Matthew Bergeron Bio
Matthew Kambolambi Bergeron is a Canadian professional football guard for the Atlanta Falcons of the National Football League (NFL). Born on February 26, 2000, in Victoriaville, Quebec, Bergeron moved to the United States to play college football at Syracuse University before being drafted by the Atlanta Falcons in the second round of the 2023 NFL Draft.
Standing 6 feet 5 inches tall and weighing approximately 143 kilograms, Bergeron plays the guard position and has quickly established himself as a reliable offensive lineman at the professional level. As a native French speaker who learned English in school, he represents the growing international presence in the NFL.
Early Life and Background
Matthew Kambolambi Bergeron was born on February 26, 2000, in Victoriaville, Quebec, Canada. He was born to a Congolese father and a Quebec-born mother, giving him a multicultural heritage that bridges African and Canadian traditions. Growing up in the predominantly French-speaking province of Quebec, Bergeron was raised as a native French speaker and learned English later through his schooling.
Bergeron attended Cégep de Thetford, where he played for the school’s gridiron football team. His time at the collegiate level in Quebec helped him develop the foundational skills that would eventually catch the attention of American college football recruiters. It was during this period that Bergeron began to envision a future playing football at the highest levels of the sport.
Seeking greater opportunities in American football, Bergeron made the decision to move to the United States and enroll at Syracuse University. He graduated from Syracuse with a degree in social work from the David B. Falk College of Sport and Human Dynamics, demonstrating his commitment to education alongside his athletic pursuits.
Path to American Football
Matthew Bergeron’s path to professional American football began in the Canadian collegiate system at Cégep de Thetford, where he played gridiron football and honed his skills as an offensive lineman. The Canadian game provided him with a solid foundation, but Bergeron’s ambitions led him southward to test himself against the best college football talent in the United States.
His recruitment to Syracuse University marked a significant transition in his career, as he moved from Canadian collegiate football to the highly competitive Atlantic Coast Conference (ACC) in the NCAA. The adjustment included adapting to a different style of play and competing against top-tier collegiate athletes on a weekly basis.
During his time at Syracuse, Bergeron showcased the versatility and toughness that would later make him an attractive NFL prospect. His development in the ACC laid the groundwork for his eventual selection in the 2023 NFL Draft, where he would become one of the most notable Canadian players to enter the league that year.
Matthew Bergeron Career
Early Career at Syracuse (2019-2020)
Matthew Bergeron joined the Syracuse Orange and quickly worked his way into a significant role on the offensive line. As a freshman, he appeared in all 12 games for the Orange, earning five starts at right tackle. His early playing time demonstrated the coaching staff’s confidence in his abilities and set the stage for further development.
During his sophomore season, Bergeron started all 11 games, beginning the year at right tackle before transitioning to left tackle for the final eight games of the season. This positional flexibility showcased his adaptability and football intelligence, traits that would later define his professional career. By the end of his sophomore campaign, he had established himself as a mainstay on the Syracuse offensive line.
Syracuse Breakthrough (2021-2022)
Bergeron continued his ascent during his junior year in 2021, when he was named honorable mention All-Atlantic Coast Conference (ACC). This recognition affirmed his status as one of the top offensive linemen in the conference and highlighted his consistency in both pass protection and run blocking. Over his four seasons at Syracuse, he played in 46 of the team’s games, making 39 starts between right tackle and left tackle.
Entering his junior season in 2022, Bergeron was voted a team captain, reflecting the respect he had earned from his teammates and coaches. By the end of that season, he was named second-team All-ACC, further cementing his reputation as a premier collegiate offensive lineman. He also attended the 2023 Senior Bowl, where he played as a guard, giving NFL scouts a closer look at his versatility and potential at the next level.
Atlanta Falcons Era (2023-Present)
The Atlanta Falcons selected Matthew Bergeron with the 38th overall pick in the second round of the 2023 NFL Draft. He was also ranked as the number one Canadian prospect ahead of the 2023 CFL Draft, but ultimately went undrafted in that process as he had already committed to the NFL path. Bergeron became the first NFL draftee from his hometown of Victoriaville, Quebec, a historic achievement for his community.
As a rookie with the Atlanta Falcons in the 2023 season, Bergeron started in all 17 games, an impressive feat for a young offensive lineman adjusting to the speed and complexity of the professional game. His immediate impact demonstrated the Falcons’ confidence in their second-round selection and validated the scouting reports that had labeled him as a polished, pro-ready prospect.
Playing Style and Strengths
Matthew Bergeron is known for his positional versatility, having played both tackle and guard at the collegiate and professional levels. His combination of size, athleticism, and football intelligence allows him to adapt to different roles along the offensive line. Bergeron’s experience in both pass protection and run blocking makes him a valuable asset in modern offensive schemes that demand flexibility from their linemen.
Notable Events and Milestones
One of the most significant milestones in Matthew Bergeron’s career came when he was selected 38th overall by the Atlanta Falcons in the 2023 NFL Draft, becoming the first NFL draftee from Victoriaville, Quebec. His ranking as the top Canadian prospect ahead of the 2023 CFL Draft further underscored his standing as one of the premier Canadian football talents of his generation. Starting all 17 games as a rookie added another impressive accomplishment to his early professional resume.
Matthew Bergeron Family
Family Background and Heritage
Matthew Kambolambi Bergeron was born to a Congolese father and a Quebec-born mother, giving him a rich multicultural background. His Congolese heritage and Canadian upbringing have shaped his identity both on and off the football field. Growing up in Victoriaville, Quebec, he was immersed in French-Canadian culture while also maintaining connections to his African roots through his father.
Personal Life
Matthew Bergeron grew up as a native French speaker in Quebec and learned English through his education, a linguistic journey that parallels his athletic transition from Canadian football to the American game. He pursued higher education at Syracuse University, graduating with a degree in social work from the David B. Falk College of Sport and Human Dynamics, reflecting his interest in helping others beyond the football field.
2025 Season Performance
As Matthew Bergeron enters the 2025 NFL season with the Atlanta Falcons, he continues to build on the foundation established during his rookie year in 2023. Having started all 17 games as a first-year player, he has proven his durability and consistency at the professional level. His continued development as a guard will be central to the Falcons’ offensive line plans heading into the new season.
Bergeron remains the first NFL draftee from Victoriaville, Quebec, and carries the pride of his community and country with each snap. His journey from Cégep de Thetford to Syracuse to the Atlanta Falcons serves as an inspiration for young Canadian football players aspiring to reach the highest levels of the sport. The 2025 season presents an opportunity for Bergeron to further solidify his role as a cornerstone of the Falcons’ offensive line.