Kyle Hergel Bio
Kyle Hergel is a Canadian professional American football guard for the Chicago Bears of the National Football League (NFL). Born on October 7, 1999, in Toronto, Ontario, Hergel played college football for the North Dakota Fighting Hawks, Texas State Bobcats, and Boston College Eagles before turning professional. After going unselected in the 2024 NFL Draft, he signed with the New Orleans Saints as an undrafted free agent and later joined the Chicago Bears.
Early Life and Background
Kyle Hergel was born on October 7, 1999, in Toronto, Ontario, Canada, and grew up in nearby Mississauga. He attended Clarkson Secondary School, where he served as team captain but received no Division I college football offers out of high school. Despite the lack of initial recruiting interest, Hergel remained committed to pursuing a college football career.
Hergel initially committed to play at New Mexico Military Institute before receiving a last-minute offer from the North Dakota Fighting Hawks, which he accepted. His path from an unrecruited high school captain to a Division I opportunity marked the beginning of a steady rise through multiple college programs. That late offer from North Dakota opened the door to his eventual professional career.
Path to American Football
Kyle Hergel redshirted his first year at North Dakota in 2018, appearing in only one game. He became a starter in 2019, starting all 12 games at right guard and being chosen the FCS Independent Newcomer of the Year. He described his biggest strength as his nastiness, priding himself on being the meanest player on the field at all times.
Hergel started the first five games of the 2020–21 season before entering the NCAA transfer portal. He transferred to the Texas State Bobcats for the fall 2021 season, where he started all 12 games, mainly at right guard, and earned honorable mention All-Sun Belt Conference recognition. Named a team captain entering the 2022 season, he started all 12 games and was selected first-team all-conference by Pro Football Focus, paving the way for a final collegiate season at Boston College in 2023.
Kyle Hergel Career
Early Career (2023–2024)
Transferring to the Boston College Eagles for his final season of college football in 2023, Hergel started all 13 games and was chosen honorable mention All-Atlantic Coast Conference. He ended his collegiate career with 54 total starts, allowing only five sacks on 1,774 snaps. Following the season, he was invited to the 2024 East–West Shrine Bowl, a showcase that helped solidify his draft-eligible profile.
After going unselected in the 2024 NFL Draft, Hergel signed with the New Orleans Saints as an undrafted free agent. He was also selected by the Saskatchewan Roughriders with the third overall pick of the 2024 CFL Draft. Hergel was waived on August 27, re-signed to the practice squad, elevated to the active roster for the team’s Week 4 game against the Atlanta Falcons, and made his NFL debut in the 26–24 loss, appearing on four special teams snaps.
New Orleans Saints Era (2024–2025)
Kyle Hergel was waived by the Saints on November 2, 2024, and re-signed to the practice squad before being promoted to the active roster on November 30. He was waived again on December 7, re-signed to the practice squad on December 10, and signed to the active roster on December 28. The repeated movement between the practice squad and active roster illustrated the organization’s interest in developing him as an interior offensive lineman.
Hergel was waived by the Saints on August 25, 2025, ending his initial NFL tenure with New Orleans. His time with the Saints gave him his first NFL exposure and allowed him to gain valuable practice and game-day experience. The waiver set the stage for his next professional opportunity.
Chicago Bears Era (2025–Present)
On November 4, 2025, Kyle Hergel signed with the Chicago Bears’ practice squad. The move provided a fresh start with a new organization looking to add depth along the offensive line. Hergel’s arrival in Chicago continues his journey as a Canadian-born interior lineman pursuing a sustained NFL career.
Driving Style and Strengths
Hergel has consistently described his playing identity around physicality and finishing blocks through the whistle. His college production, allowing only five sacks on 1,774 snaps across 54 starts, reflects a lineman who prioritizes pass protection and run-game leverage. Coaches have relied on his versatility to line up at guard while contributing on special teams when called upon.
Notable Events and Milestones
Hergel’s most notable milestone came with his NFL debut in Week 4 of the 2024 season against the Atlanta Falcons. He was also a third-overall CFL Draft selection by the Saskatchewan Roughriders and an East–West Shrine Bowl invitee. His 54 career college starts rank among the more experienced rookie linemen to enter the league in recent years.
Kyle Hergel Career Wins
Kyle Hergel has not been credited with individual game wins in the traditional statistical sense typically tracked for offensive linemen. His professional resume highlights roster movement, including practice squad promotions, active-roster elevations, and an NFL debut with the New Orleans Saints. His collegiate achievements include the FCS Independent Newcomer of the Year award, an All-Sun Belt Conference honorable mention, first-team all-conference honors from Pro Football Focus, and All-ACC honorable mention recognition.
College Highlights
Kyle Hergel’s first major college award came as the FCS Independent Newcomer of the Year in 2019 at North Dakota. At Texas State, he earned All-Sun Belt honorable mention in 2021 and Pro Football Focus first-team all-conference honors in 2022, the same year he was named a team captain. His final collegiate season at Boston College in 2023 ended with All-ACC honorable mention recognition and an invitation to the East–West Shrine Bowl.
Kyle Hergel Family
Family Background and Racing Lineage
Detailed information about Kyle Hergel’s parents and immediate family has not been publicly verified. He was raised in Mississauga, in the Greater Toronto Area of Ontario, and attended Clarkson Secondary School, where he served as team captain.
Personal Life
Kyle Hergel has not publicly disclosed details about a spouse or children. His personal narrative centers on his development as an offensive lineman from an unrecruited high school captain to an NFL practice squad player.
2025 Season Performance
Kyle Hergel spent the early part of the 2025 NFL season with the New Orleans Saints before being waived on August 25, 2025. He then signed with the Chicago Bears’ practice squad on November 4, 2025, giving him a new opportunity to compete for an active-roster role. His path through multiple practice squad moves reflects the typical development arc of an undrafted interior lineman.
The 2025 season represents a transitional chapter for Hergel, who is seeking to establish stability after a year of frequent roster movement. Joining the Bears gives him access to a new coaching staff, a new offensive line room, and a chance to earn his way onto the active game-day roster. His prior NFL experience with the Saints, including his debut against Atlanta, provides a foundation for further growth.
Looking ahead, Hergel’s focus will be on impressing in practice, earning special teams opportunities, and eventually securing a long-term spot on an NFL active roster. His combination of college starting experience, durability, and physical playstyle aligns with the profile of late-developing offensive linemen who carve out extended careers. The Chicago Bears organization offers the latest platform for him to continue that development.