Pat O’Donnell Bio
Patrick Michael O’Donnell (born February 22, 1991) is an American professional football punter known for his strong leg, directional control, and steady career across multiple National Football League (NFL) franchises. He played college football for the Cincinnati Bearcats and the Miami Hurricanes before being selected by the Chicago Bears in the sixth round of the 2014 NFL draft. Standing 6 feet 4 inches tall and weighing about 223 pounds, O’Donnell has built a reputation as a dependable special teams contributor through more than a decade of professional play.
Over the course of his NFL career, O’Donnell has worn the uniforms of the Chicago Bears, Green Bay Packers, Atlanta Falcons, San Francisco 49ers, and Arizona Cardinals. He earned a place on the PFWA All-Rookie Team in 2014 and has been recognized for his ability to flip field position with precise, high-average punts.
Early Life and Background
Patrick Michael O’Donnell was born on February 22, 1991, in Lake Worth Beach, Florida. He is the oldest of two children born to Terrance O’Donnell and Michele O’Donnell. His younger sister, Megan, went on to become an All-American rower and National Champion at Nova Southeastern University, while his cousin, Christopher Bordino, was a member of the Navy Midshipmen track team.
O’Donnell attended Palm Beach Central High School in Wellington, Florida, where he lettered three times in football and track for the Broncos. As a high school punter, he averaged 45.1 yards per punt and also served as his team’s kicker, posting a 95 percent touchback rate on kickoffs while making seven field goals as a senior. In addition to his kicking and punting duties, O’Donnell played linebacker and tight end, showcasing the kind of athletic versatility that would later attract NFL scouts.
Path to American Football
Coming out of high school, O’Donnell was ranked as a two-star recruit by Rivals.com and committed to the University of Cincinnati on December 29, 2008. He made his collegiate debut in 2009 as a true freshman against Southeast Missouri State, appearing in three games before suffering an injury that cost him the remainder of the season and led to a redshirt year.
O’Donnell returned healthy and became the Bearcats’ starting punter in 2010 and 2011. During the 2011 season, Cincinnati led the nation in punting average, with O’Donnell averaging 43.8 yards per punt and pacing the country with 17 punts of 50 yards or more. He also handled kickoff duties, averaging 64.2 yards per kick, and earned first-team All-Big East honors along with semi-finalist recognition for the Ray Guy Award.
In 2012, O’Donnell averaged 41.8 yards per punt and was named second-team All-Big East. Following that season, he transferred to the University of Miami to remain closer to his family, as his father was battling cancer. He graduated from Cincinnati with a degree in organizational leadership before joining the Hurricanes as a graduate student.
Pat O’Donnell Career
Early Career (2014–2017)
O’Donnell was selected by the Chicago Bears with the 191st overall pick in the sixth round of the 2014 NFL draft, the only punter taken that year and the first punter selected by the Bears since Todd Sauerbrun in 1996. He signed a four-year contract on May 13, 2014, and finished his rookie season with 71 punts for 3,107 net yards, averaging 43.8 yards per punt and earning a spot on the PFWA All-Rookie Team.
In 2015, O’Donnell punted 70 times for 3,097 yards, with 28 punts landing inside the 20-yard line and only four touchbacks. His net punting average of 39.6 yards ranked as the second-highest in team history since the statistic began being recorded in 1966. The following year, he recorded 68 punts for 2,994 net yards and a 44.0-yard average. During a 2017 Week 5 matchup against the Minnesota Vikings, he completed a 38-yard touchdown pass to Benny Cunningham on a fake punt, and later that season he served as the team’s kickoff specialist.
Chicago Bears Breakthrough (2018–2021)
O’Donnell signed a one-year contract extension with the Bears on March 15, 2018, worth $1.5 million, and signed another two-year extension on March 18, 2019. In 2019, he posted a net punting average of 40.7 yards, setting a Bears franchise record previously held by Adam Podlesh, whose 2011 mark stood at 40.4 yards.
