Marcus Haynes Bio
Marcus Haynes, born on April 7, 1998, in Bowie, Maryland, is an American professional football linebacker known for his perseverance through multiple NFL stops. After playing college football for the Old Dominion Monarchs, he signed with the Denver Broncos as an undrafted free agent in 2023 and has since continued to pursue his professional career across several organizations. Standing 6 feet 4 inches tall and weighing 240 pounds, Haynes has built his reputation on toughness, adaptability, and a willingness to compete for every roster opportunity.
Haynes is the older brother of offensive guard Christian Haynes, a connection that reflects the family’s deep roots in the sport. Since entering the professional ranks, he has suited up for the Denver Broncos, Houston Texans, Cleveland Browns, Pittsburgh Steelers, and San Antonio Brahmas, most recently joining the Indianapolis Colts. His journey illustrates the resilience required of undrafted players working to establish themselves in professional football.
Early Life and Background
Marcus Haynes grew up in Bowie, Maryland, a community located in the Washington, D.C., metropolitan area that helped shape his athletic foundation. He attended Bowie High School, where he was a multi-sport athlete who played football, basketball, and competed in track and field. That combination of sports helped Haynes develop both his physical conditioning and competitive mindset during his formative years.
Looking to further refine his football skills before college, Haynes transferred to Fork Union Military Academy, a well-known program that has produced numerous professional players. After his time at Fork Union, he emerged as a three-star recruit and drew interest from several college programs, including Cincinnati and Colorado State. He ultimately committed to Old Dominion, where he would spend the next several years developing into an NFL-caliber defender.
Path to American Football
Haynes’s path to professional football began in earnest at Old Dominion University, where he joined the Monarchs program as a freshman in 2017. He redshirted that first season, allowing him to adjust to the college game while preserving a year of eligibility. By the 2018 season, Haynes had worked his way onto the field, appearing in all 12 games at defensive line and recording seven solo tackles along with 2.0 sacks.
His role expanded in 2019, when he started three of the team’s 12 games at defensive end and produced 21 tackles, 6.5 tackles for loss, and 3.5 sacks. After the 2020 season was cancelled because of the COVID-19 pandemic, Haynes returned in 2021 to play all 13 games with six starts, finishing the year with 5.5 sacks and a forced fumble. His senior campaign in 2022 proved to be his most productive, as he started all 12 games and posted 47 total tackles, 7.5 tackles for loss, and 4.0 sacks, drawing the attention of NFL scouts despite going undrafted the following spring.
Marcus Haynes Career
Early Career (2023)
Haynes’s professional career began on May 5, 2023, when the Denver Broncos signed him as an undrafted free agent. He spent training camp with the organization before being waived on August 29, 2023, as part of the league’s annual roster reductions. The Broncos quickly brought him back on August 30, signing him to their practice squad and giving him an opportunity to develop within their system.
His time on Denver’s active roster proved brief, as he was released on November 27, 2023. Despite the setback, Haynes used the experience to adjust to the speed and complexity of the professional game, preparing himself for his next opportunity in the league.
Denver Broncos Breakthrough (2023)
Although Haynes never appeared in a regular-season game for the Denver Broncos, his signing represented a significant breakthrough in his career. As an undrafted free agent out of Old Dominion, he had earned an invitation to an NFL training camp and spent time on Denver’s practice squad. The experience allowed him to learn from established NFL coaches and players, sharpening the techniques he would carry to subsequent organizations.
Houston Texans and Cleveland Browns Era (2024)
On February 16, 2024, Haynes signed a reserve/futures contract with the Houston Texans, giving him a chance to compete for a role heading into the new league year. He was waived on May 28, 2024, before the start of training camp. Shortly after, on August 6, 2024, he signed with the Cleveland Browns but was waived just six days later as the team finalized its roster.
Haynes returned to Cleveland later that year, signing with the team’s practice squad on October 9, 2024. After remaining with the organization through the end of the season, he signed a reserve/future contract with the Browns on January 6, 2025, only to be waived on May 12, 2025. Throughout this period, he continued to refine his pass-rushing technique and his ability to play both defensive end and linebacker at the professional level.
