M.J. Stewart Bio
Marvin Stewart Jr., commonly known as M.J. Stewart, is an American professional football safety for the Houston Texans of the National Football League (NFL). He played college football for the North Carolina Tar Heels before being selected by the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in the second round of the 2018 NFL draft. Over the course of his professional career, Stewart has also been a member of the Cleveland Browns and has continued to contribute as a defensive back at the NFL level.
Standing 5 feet 11 inches tall and weighing approximately 205 pounds, Stewart has built his reputation on physicality, versatility, and a willingness to play in multiple roles across the secondary. He has shown steady development since entering the league and has remained a reliable presence on special teams and in defensive packages.
Early Life and Background
Marvin Stewart Jr. was born on September 16, 1995, in Arlington, Virginia, in the United States. He grew up in the Arlington area and attended Yorktown High School, where he began to attract attention as a multi-sport athlete. His size, speed, and instincts on the football field made him one of the more closely followed local prospects in northern Virginia during his high school years.
Stewart came from a supportive family environment that encouraged his athletic development, and his upbringing in the Washington, D.C., metropolitan area exposed him to a competitive football culture. At Yorktown, he played multiple positions in the secondary and on offense, which helped shape his understanding of the game from different perspectives.
His performances at Yorktown earned him scholarship offers from several college programs, and he ultimately committed to the University of North Carolina. That decision allowed him to remain relatively close to home while pursuing his goal of playing at the highest level of college football.
Path to American Football
Stewart enrolled at the University of North Carolina and quickly worked his way into the Tar Heels’ defensive backfield. During his sophomore season, he was suspended from the team due to a violation of team rules along with teammate Mike Hughes, and he was later charged with misdemeanor assault and battery. The charges were eventually dropped, and Stewart was reinstated to the team less than a week later.
Following the suspension, Stewart returned to the field and resumed his role as a regular contributor in the secondary. There was speculation that he might forgo his senior year and declare for the 2017 NFL draft, but he ultimately announced that he would return for the 2017 season. That decision gave him another full year to refine his technique and improve his draft stock.
After his senior season, Stewart was recognized for his play with a selection to the First-team All-Atlantic Coast Conference by Pro Football Focus, building on an earlier Second-team All-ACC honor in 2015. His combination of production, experience, and measurables positioned him as one of the top defensive back prospects heading into the 2018 NFL draft.
M.J. Stewart Career
Early Career (2018–2019)
The Tampa Bay Buccaneers selected Stewart in the second round, 53rd overall, of the 2018 NFL draft, making him the fifth cornerback taken in that year’s class. On May 10, 2018, the Buccaneers signed him to a four-year, $5.08 million contract that included $2.48 million in guaranteed money and a signing bonus of $1.77 million. Stewart entered training camp competing for a starting role against Ryan Smith, Vernon Hargreaves, and Carlton Davis.
Head coach Dirk Koetter initially listed Stewart as the fifth cornerback on the depth chart behind Brent Grimes, Hargreaves, Davis, and Smith. Stewart made his regular-season debut in the Buccaneers’ opener at the New Orleans Saints, recording four solo tackles in a 48–40 victory. After Hargreaves went down with a shoulder injury, Stewart earned his first career start the following week and went on to finish his rookie season with 33 combined tackles and three pass deflections in 11 games with five starts. On August 6, 2020, he was waived by Tampa Bay.
Tampa Bay Buccaneers Breakthrough (2018–2019)
Stewart’s first two NFL seasons with the Buccaneers gave him valuable experience in a young, developing secondary. After taking over a starting role mid-rookie season, he faced the Pittsburgh Steelers in Week 3 and collected a season-high nine solo tackles while breaking up a pass attempt in a 30–27 loss. A foot injury sidelined him for five games between Weeks 9 and 13, and during that absence Ryan Smith took over the starting cornerback spot.
Even after returning, Stewart remained a backup for the final four games of the season. Still, his rookie production and willingness to contribute on special teams helped solidify his place in the Buccaneers’ plans heading into 2019. He continued to develop his understanding of NFL schemes and refine his technique in coverage and run support.
Cleveland Browns Era (2020–2021)
Stewart was claimed off waivers by the Cleveland Browns on August 8, 2020, and quickly carved out a role on defense and special teams. In Week 4 against the Dallas Cowboys, he recorded his first career sack on quarterback Dak Prescott during a 49–38 win, a signature early moment with his new team. In Week 13 against the Tennessee Titans, Stewart added his first career interception off a pass thrown by Ryan Tannehill in a 41–35 victory.
Stewart’s most memorable performance with the Browns came in the wild card round of the playoffs against the Pittsburgh Steelers, when he led the team with 10 tackles and intercepted a pass from Ben Roethlisberger in a 48–37 win. On October 12, 2021, he was placed on injured reserve, but he was activated on November 13 and continued to contribute through the remainder of the season before eventually moving on.
Houston Texans Era (2022–Present)
On March 24, 2022, Stewart signed with the Houston Texans, beginning a new chapter in his career. On March 15, 2023, he signed a two-year contract extension with the Texans, and on November 7 of that year, he was placed on injured reserve. Stewart re-signed with the Texans on March 11, 2025, for his fourth season with the team, reinforcing his value in the secondary and on special teams.
During the 2025 season, Stewart appeared in nine games with four starts and recorded two pass deflections, one forced fumble, and 25 combined tackles. On November 9, it was announced that he would require season-ending surgery to repair a torn quadriceps suffered in Week 10 against the Jacksonville Jaguars. Despite the injury, his role and production reflected his continued importance to the Texans’ defense.
Notable Events and Milestones
Among Stewart’s signature career moments are his first career sack on Dak Prescott in 2020, his first career interception off Ryan Tannehill later that season, and his 10-tacle, one-interception performance in a Browns playoff win over the Steelers. Being drafted in the second round by Tampa Bay in 2018 and later extending his stay in Houston through 2025 further underscore his longevity and value as a professional defensive back.
M.J. Stewart Family
Personal Life
Marvin Stewart Jr. was raised in Arlington, Virginia, and has remained connected to that community throughout his professional career. He maintains an active presence on social media under the Instagram handle checkout_marv, where he shares updates from his life and career. Public details about his personal relationships, marital status, and family life beyond his upbringing have not been widely disclosed.
2025 Season Performance
Marvin Stewart Jr. entered the 2025 NFL season with the Houston Texans after re-signing on March 11, 2025, for his fourth year with the club. He played in nine games and made four starts, contributing two pass deflections, one forced fumble, and 25 combined tackles while serving as a versatile piece of the secondary and special teams units.
His season was cut short in Week 10 against the Jacksonville Jaguars when he suffered a torn quadriceps. The injury was significant enough that on November 9, the Texans announced he would require season-ending surgery to repair the damage. Despite the early end to his campaign, Stewart’s production in the games he played reinforced his standing within the organization.
Looking ahead, Stewart’s familiarity with the Texans’ defensive system and his willingness to contribute in multiple roles position him as a candidate to return once he recovers. His contract is set to run through 2025, and his continued presence in Houston reflects the franchise’s confidence in his professionalism and ability.