On March 12, 2021, O’Donnell signed another one-year extension to remain in Chicago, where by the end of that offseason he held at least two Bears franchise records related to punting. His tenure with the Bears lasted from 2014 through 2021, establishing him as one of the most consistent punters in franchise history.
Green Bay Packers Era (2022–2023)
On March 18, 2022, O’Donnell signed a two-year contract with the Green Bay Packers. During a Week 3 performance against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in a narrow 14-12 victory, he was named NFC Special Teams Player of the Week after recording seven punts with a long of 63 yards and an average of 48.4 yards. Five of those punts landed inside the 20-yard line, the most by a Green Bay punter in a single game since 1976.
O’Donnell was released by the Packers on August 28, 2023.
Atlanta Falcons Era (2023)
On October 28, 2023, O’Donnell was signed to the Atlanta Falcons practice squad and elevated for the team’s Week 8 game. He was released two days later, then re-signed on December 22 before being released again on December 26.
San Francisco 49ers Era (2024)
On November 13, 2024, O’Donnell was signed to the San Francisco 49ers practice squad. Three days later, on November 16, he was promoted to the active roster, providing veteran depth at the punter position late in the season.
Green Bay Packers Second Stint (2024)
On January 20, 2024, O’Donnell returned to the Green Bay Packers on a practice squad deal. He was not signed to a reserve or future contract after the season, and he became a free agent when his practice squad contract expired.
Arizona Cardinals Era (2025)
On October 10, 2025, O’Donnell signed with the Arizona Cardinals. He was released by the Cardinals on November 18, 2025.
Driving Style and Strengths
O’Donnell is known for his ability to generate both distance and directional control, allowing him to consistently pin opponents deep inside their own territory. His track background contributes to his athletic upside, while his experience serving as a holder and kickoff specialist reflects his versatility within special teams units.
Notable Events and Milestones
Among his career highlights, O’Donnell set a Bears franchise record for net punting average in 2019, recorded a 38-yard touchdown pass on a fake punt against the Vikings in 2017, and was named NFC Special Teams Player of the Week in 2022 after an outstanding performance against the Buccaneers.
Pat O’Donnell Career Wins
As a punter, O’Donnell’s statistical milestones and weekly honors stand as the primary markers of success across his professional career. His records, league honors, and franchise benchmarks have defined his reputation since entering the NFL in 2014.
NFL Highlights
O’Donnell’s most recent verified NFL stop came with the Arizona Cardinals in 2025, following stints with the San Francisco 49ers and Atlanta Falcons. Throughout his NFL career, he has been recognized with weekly conference honors and named to the PFWA All-Rookie Team in 2014.
Other Performances
At the NFL Scouting Combine, O’Donnell recorded 23 repetitions on the bench press, a total that outperformed 19 running backs, 21 defensive linemen including top overall pick Jadeveon Clowney, and all 37 wide receivers invited to the event.
Pat O’Donnell Family
Family Background and Racing Lineage
O’Donnell comes from an athletic family. His sister, Megan O’Donnell, was an All-American rower and National Champion at Nova Southeastern University, and his cousin, Christopher Bordino, competed for the Navy Midshipmen track team. His parents, Terrance O’Donnell and Michele O’Donnell, raised the family in the Palm Beach County area of Florida.
Personal Life
In February 2019, O’Donnell became engaged to Shelby Etter, and the couple married in Miami in March 2020.
2025 Season Performance
O’Donnell began the 2025 season as a free agent following his time with the San Francisco 49ers in 2024. On October 10, 2025, he signed with the Arizona Cardinals, returning to an active NFL roster for another stint as an experienced punter.
His time with the Cardinals was short-lived, as the team released him on November 18, 2025. The brief tenure nonetheless reflected the continued demand across the league for veteran specialists capable of stepping into an active role midseason.
Looking ahead, O’Donnell’s track record of being signed by multiple organizations within a single calendar year suggests he remains a viable option for teams seeking punting depth heading into the latter portion of the 2025 season and beyond.