the 49ers and the Bears, reflecting both his resilience and the competitive nature of professional roster management.
Jonathan Garvin Career Wins
Jonathan Neo Darnell Garvin’s professional resume features a UFL championship earned with the Birmingham Stallions in 2024, the most prominent team accomplishment of his career to date. Across his various stops in professional football, he has consistently sought opportunities to contribute on the defensive line and earn a regular role.
UFL Highlights
Garvin joined the Birmingham Stallions in March 2024 and was part of a championship roster that season. While his contract with the team was terminated in August 2024, his contribution to the title run marked a significant milestone in his professional journey and added a championship to his early career ledger.
Other Wins and Performances
Throughout his career, Garvin has produced strong individual statistical performances, most notably during his standout 2018 season at the University of Miami. His professional trajectory has also included valuable practice-squad experience with multiple NFL organizations, allowing him to continue developing within league systems.
Jonathan Garvin Family
Family Background and Racing Lineage
Public information about Jonathan Neo Darnell Garvin’s family background remains limited. He was raised in Lake Worth Beach, Florida, where he attended Lake Worth Beach High School before continuing his football career at the University of Miami.
Personal Life
Garvin has kept much of his personal life private, with limited public details available regarding his relationships or family beyond his upbringing in South Florida. His professional commitments have carried him across several states as he has pursued opportunities in the NFL and the UFL.
2025 Season Performance
Jonathan Neo Darnell Garvin’s 2025 season has been defined by roster movement and perseverance. After being released by the San Francisco 49ers on August 26, 2025, as part of final roster cuts, he joined the Chicago Bears practice squad on October 29, 2025, adding depth to a defensive line in need of rotational contributors.
His time on Chicago’s practice squad provides an opportunity to continue developing within an NFL system while staying prepared for a potential elevation to the active roster. Garvin’s championship experience with the Birmingham Stallions in 2024 and his extensive practice-squad background position him as a reliable in-season addition for the Bears.
Looking forward, Garvin’s primary goal remains securing a consistent role on an NFL active roster and translating his practice-squad experience into regular-season production. His journey through multiple professional organizations underscores his commitment to the game and his determination to establish himself at the highest level of professional football.