Nick Mullens Bio
Nicholas Clayton Mullens, known professionally as Nick Mullens, is an American professional football quarterback for the Jacksonville Jaguars of the National Football League (NFL). Born on March 21, 1995, in Little Rock, Arkansas, Mullens built his football career from humble beginnings as an undrafted free agent into a respected NFL backup and occasional starter. He played college football for the Southern Miss Golden Eagles, where he surpassed Brett Favre’s single-season school records for passing yardage and touchdown passes.
Across his NFL journey, Mullens has been a member of the San Francisco 49ers, Philadelphia Eagles, Cleveland Browns, Las Vegas Raiders, and Minnesota Vikings before joining the Jacksonville Jaguars. Standing 185 cm tall and weighing 95 kg, he is recognized for his strong arm and preparation behind some of the league’s most respected quarterback rooms.
Early Life and Background
Nicholas Clayton Mullens was born on March 21, 1995, in Little Rock, Arkansas, to parents Mark and Suzanne Mullens. The family later relocated to Hoover, Alabama, a suburb of Birmingham, where Mullens spent much of his childhood and youth. He comes from an athletic family. His maternal grandfather, Ernie Tabor, pitched in the Philadelphia Phillies minor league system during the 1950s, and his uncle, Scott Tabor, pitched for the Arkansas Razorbacks baseball team and still holds the school record for most career wins.
Mullens attended Spain Park High School in Hoover, Alabama, where he emerged as the team’s starting quarterback. As a senior in 2012, he threw for 3,649 yards and 40 touchdowns against only seven interceptions, earning the 2012 Gatorade Player of the Year award for the state of Alabama. By the end of his high school career, he had totaled 8,605 passing yards, the seventh most in Alabama High School Athletic Association history at the time.
Although he had originally verbally committed to attend the University of Alabama at Birmingham, Mullens changed course on national signing day following a last-minute visit to the University of Southern Mississippi. He signed with the Southern Miss Golden Eagles and went on to redefine the program’s passing records during his four seasons there.
Path to Professional Football
Mullens stepped into college football as a true freshman during the 2013 season, taking over a Southern Miss team mired in an 18-game losing streak. In his second collegiate game, a loss to Marshall, he became the first true freshman starting quarterback in school history to pass for more than 300 yards in a single game, a milestone never reached by Brett Favre during his freshman year. He passed for 1,776 yards as a freshman and continued to develop his game in subsequent seasons.
As a sophomore in 2014, Mullens started 10 games and completed 218 of 365 attempts for 2,470 yards, 12 touchdowns, and nine interceptions. His breakout came in the 2015 regular season, when he completed 331 of 521 passes for 4,476 yards and 38 touchdowns, both school records, ranking sixth among Football Bowl Subdivision quarterbacks in passing yardage. His efforts helped Southern Miss post a 9-5 record just two years after ending a 23-game losing streak, and he earned Conference USA Offensive Player of the Year and second-team All-C-USA honors.
In 2016, Mullens made 11 starts and completed 243 of 384 attempts for 3,272 yards and 24 touchdowns. He set a collegiate career high with 591 passing yards against the Rice Owls on October 1, 2016. Across four seasons at Southern Miss, he played in 44 games with 41 starts and finished as the career leader in every major passing category, tallying 11,994 yards and 87 touchdown passes, totals that surpassed Favre’s four-year marks at the school. After going undrafted in 2017, Mullens signed with the San Francisco 49ers as a free agent on May 4, 2017.
Nick Mullens Career
San Francisco 49ers (2017-2020)
Mullens spent his entire 2017 rookie season on the 49ers’ practice squad after being waived as part of final roster cuts. He signed a reserve/futures contract in January 2018 and was promoted to the active roster in September 2018 after Jimmy Garoppolo tore his ACL. On November 1, 2018, Mullens made his NFL debut and first start against the Oakland Raiders on Thursday Night Football, completing 16 of 22 passes for 262 yards and three touchdowns in a 34-3 victory. His passer rating of 151.9 was the highest since 1970 for a quarterback with at least 20 attempts in a debut, and he became the first player in 49ers history to throw three touchdowns in his first game.
During the 2018 season, Mullens started eight games and finished with 2,277 passing yards, 13 touchdowns, and 10 interceptions. His standout performance came in Week 13 against the Seattle Seahawks, when he posted a career-high 414 passing yards. In 2019, he served primarily as Garoppolo’s backup and appeared in only one game as the 49ers reached Super Bowl LIV, where they lost to the Kansas City Chiefs.
Mullens returned as a starter in 2020 after Garoppolo suffered injuries, posting 343 passing yards and one touchdown in a 36-9 victory over the New York Giants. He finished the year with a Week 15 elbow injury against the Dallas Cowboys that sent him to injured reserve and ended his 49ers tenure.
