Michael Dunn Bio
Michael Dunn (born August 28, 1994) is an American professional football guard. He played college football for the Maryland Terrapins before launching a long professional journey that included time in several NFL cities and a brief stint in the XFL. He made his NFL debut in 2020 with the Cleveland Browns.
Across his career, Michael Dunn has spent time with the Los Angeles Rams, Jacksonville Jaguars, Birmingham Iron, Miami Dolphins, Seattle Dragons, Cleveland Browns, San Francisco 49ers, and Los Angeles Chargers. He is best known for his years of service as a reliable depth piece and starting guard in Cleveland, where he made his first career playoff start in January 2021.
Early Life and Background
Michael Dunn was born and grew up in Bethesda, Maryland. He is Jewish and was raised in a close-knit family by his parents, David Dunn and Tamara Dunn, alongside his two siblings, Renee and Eitan. The Bethesda community shaped his early years and provided a steady foundation for his development as an athlete.
He attended Walt Whitman High School in Bethesda, where he competed for the school’s football team. Dunn played both offensive tackle and guard during his high school years, showing the positional versatility that would later define his professional profile. As a senior, he earned second-team all-county recognition, an early signal of his football potential.
Michael Dunn went on to attend the University of Maryland, graduating in 2016 with a degree in Economics. While in college, he played for the Maryland Terrapins from 2013 to 2016, starting 48 games including 37 consecutive contests. Following his senior season, he underwent labrum surgery, which kept him out of Maryland’s Pro Day and affected his path to the next level.
Path to American Football
Michael Dunn’s road to professional football began with a strong college career at Maryland, where he developed into one of the most durable offensive linemen in the Big Ten. He earned two-time Honorable Mention All-Big Ten honors in 2015 and 2016, and he was a three-time All-Big Ten Academic Selection in 2014, 2015, and 2016. His combination of toughness, intelligence, and consistency drew attention from NFL scouts despite the injury setback at the end of his senior year.
Going undrafted in the 2017 NFL draft, Dunn had to prove himself through minicamp tryouts and practice-squad opportunities. His versatility as both a tackle and a guard made him an attractive project for teams looking to add offensive line depth. That pathway eventually opened the door to his NFL debut in 2020 with the Cleveland Browns.
Michael Dunn Career
Early Career (2017–2019)
After going undrafted, Michael Dunn had a rookie minicamp tryout with the Los Angeles Rams in May 2017 and signed with the team on June 15, 2017. He was waived during final roster cuts on September 2, 2017, and spent time on the Rams’ practice squad before being released. He re-signed with the Rams on February 22, 2018, but was waived again on June 5, 2018.
Dunn signed with the Jacksonville Jaguars on July 31, 2018, and again bounced between the active roster and the practice squad before being released on October 16, 2018. He then signed with the Birmingham Iron of the Alliance of American Football (AAF) on January 15, 2019. After the AAF suspended operations, Dunn joined the Miami Dolphins on April 9, 2019, only to be waived during final cuts on August 31, 2019.
Cleveland Browns Breakthrough (2020–2024)
Michael Dunn signed with the Cleveland Browns on August 9, 2020, and made his NFL debut that season after being elevated from the practice squad for multiple games. He appeared in contests against the Houston Texans, Philadelphia Eagles, Jacksonville Jaguars, and New York Giants before being signed to the active roster on December 23, 2020. His biggest break came on January 10, 2021, when he made his first career start at left guard in the Browns’ 48-37 playoff victory against the Pittsburgh Steelers, stepping in for Joel Bitonio and not allowing a single pressure in pass protection.
Dunn was named to the Browns’ 53-man opening day roster on August 31, 2021, cementing his role on the team. He received an exclusive-rights free agent tender on March 7, 2022, and remained a part of Cleveland’s offensive line picture despite an injured reserve stint in November 2022. In 2023, he was released and re-signed to the practice squad on August 29 before being promoted to the active roster on September 12, and he finished the year after a brief injured reserve placement for a calf injury.
In 2024, Dunn re-signed with the Browns on March 14 and began the season on the reserve/non-football illness list before being activated on October 5, 2024. Across his Browns tenure, he proved himself as a dependable depth player and a capable starter when called upon in high-leverage moments, including the postseason.
Recent Moves (2025)
Michael Dunn was released by the Cleveland Browns and, on August 20, 2025, signed a one-year contract with the San Francisco 49ers. He was released on August 26, 2025, as part of final roster cuts. Shortly afterward, on September 30, 2025, he signed with the Los Angeles Chargers’ practice squad before being released on October 7, 2025. He continues to pursue opportunities across the league as a veteran interior lineman.
Driving Style and Strengths
Michael Dunn is recognized for his positional versatility, having played both offensive tackle and guard at the high school, college, and professional levels. He is valued for his football intelligence, durability, and ability to step into starting roles without allowing pressure, as demonstrated in his playoff debut. His academic background and pro-level preparation have helped him maintain a long career in a physically demanding position.
Notable Events and Milestones
Michael Dunn’s most memorable career moment came on January 10, 2021, when he started at left guard in the Cleveland Browns’ 48-37 AFC Wild Card victory over the Pittsburgh Steelers. His clean pass-protection performance in that playoff debut stands as a defining milestone of his professional career.
Michael Dunn Career Wins
Michael Dunn has accumulated professional experience across multiple leagues rather than a tally of personal statistical wins. His most celebrated team result came in the form of the Cleveland Browns’ 48-37 playoff victory over the Pittsburgh Steelers in January 2021, a game in which he made his first career start.
NFL and Spring League Highlights
Dunn’s professional stops include the Los Angeles Rams, Jacksonville Jaguars, Miami Dolphins, Cleveland Browns, San Francisco 49ers, and Los Angeles Chargers in the NFL, along with the Birmingham Iron of the AAF and the Seattle Dragons of the XFL. His signature highlight remains his starting role in the Browns’ 2020 playoff win, a moment that validated years of grind work on practice squads and short-term contracts.
Other Wins and Performances
In college, Michael Dunn started 48 games for the Maryland Terrapins and was a two-time Honorable Mention All-Big Ten selection. His combination of on-field performance and academic recognition highlighted a steady, durable career that has translated into long-term professional opportunity.
Michael Dunn Family
Family Background and Racing Lineage
Michael Dunn was raised in Bethesda, Maryland, by his parents, David Dunn and Tamara Dunn, alongside his siblings Renee and Eitan. His family provided a supportive environment that helped him develop into a dedicated athlete and a high-achieving student, ultimately allowing him to graduate from the University of Maryland with a degree in Economics.
Personal Life
Michael Dunn married Marissa Morris, a podcast producer for The Athletic whom he began dating in 2016, in February 2022. The couple welcomed a daughter in 2023, and the family continues to be a central part of Dunn’s life as he pursues his professional football career.
2025 Season Performance
Michael Dunn’s 2025 season has been defined by movement between rosters. After leaving the Cleveland Browns, he signed a one-year contract with the San Francisco 49ers on August 20, 2025, only to be released during final roster cuts on August 26, 2025. He quickly found a new opportunity when the Los Angeles Chargers added him to their practice squad on September 30, 2025, though he was released on October 7, 2025.
Despite the quick turnover, Dunn’s veteran experience and positional flexibility kept him in demand across the league. His ability to contribute at both guard and tackle gives teams a reliable option to add interior offensive line depth late in the season.
As 2025 continues, Michael Dunn remains focused on securing a roster spot and contributing to an NFL offensive line. His track record of stepping into starting roles and performing in high-pressure moments positions him as a valuable pickup for teams in need of experienced trench help.