Nick Vigil Bio
Nick Vigil (born August 20, 1993) is an American professional football linebacker in the National Football League (NFL). He played college football for the Utah State Aggies and was selected by the Cincinnati Bengals in the third round of the 2016 NFL draft. Across his career, he has suited up for the Cincinnati Bengals, Los Angeles Chargers, Minnesota Vikings, Arizona Cardinals, New York Jets, and the Dallas Cowboys.
Standing 6 feet 2 inches tall and weighing 238 pounds, Vigil has carved out a long career as a versatile, hard-working defender. He is the younger brother of former NFL linebacker Zach Vigil, the only known family member to have played professional football. He attended Fremont High School in Plain City, Utah, before launching a college career that led directly to the professional ranks.
Early Life and Background
Nick Vigil was born on August 20, 1993, in Plain City, Utah, a small community in the northern part of the state. He grew up in a family with a strong athletic background, and his older brother Zach Vigil would go on to play linebacker in the NFL, helping set the stage for Nick’s path. The two brothers shared an early interest in football, and that influence helped shape Nick’s understanding of the linebacker position from a young age.
Vigil attended Fremont High School in Plain City, where he played both football and basketball. As a multi-sport athlete, he developed the physical toughness and competitive edge that would later define his professional career. Following high school, Vigil committed to play college football at Utah State University, choosing to stay close to home and continue his development in the Mountain West Conference.
Path to American Football
At Utah State, Vigil quickly worked his way into a meaningful role on the defense. As a redshirt freshman in 2013, he started four of 14 games and finished the season with 57 tackles and a team-leading 5.5 sacks. That early production hinted at his ability to impact games behind the line of scrimmage, and it laid the foundation for the larger role he would assume in the seasons to follow.
During his sophomore year, Vigil started all 13 games and posted a team-leading 6 forced fumbles, 123 tackles, 16.5 tackles for loss, and 7 sacks. His junior season in 2015 was his most productive, as he started all 13 games and racked up 144 tackles, a total that ranked sixth in the nation. After that junior campaign, he announced his decision to enter the 2016 NFL draft, where his testing numbers and college production drew interest from multiple teams.
Nick Vigil Career
Early Career (2016–2017)
The Cincinnati Bengals selected Vigil in the third round, 87th overall, of the 2016 NFL draft, making him the 11th linebacker taken that year. He signed a four-year, $3.11 million contract that included a signing bonus of $695,629. As a rookie, Vigil competed for a backup role and earned praise during training camp, drawing comparisons to Carolina Panthers Pro Bowl linebacker Luke Kuechly. He opened the year as the backup weakside linebacker behind Vincent Rey and appeared in all 16 games without a start, finishing with 21 combined tackles and one pass deflection.
In 2017, Vigil entered training camp in a position battle for the starting strongside linebacker job and was named the starter to open the regular season. He lined up alongside Vontaze Burfict and Kevin Minter, and he made his first career start against the Baltimore Ravens, recording 10 combined tackles, a pass breakup, and his first career interception off quarterback Joe Flacco. He later recorded his first career sack against the Cleveland Browns before an ankle injury sent him to injured reserve, ending his season with 79 combined tackles, five pass deflections, one interception, and one sack in 11 starts.
Cincinnati Bengals Breakthrough (2018–2019)
Vigil returned as the starting strongside linebacker in 2018, where he opened the year with a season-high 11 solo tackles in a win at the Indianapolis Colts. He continued to start throughout the season and posted a season-high 12 combined tackles in a loss at the Carolina Panthers, though a knee injury forced him to miss two games late in the year. His steady play helped the Bengals defense maintain a consistent presence at the second level during a transitional period for the unit.
By 2019, Vigil had become a leader on the Bengals defense, ranking among the team’s top tacklers on a weekly basis. He recorded 11 tackles and a forced fumble against the Pittsburgh Steelers, 13 tackles against the Arizona Cardinals, 13 tackles and a fumble recovery against the Baltimore Ravens, and 12 tackles with another fumble recovery against the Oakland Raiders. He also picked off his first pass of the season off Baker Mayfield in a loss to the Cleveland Browns, finishing the year as a tone-setter for a young Bengals defense.
Los Angeles Chargers Era (2020)
On March 30, 2020, Vigil signed a one-year contract with the Los Angeles Chargers, beginning a stretch of one-year deals that defined the next chapter of his career. He made his Chargers debut in Week 1 against his former Cincinnati team, recording 5 tackles and a fumble recovery in a 16–13 win over the Bengals. His experience against the run made him a steady contributor in the Chargers’ linebacker rotation from the opening week.