Philadelphia Eagles and Cleveland Browns (2021)
On June 14, 2021, Mullens signed a one-year contract with the Philadelphia Eagles but was waived on August 28. He was signed to the Cleveland Browns’ practice squad on September 1, 2021, and elevated to the active roster in October. His most memorable Browns moment came in Week 15 against the Las Vegas Raiders, when he was named the starter after a team COVID-19 outbreak. Mullens threw a fourth-quarter touchdown pass to give Cleveland the lead, but the Raiders answered with a late field goal to win 16-14. He completed 20 of 30 passes for 147 yards and a touchdown in the loss.
Las Vegas Raiders and Minnesota Vikings (2022-2024)
Mullens signed with the Las Vegas Raiders on April 4, 2022, and was traded to the Minnesota Vikings on August 22, 2022, for a 2024 conditional seventh-round pick. With the Vikings, he appeared in relief of Kirk Cousins in Week 17 against the Green Bay Packers. On March 14, 2023, Mullens signed a two-year contract extension and later started games against the Cincinnati Bengals and Detroit Lions, throwing for 411 yards, two touchdowns, and four interceptions in a 30-24 loss to the Lions.
In 2024, Mullens opened the season as the third-string quarterback behind J.J. McCarthy and Sam Darnold. After McCarthy suffered a season-ending preseason injury, Mullens moved into the primary backup role. With Darnold starting all 17 games, Mullens completed both of his pass attempts in four appearances.
Jacksonville Jaguars (2025-Present)
On March 12, 2025, Mullens signed with the Jacksonville Jaguars, joining the franchise as a veteran backup presence in the quarterback room. His experience and familiarity with multiple offensive systems have positioned him as a reliable depth option behind the team’s starter heading into the 2025 NFL season.
Driving Style and Strengths
Nick Mullens is recognized for a strong arm and quick decision-making developed across multiple NFL offenses. He has demonstrated accuracy in the short and intermediate passing game and has shown poise when stepping into starting roles on short notice. His preparation and comfort within pro-style systems have allowed him to deliver consistent performances as a backup throughout his career.
Notable Events and Milestones
Mullens’ most memorable NFL moment came in his 2018 debut against the Oakland Raiders, when he set a post-1970 record for the highest passer rating by a quarterback with at least 20 attempts in a first game. He also became the first 49ers player to throw three touchdowns in his debut, a performance that announced his arrival in the league.
Nick Mullens Career Wins
Across his NFL career, Nick Mullens has recorded multiple wins as both a starter and a contributor in relief. His first career victory came in his 2018 debut against the Oakland Raiders, a 34-3 win that established him as a promising young talent. He added further victories with the 49ers, including a 26-23 overtime win over the Seattle Seahawks that ended a long drought for San Francisco, and a 36-9 road victory over the New York Giants in 2020.
San Francisco 49ers Highlights
During his 49ers tenure, Mullens appeared in eight starts in 2018, securing several wins highlighted by his debut performance against Oakland and his overtime victory over Seattle. His 2019 and 2020 campaigns included additional wins as both a starter and a relief option, with his 2020 game against the Giants standing out as one of his strongest statistical performances of 343 passing yards and a touchdown.
Other Wins and Performances
With the Minnesota Vikings in 2023, Mullens led a fourth-quarter comeback drive against the Raiders that resulted in a 3-0 victory, showcasing his ability to manage a game-winning series in relief. His consistent presence across multiple organizations reflects a career built on reliability, preparation, and timely production when called upon.
Nick Mullens Family
Family Background and Athletic Lineage
Nick Mullens was raised by his parents, Mark and Suzanne Mullens, in Hoover, Alabama. His family carries a strong athletic tradition. His maternal grandfather, Ernie Tabor, pitched in the Philadelphia Phillies minor league system in the 1950s, while his uncle, Scott Tabor, pitched for the Arkansas Razorbacks baseball team and set the school’s career wins record before playing professionally in the minor leagues.
Personal Life
Mullens is married to his wife, Haleigh Mullens. On August 30, 2019, the couple welcomed their first child, a son. Family has remained an important anchor throughout his career as he has moved between NFL teams since 2017.
2025 Season Performance
Nick Mullens entered the 2025 NFL season as a member of the Jacksonville Jaguars after signing with the team on March 12, 2025. Joining a new offensive system, he brought veteran experience and a track record of stepping into starting roles on short notice. His familiarity with pro-style schemes has positioned him as a steady depth presence in the Jaguars’ quarterback room.
Throughout the 2025 season, Mullens has served primarily as a backup option, providing support and preparation for the team’s starting quarterback. His history of efficient relief appearances, including a game-winning drive with the Vikings in 2023, underscores the value he brings as a reliable second option.
With Jacksonville’s season underway, Mullens continues to emphasize preparation, leadership, and readiness. His continued presence on an NFL roster in 2025 reflects both his durability and the trust that franchises place in his professionalism and on-field composure.