Pittsburgh Steelers Era (2024)
Haynes signed with the Pittsburgh Steelers on August 20, 2024, in another effort to find a permanent NFL home. He was waived a week later, on August 27, and re-signed to the Steelers practice squad the same day. The Steelers released him on September 10, 2024, before re-signing him to the practice squad on September 24, 2024, only to part ways again a week later.
Despite the constant movement, Haynes gained valuable insight into the Steelers’ defensive philosophy and continued to build relationships with position coaches around the league. His stops in Pittsburgh highlighted both the challenges and the persistence required of practice squad players seeking a stable roster role.
San Antonio Brahmas Era (2024–2025)
On August 2, 2024, Haynes signed with the San Antonio Brahmas of the United Football League, looking for more consistent playing time. His contract was terminated just four days later, on August 6, 2024. He later returned to the Brahmas on May 20, 2025, re-entering the spring football league to showcase his skills on a broader stage.
Indianapolis Colts Era (2025–Present)
Haynes signed with the Indianapolis Colts on August 13, 2025, joining the team late in the offseason. He was waived on August 26, 2025, as part of the Colts’ final roster cuts heading into the regular season. His time in Indianapolis, while brief on the active roster, added another chapter to his ongoing effort to carve out a long-term professional career.
Notable Events and Milestones
One of the defining moments of Haynes’s career came in his senior season at Old Dominion, when he started all 12 games in 2022 and posted career highs with 47 tackles and 7.5 tackles for loss. His performance that year positioned him for an NFL opportunity, leading to his signing with the Denver Broncos in May 2023. Repeatedly signing and re-signing with practice squads has also marked his professional journey, demonstrating his persistence across multiple organizations.
Marcus Haynes Career Wins
As a linebacker and defensive end who has primarily spent time on practice squads, Haynes has notched limited regular-season game statistics at the professional level. His most productive statistical stretch came during his senior season at Old Dominion, where he recorded 4.0 sacks, 7.5 tackles for loss, and a forced fumble. The consistent contract movement between active rosters and practice squads underscores both the volatility of his early professional path and his determination to remain in the sport.
Other Wins and Performances
During his time at Old Dominion, Haynes developed into a reliable edge defender, recording at least 2.0 sacks in every season from 2018 through 2022. His junior year in 2021 produced 5.5 sacks, while his senior campaign in 2022 added another 4.0 sacks to close out his college career. Those contributions helped establish the foundation for his transition to the professional ranks.
Marcus Haynes Family
Family Background and Racing Lineage
Marcus Haynes comes from a family with clear athletic ties, most notably his younger brother, Christian Haynes, who plays as an offensive guard. The two brothers have both pursued football at the highest levels, with Marcus navigating the professional ranks as a linebacker and Christian establishing himself as an offensive lineman. Their shared commitment to the sport highlights a family tradition rooted in competition and athletic development.
Personal Life
Born and raised in Bowie, Maryland, Haynes continues to carry the values of discipline and perseverance that he developed growing up in his hometown. He attended both Bowie High School and Fork Union Military Academy, two institutions known for shaping well-rounded athletes. His journey through multiple NFL practice squads and the UFL has reflected his commitment to the game and his determination to maximize every opportunity.
2025 Season Performance
Haynes’s 2025 season has been marked by a series of short-term signings across multiple organizations. He re-signed with the San Antonio Brahmas of the United Football League on May 20, 2025, looking to secure a meaningful role in the spring league. That stint was followed by a brief opportunity with the Indianapolis Colts, who signed him on August 13 before waiving him as part of final roster cuts on August 26.
Throughout 2025, Haynes has continued to rely on the versatility that defined his college career, offering teams the ability to play both defensive end and linebacker. His familiarity with multiple defensive schemes, developed across stints with the Broncos, Texans, Browns, and Steelers, has made him a dependable practice squad option for organizations seeking depth on the edge.
As the 2025 season progresses, Haynes’s outlook centers on finding a stable roster home where he can contribute on special teams and as a rotational pass rusher. His persistence through repeated signings and releases suggests that he remains committed to extending his professional career, regardless of the obstacles in his path.