Tyler Matakevich Bio
Tyler John Matakevich (born December 22, 1992) is an American professional football linebacker who has built a long NFL career through special teams play and steady defensive work. He played college football for the Temple Owls, where he earned national defensive honors as a senior in 2015. Selected by the Pittsburgh Steelers in the seventh round of the 2016 NFL draft, Matakevich has spent time with both the Steelers and the Buffalo Bills across his professional career. Known for his tackling consistency and leadership, he has served as a team captain in Buffalo and returned to Pittsburgh in 2024.
Early Life and Background
Tyler John Matakevich was born on December 22, 1992, in Stratford, Connecticut, and grew up in the region. He attended St. Joseph High School in Trumbull, Connecticut, where he developed into a two-way contributor on the football team. He lined up at both linebacker and running back and also played baseball during his high school years. His senior season was interrupted when he broke his foot in a pre-season scrimmage, causing him to miss five games before graduation.
Across his high school career, Matakevich produced impressive totals, finishing with 2,357 rushing yards, 1,355 receiving yards, and 3,898 all-purpose yards on offense. On defense, he recorded 371 tackles, 4.5 sacks, three forced fumbles, six fumble recoveries, and eight interceptions, scoring 59 total touchdowns overall. To strengthen his recruitment profile after his injury, he attended Milford Academy for a year of prep competition. After that year, Matakevich committed to Temple University to continue his football career at the college level.
Path to American Football
Matakevich arrived at Temple University in 2012 and quickly carved out a role on the Owls defense. As a freshman, he played in all 13 games, made his first start in Week 5 against USF, and became the first freshman in school history to record 100 tackles, finishing with 101. That debut season earned him Freshman All-American recognition, Big East Rookie of the Year honors, and a spot on the Second-team All-Big East.
As a sophomore, Matakevich posted 137 tackles, one sack, and one interception, and as a junior, he added 117 tackles, 1.5 sacks, and another interception. By his senior year, he had become the seventh player in FBS history to record at least 100 tackles in all four collegiate seasons. He led the Owls to the inaugural American Athletic Conference (AAC) Championship and was named AAC Defensive Player of the Year, First-team All-AAC, and Temple’s third consensus All-American. His senior campaign also brought national recognition, as he won both the Bronko Nagurski Trophy and the Chuck Bednarik Award, marking firsts for Temple football.
Tyler Matakevich Career
Early Career (2016–2017)
The Pittsburgh Steelers selected Matakevich in the seventh round, 246th overall, of the 2016 NFL draft, noting that he was the highest-rated player remaining on their draft board. On May 5, 2016, he signed a four-year rookie contract worth $2.40 million, including a signing bonus of $63,502. He entered training camp competing against veterans Steven Johnson, L. J. Fort, and Travis Feeney for a roster spot and impressed the coaching staff with consistent preseason play. Head coach Mike Tomlin named him the backup inside linebacker behind Ryan Shazier to open the regular season.
Matakevich made his professional debut in the Steelers’ 38–16 season-opening win over the Washington Redskins, and he recorded his first career tackle the following week in a 24–16 win over the Cincinnati Bengals. He posted a season-high nine combined tackles in a 30–15 loss to the Miami Dolphins and finished his rookie year with 20 combined tackles across 16 games. Pittsburgh went 11–5 to win the AFC North, and Matakevich played his first career playoff game on January 8, 2017, helping the Steelers defeat the Miami Dolphins 30–12 in the AFC Wildcard round. In 2017, he recorded 23 combined tackles, a pass deflection, and a notable blocked punt against the Cleveland Browns that produced a Steelers touchdown in the season opener.
Buffalo Bills Era (2020–2023)
On March 30, 2020, Matakevich signed a two-year contract with the Buffalo Bills. He established himself as a core special teams contributor in Buffalo and was named a team captain for three of his four seasons with the club. On March 16, 2021, he signed a one-year extension through the 2022 season, and on March 13, 2023, he signed another one-year extension through the 2023 season. Across his four years in Buffalo, he played almost exclusively on special teams, providing reliable tackling and coverage in the kicking game.
Pittsburgh Steelers Era (2024–Present)
On July 17, 2024, Matakevich signed a one-year contract to return to the Pittsburgh Steelers, the organization that had originally drafted him. His return brought him back to the defensive system where he had begun his professional career and reunited him with the franchise’s linebacker room. He is currently listed as a member of the Steelers heading into 2025.
Driving Style and Strengths
Matakevich is best known for his tackling, instincts, and durability, traits that have translated most clearly to special teams. Coaches have valued his preparation, communication, and ability to cover kicks and punts at a high level, which is why Buffalo made him a captain for three seasons. While he has not been a full-time defensive starter at the NFL level, his discipline and football IQ have allowed him to remain a trusted reserve linebacker and core special-teams player across multiple teams.
Notable Events and Milestones
Among his career highlights, Matakevich’s blocked punt in the 2017 season opener against Cleveland produced the Steelers’ first touchdown of that season. He became the first Temple freshman to record 100 tackles and the seventh FBS player to reach 100 tackles in four straight seasons, while also setting Temple’s career-tackles record with 493 during the 2015 Boca Raton Bowl. He was the first Temple player to win both the Bronko Nagurski Trophy and the Chuck Bednarik Award in the same year.
Tyler Matakevich Career Wins
Detailed NFL win totals, statistical leaders, and ranking tables cannot be presented here without verified season-by-season data, so this section summarizes his most widely reported achievements at the college and professional levels. Matakevich earned two of the top individual awards in college football in 2015, led Temple to the first AAC Championship, and contributed to winning seasons in Pittsburgh and Buffalo.
College Highlights
Matakevich was a consensus All-American in 2015, the AAC Defensive Player of the Year, and a First-team All-AAC selection. He was also a Freshman All-American, the Big East Rookie of the Year, and a Second-team All-Big East pick in 2012, capping a decorated four-year run at Temple.
Other Performances
Beyond his defensive production, Matakevich scored touchdowns on special teams in the NFL, including a recovered blocked punt against the Browns in 2017. He served as a team captain for three seasons in Buffalo, reflecting his leadership value to the Bills’ special teams units.
Tyler Matakevich Family
Family Background and Racing Lineage
Public, verified details about Matakevich’s parents and extended family are not available in the reviewed sources, so specific names and roles are not provided here. His early development as a football player centered on his high school program at St. Joseph and his prep year at Milford Academy before he enrolled at Temple University.
Personal Life
Verified public information about Matakevich’s spouse, children, and personal relationships is not available in the reviewed sources. He remains identified publicly as an American professional football linebacker who grew up in Connecticut and has spent his NFL career with the Pittsburgh Steelers and the Buffalo Bills.
2025 Season Performance
Heading into 2025, Matakevich is back with the Pittsburgh Steelers after signing a one-year contract on July 17, 2024. His role is expected to mirror his recent work in Buffalo, focusing primarily on special teams while providing experienced depth at inside linebacker. The Steelers’ linebacker room and special teams schemes will shape how he is deployed throughout the year.
With a 2024 contract listed through 2025, his immediate future is tied to his standing on the Steelers roster and his performance during training camp. As a returning veteran to the franchise, he offers continuity in the kicking game and veteran presence in meeting rooms. His 2025 outlook centers on retaining a roster spot and continuing to deliver the reliable special teams play that has defined his NFL career.