Messiah Swinson Bio
Messiah Swinson (born April 20, 2000) is an American professional football tight end for the Arizona Cardinals of the National Football League (NFL). Standing 6 feet 7 inches tall and weighing approximately 260 pounds, he plays the position with the frame traditionally associated with pass-catching and blocking tight ends at the professional level. After going undrafted in the 2024 NFL Draft, Swinson has worked his way onto multiple practice squads before landing with the Cardinals.
Swinson played college football for the Missouri Tigers and the Arizona State Sun Devils. He attended Long Island Lutheran in Brookville, New York, before launching his college career. His professional journey has taken him through several organizations as he continues to develop at the NFL level.
Early Life and Background
Messiah Swinson was born on April 20, 2000, in Bay Shore, New York. He grew up on Long Island and attended Long Island Lutheran, a private school located in Brookville, New York. Long Island Lutheran has produced several notable football prospects, and Swinson developed his frame and skills in that program during his high school years.
Coming out of high school, Swinson was rated as a three-star recruit. His size and athleticism made him an attractive prospect for college programs, and he ultimately committed to play college football for the Missouri Tigers of the Southeastern Conference. The decision to begin his college career in the SEC provided him with an early opportunity to compete against top-tier competition.
Path to American Football
Swinson began his college career at Missouri in 2018, joining a program competing in the SEC. During his four-year career with the Tigers, from 2018 to 2021, he played in 23 games and totaled seven receptions for 84 yards. While his statistical impact was modest, his development within the program gave him the foundation to continue his career at a high level.
After the conclusion of the 2021 season, Swinson decided to enter his name into the NCAA transfer portal, seeking a fresh opportunity to expand his role. He decided to transfer to play for the Arizona State Sun Devils of the Pac-12 Conference. During his two-year career at Arizona State in 2022 and 2023, he appeared in 24 games, notching 21 receptions for 233 yards and two touchdowns. That production helped position him for a professional opportunity.
Messiah Swinson Career
Early Career (2024)
After not being selected in the 2024 NFL Draft, Swinson signed with the Green Bay Packers as an undrafted free agent. The signing gave him an initial foothold in the NFL, and he joined the organization looking to earn a roster spot as a developmental tight end. His path to a consistent role, however, would require moving between several teams during his rookie season.
On September 3, 2024, the Carolina Panthers signed Swinson to their active roster off the Packers’ practice squad. His time in Carolina was brief, as he was waived on September 24, 2024, just weeks after being added. The quick release was part of the typical churn that undrafted players face while trying to establish themselves in the league.
Green Bay Packers Breakthrough (2024-2025)
On September 26, 2024, Swinson signed back with the Green Bay Packers’ practice squad, returning to the organization that originally signed him as an undrafted free agent. He continued to develop within the Packers’ system, and on January 13, he signed a reserve/future contract with Green Bay, securing his place with the team heading into the offseason.
Swinson’s momentum with the Packers carried into the 2025 offseason, and he was part of the team’s roster considerations through the summer. On August 26, 2025, however, Swinson was released by the Packers as part of final roster cuts. The release was part of the league-wide process of trimming rosters to the regular-season limit.
San Francisco 49ers Era (2025)
On September 10, 2025, Swinson was signed to the San Francisco 49ers’ practice squad, giving him another opportunity to continue his professional development. His time with the 49ers organization lasted just over a month, as he was released on October 21, 2025. The brief stint was another example of the practice squad movement that defines life for developmental players in the NFL.
Arizona Cardinals Era (2025-Present)
On October 30, 2025, Swinson signed with the Arizona Cardinals’ practice squad, joining his fifth NFL organization in just over a year. The Cardinals’ tight end room offered him a fresh opportunity to continue his development, and the move gave him a chance to work within a new offensive system. As of the most recent reporting, he remains a member of the Arizona Cardinals organization.
Driving Style and Strengths
At 6 feet 7 inches and roughly 260 pounds, Swinson brings the prototypical frame for a move tight end who can align as a receiver and contribute as a blocker. His college production at Arizona State, where he posted 21 receptions for 233 yards and two touchdowns, showed flashes of pass-catching ability. His combination of size and developmental upside has been the primary reason teams have continued to bring him onto practice squads.
Notable Events and Milestones
One of the most notable moments of Swinson’s professional career came on January 13, when he signed a reserve/future contract with the Green Bay Packers. That deal reflected the organization’s belief in his long-term potential, and it marked the first multi-month commitment he received from an NFL club. The contract also signaled the first sustained vote of confidence he had earned at the professional level.
Messiah Swinson Career Wins
As a practice squad tight end, Messiah Swinson has not yet recorded statistics that would qualify for traditional career win totals or major statistical milestones at the NFL level. His professional resume is defined by developmental movement between organizations rather than by game-day statistical production.
NFL Career Highlights
Swinson’s most notable professional achievement to date is his signing of a reserve/future contract with the Green Bay Packers in January. The contract represented a meaningful step forward for an undrafted player, and it gave him a path to compete for a roster spot the following summer. His continued movement between practice squads in 2025 also reflects the persistence required to sustain an NFL career as a developmental player.
Other Wins and Performances
In college, Swinson’s most productive stretch came during his two seasons at Arizona State, where he posted 21 receptions for 233 yards and two touchdowns. While those numbers do not place him among the top tight ends in program history, they demonstrated enough growth to earn him an undrafted free agent deal with the Green Bay Packers and to keep him on NFL rosters throughout 2024 and 2025.
Messiah Swinson Family
Family Background and Racing Lineage
Public information about Messiah Swinson’s immediate family is limited. He grew up on Long Island in New York and attended Long Island Lutheran in Brookville, where he developed into a three-star recruit. Beyond those basic details, verified information about his parents and siblings is not currently available.
Personal Life
Messiah Swinson’s personal life, including his marital status, is not publicly documented in available sources. He is listed at 6 feet 7 inches tall and approximately 260 pounds, a frame that has defined his role as a tight end at every level of the sport. As he continues his professional career with the Arizona Cardinals, he remains focused on earning a stable role in the NFL.
2025 Season Performance
The 2025 season has been a year of transition for Messiah Swinson. After signing a reserve/future contract with the Green Bay Packers in January, he participated in the club’s offseason program and competed for a roster spot through the summer. The release on August 26, 2025, as part of final roster cuts opened the door for him to find a new opportunity, and he quickly signed with the San Francisco 49ers’ practice squad on September 10, 2025. His time in San Francisco ended on October 21, 2025.
On October 30, 2025, Swinson signed with the Arizona Cardinals’ practice squad, joining his fifth NFL organization since going undrafted in 2024. The Cardinals’ tight end group offered him another chance to develop within a new offensive scheme, and the move placed him on a roster actively competing in the NFC West. As a practice squad player, his role has been focused on preparation, development, and being ready when called upon.
Looking ahead, Swinson’s outlook centers on continuing to refine his craft as a tight end and positioning himself for a future reserve or active roster opportunity. The combination of his frame, his production at Arizona State, and his experience within multiple NFL organizations gives him a foundation to build on. If he can stay healthy and continue to develop, the 2025 season could mark a turning point toward a more permanent NFL role.