Kelvin Beachum Bio
Kelvin Lee Beachum Jr. is an American professional football offensive tackle for the Arizona Cardinals of the National Football League (NFL). Born on June 8, 1989, in Mexia, Texas, Beachum played college football for the SMU Mustangs before being drafted in the seventh round of the 2012 NFL Draft by the Pittsburgh Steelers. Over his career, he has also played for the Jacksonville Jaguars and New York Jets, becoming known for his strong performance as a tackle. Beachum is highly regarded for his leadership both on and off the field.
Standing 6 feet 3 inches tall and weighing around 308 pounds, Beachum has built a reputation as a reliable pass protector and a respected voice in the locker room. Beyond his on-field work, he serves on the National Football League Players Association advisory board and has been widely recognized for his community efforts.
Early Life and Background
Kelvin Lee Beachum Jr. was born on June 8, 1989, in Mexia, Texas. He grew up in the small community and attended Mexia High School, where he began playing organized football and developed the fundamentals that would shape his future career. His early environment in central Texas helped shape his work ethic and his close connection to family.
Beachum came from a supportive household that encouraged him to pursue both academics and athletics. His faith and family ties remained important as he advanced through school, and those values continue to guide his approach to the game and his community work today.
Path to American Football
Beachum continued his football journey at Southern Methodist University, where he played offensive left tackle for the SMU Mustangs. He became a four-year starter for the program and competed in the NFLPA Collegiate Bowl, gaining valuable experience against top collegiate talent. During his time at SMU, he played alongside future NFL lineman Josh LeRibeus, who was later picked in the third round of the NFL draft by the Washington Redskins.
His college performance earned him multiple All-Conference USA honors. Beachum was named Second-team All-C-USA in 2009 and then earned First-team All-C-USA selections in both 2010 and 2011, establishing himself as one of the top offensive linemen in the conference. These accolades helped set the stage for his entry into professional football.
Coming out of college, Beachum was projected by most analysts to be selected in the seventh round or to sign as a priority undrafted free agent. Although he lacked ideal size for an offensive tackle, scouts praised his lateral movement and quickness off the ball. He was invited to the NFL Combine and participated in SMU’s Pro Day, where he continued to demonstrate his athletic traits.
Kelvin Beachum Career
Early Career (2012–2013)
The Pittsburgh Steelers selected Kelvin Lee Beachum Jr. in the seventh round, 248th overall, of the 2012 NFL Draft. He was the 20th and final offensive tackle taken and the third offensive lineman drafted by the Steelers that year. Shortly after the draft, on May 10, 2012, the Steelers signed Beachum to a four-year, $2.14 million contract that included a signing bonus of $49,816.
Beachum made his professional regular season debut on September 23, 2012, in a 34–31 loss to the Oakland Raiders, and he earned his first career start at right tackle on November 18, 2012, in a 13–10 loss to the Baltimore Ravens. He finished his rookie season with five starts in seven games, playing 314 offensive snaps. In 2013, he became the Steelers’ de facto starting left tackle after entering the year in a competitive depth chart, and he finished the season with 12 starts in 15 games while playing 840 offensive snaps.
Pittsburgh Steelers Breakthrough (2012–2015)
Entering the 2014 season, Beachum became Pittsburgh’s full-time starting left tackle and delivered one of his strongest years. He started all 16 regular season games and was ranked the fifth-best left tackle by Pro Football Focus, finishing with a +21.7 overall grade and a 97.5 grade in pass blocking efficiency. He ranked third in pass blocking efficiency among tackles, trailing only Andrew Whitworth and Joe Thomas.
The Steelers offered Beachum a contract extension entering his final year under his rookie deal, but he declined. In 2015, he started at left tackle before suffering a torn left anterior cruciate ligament during a 25–13 victory over the Arizona Cardinals on October 18, 2015, which placed him on injured reserve for the rest of the season. While with the Steelers, Beachum appeared in 44 games and made 39 starts.
Jacksonville Jaguars Era (2016)
On March 9, 2016, Beachum became a free agent and was ranked by Pro Football Focus as the second-best free agent offensive tackle behind Cordy Glenn. He met with several teams, including the New York Jets, Seattle Seahawks, and Jacksonville Jaguars. On March 15, 2016, the Jacksonville Jaguars signed Beachum to a one-year, $5 million contract that included a four-year, $40 million option and $1.5 million in guarantees.