His best game of the 2020 season came in Week 15 against the Las Vegas Raiders on Thursday Night Football, when he led the team with 9 tackles and recorded his first sack as a Charger, bringing down Derek Carr in a 30–27 overtime win. The performance highlighted his ability to deliver in high-leverage moments, even as he navigated a new defensive scheme and a one-year contract.
Minnesota Vikings Era (2021–2023)
After becoming a free agent, Vigil signed a one-year contract worth up to $2.25 million with the Minnesota Vikings on April 6, 2021. He played in 16 games with 12 starts and finished fourth on the team with 85 tackles, serving as a reliable two-down presence in the Vikings’ defense. That production helped him land a one-year deal with the Arizona Cardinals in 2022, where he was placed on injured reserve on October 8.
Vigil returned to the Vikings for a second stint in 2023, first signing with the practice squad on August 31, moving to the active roster on November 11, and being released on December 23 before re-signing with the practice squad on December 29. He also had a brief stop with the New York Jets in 2023, signing on August 6 before being released on August 28. Through both Minnesota stints, he served primarily as a depth linebacker and special teams contributor.
Dallas Cowboys Era (2024–Present)
On August 6, 2024, Vigil signed with the Dallas Cowboys, was released during roster cuts on August 27, and re-signed with the team the next day. He was promoted to the active roster on October 5, joining a linebacker room that valued his experience and tackling reliability. The move to Dallas marked his seventh NFL stop and gave him an opportunity to contribute on defense and special teams under a new coaching staff.
Notable Events and Milestones
One of the defining moments of Vigil’s career came in his first start for the Bengals in 2017, when he intercepted a pass from Joe Flacco that had originally been a screen attempt to running back Terrance West. He also recorded his first career sack against quarterback DeShone Kizer of the Cleveland Browns, and he later led a Chargers defense in tackles during an overtime win over the Las Vegas Raiders in 2020. Across his career, he has appeared in more than 100 NFL games, a testament to his durability and longevity at the linebacker position.
Nick Vigil Career Wins
While individual game statistics dominate Vigil’s resume, his career has been marked by several team victories in which he played meaningful snaps. He was part of Cincinnati Bengals wins against the New York Jets, Baltimore Ravens, Indianapolis Colts, and Cleveland Browns during his time as a starter. With the Los Angeles Chargers, he contributed to a win over the Cincinnati Bengals and a 30–27 overtime victory against the Las Vegas Raiders. Each of those wins underscored his role as a reliable, team-first defender across multiple stops.
Other Wins & Performances
Beyond his team victories, Vigil has delivered several standout individual performances, including multiple double-digit tackle games for the Bengals in 2018 and 2019, an 85-tackle season with the Minnesota Vikings in 2021, and a forced fumble against Diontae Johnson of the Pittsburgh Steelers. He was also named First-team All-Mountain West Conference in both 2014 and 2015 at Utah State, an award that highlighted his pre-professional success.
Nick Vigil Family
Family Background and Racing Lineage
Vigil comes from a family with athletic roots, and his older brother, Zach Vigil, played linebacker in the NFL after a standout career at Utah State. The two brothers both played for the Utah State Aggies before turning professional, and Zach’s path into the league helped shape Nick’s understanding of the demands required to play linebacker at a high level. The Vigil brothers remain one of the more notable sibling pairs in recent Utah State football history.
Personal Life
Nick Vigil was born and raised in Plain City, Utah, and continues to be closely associated with his home state. Beyond football, he has kept much of his personal life private, and no verified public information is available regarding a spouse or children. His older brother Zach remains the most publicly documented member of his immediate family.
2025 Season Performance
Entering 2025, Nick Vigil is expected to remain with the Dallas Cowboys, where he finished 2024 on the active roster after being promoted on October 5. His role on the team is likely to center on depth at linebacker and a steady presence on special teams, areas where his experience and tackling have consistently shown value. With a young defensive core in Dallas, his veteran perspective could be a key asset throughout the season.
Throughout 2024, Vigil’s snap counts were modest, but his ability to step into larger roles when called upon has been a hallmark of his career. If he remains healthy, he is likely to see action in spot defensive duty and core special teams phases, with the potential to grow his role as the season progresses. His familiarity with multiple defensive schemes across his career makes him a flexible piece for the Cowboys’ coaching staff.
Looking ahead, the 2025 season presents an opportunity for Vigil to extend a long and resilient NFL career while competing for a more permanent role on the Dallas defense. Whether as a rotational linebacker or a special teams leader, his track record suggests he will continue to bring a steady, professional approach to the field.