Josh Woods Bio
Josh Woods is an American professional football linebacker for the Atlanta Falcons of the National Football League (NFL). Born on July 1, 1996, in Baltimore, Maryland, he has built his career on defensive versatility, having started as a defensive back in college before transitioning to linebacker in the NFL. After going undrafted in the 2018 NFL Draft, Woods has spent time with the Chicago Bears, Detroit Lions, and Arizona Cardinals, working his way up from practice squad contributor to active-roster defender.
Early Life and Background
Josh Woods was born and raised in Baltimore, Maryland, where he grew up immersed in the city’s strong football culture. He attended KIPP Baltimore (KIPP Ujima Village Academy) through eighth grade before moving on to the McDonogh School for high school. At McDonogh, Woods played both cornerback and wide receiver for the Eagles, showcasing the two-way athleticism that would later define his professional trajectory.
As a senior, Woods was named first-team All-Metro by the Baltimore Sun and first-team All-State after a dominant season on both sides of the ball. On defense, he recorded 35 tackles and four interceptions, while on offense he caught 35 passes for 800 yards and 10 touchdowns. His play helped McDonogh go 11-0 and win its first MIAA state championship. Across all four years of high school, Woods earned Academic All-American honors and graduated with a 4.267 grade point average.
Path to Professional Football
Rated as a three-star recruit, Josh Woods committed to the University of Maryland over scholarship offers from Virginia and Delaware. At Maryland, he played four seasons for the Terrapins as a defensive back, working primarily on special teams during his freshman and sophomore years. Over that span, he appeared in 14 total games and registered two tackles while adjusting to the speed of the college game.
Woods broke out as a junior, becoming a key member of the Terrapins secondary by playing in ten games with five starts. He finished that year with 41 tackles, one tackle for loss, and two pass breakups. As a senior, he elevated his production further with 62 tackles, 4.5 tackles for loss, four pass breakups, and two interceptions, even though he missed two games with an injury. Across his college career, Woods appeared in 34 games with 14 starts at safety, totaling 107 tackles, two interceptions, eight pass breakups, and one forced fumble.
Josh Woods Career
Early Career (2018-2019)
Following the 2018 NFL Draft, Josh Woods signed with the Chicago Bears on June 7, 2018, after participating in a veteran mini-camp on a tryout basis. Although he was released at the end of training camp, the Bears re-signed him to their practice squad on September 2, 2018. Woods spent the entire 2018 season on the practice squad while undergoing a significant physical transition, adding 30 pounds to make the move from defensive back to linebacker.
After a strong preseason showing in 2019, Woods made the Bears’ 53-man roster and made his NFL debut on September 29, 2019, against the Minnesota Vikings, playing 15 snaps on special teams. He went on to appear in nine games during his rookie season and finished the year with five total tackles, establishing himself as a reliable special teams contributor and developmental defensive player.
Chicago Bears Tenure (2018-2021)
Josh Woods spent the bulk of his early NFL career with the Chicago Bears, growing from a practice squad prospect into a rotational defender. His steady development was rewarded on March 3, 2021, when the Bears signed him to a contract extension, signaling their confidence in his trajectory. However, his time in Chicago ended shortly after when he was waived on September 6, 2021, before being re-signed to the practice squad.
Detroit Lions Era (2021-2022)
On September 23, 2021, Josh Woods was signed by the Detroit Lions off the Bears’ practice squad, providing him a fresh opportunity in a new defensive scheme. His 2021 season was cut short when he was placed on injured reserve on December 28. The Lions showed faith in his long-term potential by signing him to a one-year contract extension on February 22, 2022, keeping him in Detroit as he worked back to full health.
Arizona Cardinals Period (2023)
Josh Woods joined the Arizona Cardinals on March 23, 2023, signing as a free agent to bring linebacker depth to the roster. His lone season in Arizona was disrupted on December 20, 2023, when he was placed on injured reserve. Despite the setback, the Cardinals stint gave Woods additional defensive experience in a different defensive system.
Atlanta Falcons Era (2024-Present)
On September 17, 2024, Josh Woods was signed to the Atlanta Falcons practice squad, beginning his latest chapter in the NFL. His work on the practice squad and in practice settings earned him a promotion to the active roster on December 28, 2024. The move to Atlanta placed Woods in a defensive environment where his positional flexibility and special teams background could be put to regular use.
Defensive Strengths and Role
Josh Woods has carved out a professional niche as a reliable linebacker and core special teams player. His background as a college safety gives him the coverage skills to match up in space, while the 30 pounds he added with the Bears allowed him to take on bigger run-game responsibilities. That combination of athleticism and physicality has helped him remain a dependable depth piece across multiple organizations.
Notable Events and Milestones
Among Josh Woods’s career milestones are his NFL debut against the Minnesota Vikings on September 29, 2019, his contract extension with the Bears in March 2021, and his promotion to the Atlanta Falcons’ active roster on December 28, 2024. His senior season at McDonogh, capped by a state championship, and his All-Metro recognition from the Baltimore Sun also stand out as formative accomplishments that helped launch his football journey.
Josh Woods Family
Family Background and Football Roots
Josh Woods was raised in Baltimore, Maryland, a city with a deep tradition of producing professional football talent. He attended KIPP Baltimore through eighth grade before enrolling at the McDonogh School, where he developed into a two-way high school star. While his parents and siblings are not part of the public record, his Baltimore upbringing and strong academic record shaped his disciplined approach to the sport.
Personal Life
Josh Woods keeps much of his personal life private, and there are no publicly verified details about a spouse, partner, or children. Off the field, he has built a reputation as a focused and academically accomplished athlete, having earned Academic All-American honors throughout all four years of high school while graduating with a 4.267 grade point average.
2025 Season Outlook
Heading into 2025, Josh Woods enters his first full offseason as a member of the Atlanta Falcons’ active roster. After being promoted late in the 2024 season, he has a clear opportunity to compete for a larger defensive role and to entrench himself as a core special teams player for Atlanta. His ability to play multiple linebacker spots and contribute in coverage should give the Falcons’ coaching staff flexibility in deploying him across different packages.
For Woods, the 2025 season represents a chance to build on his late-2024 momentum and put together his most consistent NFL campaign yet. Staying healthy will be a key priority after stints on injured reserve in both Detroit and Arizona. If he can avoid the injury bug and continue refining his linebacker craft, he has a realistic path to becoming a regular rotational piece within the Falcons’ defense.
Long term, Woods’s track record of moving between teams and adapting to new defensive schemes speaks to his professionalism and work ethic. As the Falcons shape their 2025 roster, his special teams value and positional versatility make him a strong candidate to remain active and contribute in a variety of roles throughout the year.