Lucas Niang Bio
Lucas Balthazar Niang is a French American professional football offensive tackle for the Washington Commanders of the National Football League (NFL). Standing 198 centimeters tall and listed at 143 kilograms, he plays a premium position on the offensive line and is recognized for his durability during his college career. He is also notable as the first French national to appear in and win a Super Bowl.
Niang played college football at TCU and was selected by the Kansas City Chiefs in the third round of the 2020 NFL draft with the 96th overall pick. After winning two Super Bowl championships with Kansas City, he signed with the Washington Commanders in 2025 as he continues his professional career.
Early Life and Background
Lucas Balthazar Niang was born on August 18, 1998, in New York City. When he was four years old, his family relocated to Geneva, Switzerland, where he lived for two years before returning to the United States. The family settled in New Canaan, Connecticut, the community where he grew up and still considers his home.
Niang began playing football with the Pop Warner league in New Canaan in third grade, marking the start of his lifelong connection to the sport. He also played basketball and tennis while growing up, but football quickly became his primary focus. At New Canaan High School, he played on both sides of the line of scrimmage and helped lead the Rams to three consecutive state championships from 2013 to 2015.
During his high school years, Niang earned two All-FCIAC selections as a junior and senior. In his senior season, he was named an All-State First Team selection by both the Coaches Association and the New Haven Register, establishing himself as one of the top offensive line prospects in the region.
Path to American Football
Niang was a highly recruited prospect coming out of high school, receiving approximately 40 scholarship offers from programs including TCU, Penn State, Auburn, Miami, and Georgia. He ultimately chose to enroll at TCU, where he would develop into one of the most dependable offensive linemen in the Big 12 Conference.
After arriving at TCU in 2016, Niang appeared in 12 of the Horned Frogs’ 13 games as a true freshman. Midway through his sophomore season in 2017, he earned a starting role and helped lead the program to its first-ever berth in the Big 12 Championship Game, followed by a victory over Stanford in the 2017 Alamo Bowl.
Entering his junior year in 2018, Niang started all 13 games at right tackle and did not allow a sack during the entire season. His performance earned him Second Team All-Big 12 honors and helped TCU defeat California in the 2018 Cheez-It Bowl, cementing his status as a top NFL prospect.
Lucas Niang Career
Early Career (2020–2021)
The Kansas City Chiefs selected Lucas Niang in the third round of the 2020 NFL draft with the 96th overall pick. On August 6, 2020, he announced that he would opt out of the season due to the COVID-19 pandemic, preserving his rookie eligibility while preparing for his first full NFL campaign.
In 2021, Niang was named the Chiefs’ starting right tackle to begin the regular season. He started seven of the first nine games before missing time with shoulder and ribs injuries. He made his first career start at left tackle in Week 17 but suffered a torn patellar tendon during the game and was placed on injured reserve on January 7, 2022.
Kansas City Chiefs Era (2020–2024)
After recovering from his knee injury, Niang was placed on the reserve/PUP list on August 23, 2022, and was activated three months later as he returned to the lineup. He went on to win his first Super Bowl when the Chiefs defeated the Philadelphia Eagles in Super Bowl LVII, becoming the first French national ever to play in and win a Super Bowl.
The following season, Niang won a second consecutive Super Bowl championship when Kansas City edged the San Francisco 49ers 25–22 in Super Bowl LVIII. His two rings place him among the rare offensive linemen to claim back-to-back titles at the start of their career.
Niang was waived by the Chiefs on August 27, 2024, and re-signed to the practice squad. He was released on November 26, 2024, bringing his initial NFL tenure to a close after five seasons with the franchise that drafted him.
Washington Commanders Era (2025–Present)
On July 30, 2025, Niang signed with the Washington Commanders, beginning a new chapter in his professional career. He looked to compete for a starting role along the offensive line as he joined a Commanders team building momentum around a young core.
Niang suffered a torn ACL during the first preseason game and was placed on injured reserve on August 11, 2025. The injury delayed his debut season in Washington, but the team kept him under contract as he worked through rehabilitation.
Driving Style and Strengths
While not a driver in the racing sense, Niang has built his reputation on the football field through pass protection and run blocking consistency. His college career at TCU featured an extraordinary 28-game stretch as a starter without allowing a sack, paired with only two holding calls and no false starts across three seasons.
Notable Events and Milestones
Niang’s signature achievements include becoming the first French national to play in and win a Super Bowl, capturing back-to-back championships in Super Bowl LVII and Super Bowl LVIII, and being selected in the third round of the 2020 NFL draft. His selection to Second Team All-Big 12 in 2018 and his sack-free junior season stand as the foundation of his professional resume.
Lucas Niang Career Wins
Lucas Niang has collected two of the most prestigious team championships in American football during his early professional career. Both titles came with the Kansas City Chiefs, where he contributed as a starting or rotational offensive tackle during two of the most memorable postseason runs in recent NFL history.
Super Bowl Highlights
Niang earned his first Super Bowl ring when the Chiefs defeated the Philadelphia Eagles in Super Bowl LVII. The following year, he won his second straight championship when Kansas City defeated the San Francisco 49ers 25–22 in Super Bowl LVIII, completing one of the most dominant two-year stretches in franchise history.
Other Wins and Performances
Beyond his professional championships, Niang was a three-time state champion at New Canaan High School from 2013 to 2015. At TCU, he helped the Horned Frogs win the 2017 Alamo Bowl over Stanford and the 2018 Cheez-It Bowl against California.
Lucas Niang Family
Family Background and Racing Lineage
Lucas Niang’s parents moved to the United States from France, and he grew up in a bilingual household that helped him become fluent in French. His father is from France and his mother is from Côte d’Ivoire, giving him a multicultural background that shaped his early years.
Personal Life
Niang resides in New Canaan, Connecticut, and remains closely tied to the community where he first played football. His family heritage and international upbringing have made him a distinctive figure among NFL offensive linemen.
2025 Season Performance
Lucas Niang entered the 2025 NFL season with the Washington Commanders after signing with the team on July 30, 2025. The move marked his first opportunity outside the Kansas City Chiefs organization and gave him a chance to compete for a starting role on a retooled offensive line.
His 2025 debut was delayed when he suffered a torn ACL during the first preseason game, leading to a placement on injured reserve on August 11, 2025. The injury interrupted his momentum shortly after joining the Commanders but did not end his season.
Looking ahead, Niang’s outlook for the remainder of 2025 centers on his recovery and eventual return to the active roster. With two Super Bowl championships already on his resume, his experience and durability make him a valuable asset for Washington as he works toward contributing again at full strength.