Tyree Jackson Bio
Tyree Romello Jackson (born November 7, 1997) is an American professional football tight end for the Washington Commanders of the National Football League (NFL). Standing 6 feet 7 inches tall and weighing around 250 pounds, he transitions to a blocking and receiving role after beginning his career as a quarterback. Since entering the league in 2019 as an undrafted free agent, Jackson has spent time with the Buffalo Bills, the DC Defenders of the XFL, the Philadelphia Eagles, the New York Giants, and now the Commanders.
Early Life and Background
Tyree Romello Jackson was born on November 7, 1997, in Norton Shores, Michigan. He grew up in the western Michigan community and attended Mona Shores High School, where he quickly emerged as a promising football talent. Jackson started at quarterback for the Sailors in each of his four varsity seasons, giving him a rare level of experience and leadership before his college years.
During his high school career, Jackson passed for 4,491 yards and 50 touchdowns while accumulating 8,149 yards of total offense. He finished his prep career with a 24–18 record as a starting quarterback, a mark that reflected both his durability and his responsibility for the team’s weekly results. His size and arm strength drew attention from several college programs, including Central Michigan, Eastern Michigan, Western Michigan, and UConn.
Jackson eventually chose to continue his football career at the University at Buffalo. That decision sent him to the Mid-American Conference and set the stage for his development into one of the conference’s most productive passers.
Path to American Football
Jackson committed to the University at Buffalo after weighing offers from a number of regional programs. The move placed him on a college track in a spread-style offense that showcased his strong arm and mobility. He arrived on campus in 2015, redshirted his first year, and used that season to learn the Bulls’ system while adjusting to the speed of the college game.
In 2016, Jackson played in 10 games and made nine starts, completing 165 of 311 passes for 1,772 yards, nine touchdowns, and nine interceptions. The following year, he started eight games before an injury limited his appearances, yet he still passed for 2,096 yards and 12 touchdowns against only three interceptions. Those seasons established him as a clear leader within the Buffalo program.
By 2018, Jackson had become one of the most productive quarterbacks in the Mid-American Conference. He was named MAC Offensive Player of the Year and earned first-team All-MAC recognition after leading the Bulls to a 10–4 record, an MAC East division title, and a Dollar General Bowl appearance. On January 6, 2019, he announced that he would forgo his senior season to pursue an NFL opportunity, and he later earned an invitation to the 2019 Senior Bowl, where he played for the South team and was named the squad’s Most Valuable Player.
Tyree Jackson Career
Early Career (2019)
Following the 2019 NFL Draft, Tyree Romello Jackson signed with the Buffalo Bills as an undrafted free agent on April 27, 2019. He received an opportunity to compete for a backup role and made the most of his limited preseason snaps. In the fourth game of the preseason, Jackson started at quarterback and led a comeback that erased a 23–6 deficit in the final minutes, a performance that turned heads across the Bills’ quarterback room.
Despite that effort, Jackson was waived during the Bills’ final roster cuts on August 31, 2019. The release ended his initial NFL chapter but opened the door to a different path. In October 2019, the DC Defenders selected him in the ninth round of the 2020 XFL Draft, where he would reunite with a professional passing offense.
Buffalo Bills Breakthrough (2019)
Jackson’s breakthrough moment with the Buffalo Bills came in the closing stages of the 2019 preseason. Starting the fourth exhibition game, he directed a frantic fourth-quarter rally that turned a 23–6 hole into a Bills lead. The performance showed poise, arm strength, and the kind of late-game command that teams look for in developmental quarterbacks.
That showing was not enough to secure a roster spot, and the Bills released him at the end of camp. Even so, the comeback gave Jackson valuable tape and confidence heading into the next phase of his professional journey.