Beachum competed with Luke Joeckel for the starting left tackle job and was named the starter by head coach Gus Bradley. He started the season-opener against the Green Bay Packers and went on to start 15 games, despite dealing with a concussion that kept him out for one week. He surrendered 49 quarterback pressures, the 11th most among offensive tackles that season, and received a 44.3 PFF production grade that ranked him 63rd out of 78 qualifying tackles. The Jaguars declined his four-year option in February 2017, making him a free agent again.
New York Jets Era (2017–2019)
On March 10, 2017, the New York Jets signed Beachum to a three-year, $24 million contract that included $12 million in guarantees and a $4.5 million signing bonus. He entered training camp competing with Ben Ijalana for the starting left tackle spot vacated by the departure of Ryan Clady, and head coach Todd Bowles named Beachum the starter for the regular season.
Beachum started all 16 games for the Jets in 2017 and performed well, receiving a 72.7 overall grade from PFF, compared to Clady’s 47.2 grade the year before. He remained with the Jets through the 2019 season, providing stability at the left tackle position during his three-year stay in New York.
Arizona Cardinals Era (2020–Present)
On July 17, 2020, the Arizona Cardinals signed Beachum to a one-year contract, and he started all 16 games at right tackle that season. On March 16, 2021, he signed a two-year, $4 million contract extension with the team, and he later agreed to a two-year, $5.15 million contract extension on March 14, 2023. Most recently, on April 3, 2025, Beachum signed a one-year contract to return to the Cardinals.
Since joining Arizona, Beachum has served as a veteran presence along the offensive line, contributing in both starting and rotational roles. His steady play and leadership have helped anchor the Cardinals’ front, and his continued involvement with the team reflects his value as a reliable, experienced lineman.
Notable Events and Milestones
One of the defining milestones of Kelvin Lee Beachum Jr.’s career came in 2014, when he ranked fifth among NFL left tackles and third in pass blocking efficiency behind only Andrew Whitworth and Joe Thomas. Another major moment came off the field in 2017, when Beachum appeared on an episode of the HGTV program Fixer Upper and helped his parents renovate a new house by contributing an extra $100,000 toward their $130,000 renovation budget.
Kelvin Beachum Career Wins
Kelvin Lee Beachum Jr. has built a reputation as a durable and dependable offensive tackle across more than a decade in the NFL. From his early starts with the Pittsburgh Steelers to his current role with the Arizona Cardinals, he has been valued for his consistency, his football intelligence, and his ability to protect the quarterback. His longevity across multiple franchises stands as one of the most notable achievements of his professional career.
Kelvin Beachum Family
Family Background and Racing Lineage
Kelvin Lee Beachum Jr. grew up in Mexia, Texas, where his family provided a strong support system throughout his athletic development. His parents remained closely involved in his life, and in 2017, Beachum helped them renovate a new home, reflecting the close bond he shares with his family.
Personal Life
Kelvin Lee Beachum Jr. is married to Jessica Beachum, and the couple has three children. He is a Christian and has spoken openly about how his faith guides his work on and off the field. Beachum is also a supporter of charitable organizations including Bread for the World, Feeding America, and World Vision, and he serves on the National Football League Players Association advisory board, where he has been named the weekly NFL Players Association Community MVP Award a record five times.
2025 Season Performance
Kelvin Lee Beachum Jr. is set to continue his role with the Arizona Cardinals after signing a one-year contract on April 3, 2025. His return provides the Cardinals with veteran depth and experience along the offensive line heading into the new season. As one of the longest-tenured players on the roster, Beachum’s presence is expected to support the development of younger linemen while maintaining stability at the tackle position.
Throughout the offseason, Beachum’s leadership and community involvement have continued to draw recognition, reinforcing his reputation as a respected voice in the locker room. His consistent work ethic and commitment to preparation position him to contribute meaningfully during the 2025 campaign.
Looking ahead, Beachum remains focused on helping the Cardinals compete at a high level while continuing his off-field efforts through the NFLPA and various charitable initiatives. His combination of experience, durability, and leadership makes him a valuable asset for Arizona as the team works toward its goals in the 2025 season.