XFL and Position Switch (2020–2021)
Jackson joined the DC Defenders for the XFL’s 2020 season, serving as a backup to starter Cardale Jones. Over the first two games, he recorded a single rush for five yards, but he was given more responsibility in the following weeks. In week 5, he entered in relief of Jones and helped spark a Defenders victory, completing 9 of 14 passes for 39 yards and a touchdown to tight end Khari Lee. Jackson finished the shortened five-game XFL campaign with 11 completions on 18 attempts for 46 yards and a touchdown, along with nine rushes for 28 yards, before the league suspended operations on April 10, 2020, due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
On January 7, 2021, the Philadelphia Eagles signed Jackson to a reserve or futures contract and began transitioning him from quarterback to tight end. He was having a promising training camp before suffering a fractured bone in his back on August 17, 2021, and was placed on injured reserve on September 2. Once activated in November, he made his NFL debut on November 7, appearing in 14 offensive snaps and four special-teams plays. He was first targeted on November 21, and two weeks later he started a game for the first time. On January 8, 2022, he caught the first pass of his NFL career, a three-yard shovel from Gardner Minshew, for his first career touchdown, before tearing his ACL later in the same game.
New York Giants Era (2023–2024)
Jackson signed with the New York Giants’ practice squad on August 30, 2023, and continued his work at tight end. He was promoted to the active roster on January 6, 2024, giving him a chance to contribute late in the season. The Giants valued his size and special-teams ability as he worked to round out his new position.
On August 16, 2024, the Giants designated Jackson as waived or injured, ending his time in New York. The stint added another layer of experience to his transition and kept him in the league’s evaluation system.
Washington Commanders Era (2024–Present)
On December 17, 2024, Tyree Romello Jackson signed with the Washington Commanders’ practice squad, marking his fourth NFL organization. The Commanders quickly saw him as a developmental tight end worth investing in, and on January 28, 2025, he signed a reserve or future contract with the club. That deal covers the 2025 and 2026 seasons and reflects the team’s belief in his upside at the position.
Jackson was placed on injured reserve on August 2, 2025, as the Commanders worked through the early part of training camp. Despite the setback, his contract status and role within the organization point to a long-term plan at tight end in Washington.
Notable Events and Milestones
Jackson’s most celebrated moment as a quarterback came during the 2019 preseason, when he led the Buffalo Bills back from a 23–6 deficit in the fourth quarter. His first NFL touchdown, a three-yard shovel pass from Gardner Minshew, came on January 8, 2022, and his MAC Offensive Player of the Year award in 2018 stands as the headline individual honor of his college career. Being named Most Valuable Player of the 2019 Senior Bowl South squad further cemented his reputation as a high-upside prospect.
Tyree Jackson Career Wins
Because Jackson’s professional career has unfolded primarily as a backup quarterback and developmental tight end, verified win totals and statistical summaries are limited. The achievements most clearly supported by his record are the 2018 MAC Offensive Player of the Year honor, first-team All-MAC selection, Dollar General Bowl appearance, and Senior Bowl MVP recognition. Those markers capture the high points of his transition from a high-volume college passer to a hybrid NFL tight end.
Other Wins and Performances
Jackson led the Buffalo Bulls to a 10–4 record in 2018, an MAC East division title, and a Dollar General Bowl appearance. He also guided a late preseason comeback for the Buffalo Bills in 2019 and helped spark a Defenders victory in week 5 of the 2020 XFL season. These team results highlight the winning impact he has had at multiple stops.
Tyree Jackson Family
Personal Life
Tyree Romello Jackson was raised in Norton Shores, Michigan, and continues to identify closely with his hometown and high school program at Mona Shores. He has kept most of his personal life private, and verified public details about his immediate family members are limited. His professional decisions, including his transition from quarterback to tight end, have been the central focus of his public profile since 2021.
2025 Season Performance
Tyree Romello Jackson entered the 2025 season as a tight end on the Washington Commanders’ roster after signing a reserve or future contract in January of that year. The Commanders brought him back to add size and depth to the tight end room, valuing his experience as a former starting quarterback. A roster move placed him on injured reserve on August 2, 2025, putting his on-field contributions for the year on hold.
Even with the injury, Jackson’s contract extends through the 2026 season, suggesting that Washington views him as a longer-term project rather than a short-term fill-in. His development in the Commanders’ system, combined with his unusual background as a college starting passer, gives the coaching staff a versatile piece to work with once healthy.
Looking ahead, Jackson’s main objective for the remainder of 2025 is recovery and a return to practice. If he can stay healthy and continue refining his blocking and route running, he has a clear opportunity to carve out a consistent role in the Commanders’ tight end rotation in 2026.