Jamal Agnew

Jamal Agnew Bio

Jamal Agnew (born April 3, 1995) is an American professional football wide receiver and return specialist who has played in the National Football League since 2017. He played college football for the San Diego Toreros where he competed as a cornerback and returned kicks. The Detroit Lions selected Agnew in the fifth round of the 2017 NFL Draft. He earned first-team All-Pro honors as a rookie and continued his career with the Jacksonville Jaguars, Pittsburgh Steelers, Atlanta Falcons, and Washington Commanders. Agnew tied the NFL record for the longest play in league history with a 109-yard return off a missed field goal during the 2021 season with Jacksonville.

Early Life and Background

Jamal Agnew was born on April 3, 1995, in San Diego, California. He attended Point Loma High School in the northern part of the city where he played high school football. Agnew consistently stood out among his peers throughout his high school career. Despite his strong performance on the field, his smaller stature worked against him when it came to collegiate recruitment. No major NCAA Division I schools offered him a scholarship due to concerns about his size. Agnew ultimately chose to continue his football career at the University of San Diego, staying close to his hometown.

Path to the NFL

Agnew enrolled at the University of San Diego where he played for the San Diego Toreros from 2013 to 2016. During his college career, he competed primarily as a cornerback while also handling return duties. He finished his collegiate tenure with 148 tackles and 11 interceptions. As a senior in 2016, he returned 17 punts for 216 yards, demonstrating the special teams skills that would define his professional career. Following his senior season, Agnew played in the 2017 NFLPA Collegiate Bowl to increase his visibility before the NFL Draft. His performance in that showcase helped cement his status as a draftable prospect.

Jamal Agnew Career

Detroit Lions (2017–2020)

The Detroit Lions selected Jamal Agnew in the fifth round with the 165th overall pick in the 2017 NFL Draft. He became the second player in San Diego Toreros history to be drafted, following 2008 draftee Josh Johnson. On May 12, 2017, the Lions signed him to a four-year contract worth $2.65 million with a $258,364 signing bonus. Agnew made an immediate impact during his rookie season. In Week 2 on Monday Night Football against the New York Giants, he scored his first NFL touchdown on an 88-yard punt return in the fourth quarter during a 24-10 victory. He earned National Football Conference Special Teams Player of the Week honors for that performance. In Week 6 against the New Orleans Saints, he recorded a 74-yard punt return touchdown. In Week 8 against the Pittsburgh Steelers, he recorded his first NFL reception, a 12-yard catch. He finished the 2017 season leading the NFL in both punt return yards and punt return touchdowns. He earned first-team All-Pro honors and was named to the Pro Football Writers of America All-Rookie Team. In 2018, Agnew was placed on injured reserve on October 15 due to a knee injury and was activated on December 19. He appeared in six games that season. In Week 3 of the 2019 season against the Philadelphia Eagles, he returned a kick 100 yards for a touchdown in a 27-24 win. In Week 16 against the Denver Broncos, he added a 64-yard punt return touchdown. On May 26, 2020, the Lions announced that Agnew would transition from cornerback to full-time wide receiver. During the 2020 season, he recorded 13 receptions for 89 yards while handling return duties.

Jacksonville Jaguars (2021–2023)

On March 17, 2021, Agnew signed a three-year contract worth $14.25 million with the Jacksonville Jaguars. In Week 2 of the 2021 season against the Denver Broncos, he scored his first touchdown for the Jaguars with a 102-yard kickoff return, setting a franchise record for the longest kick return in team history. The following week on September 26, 2021, against the Arizona Cardinals, Agnew returned a missed 68-yard field goal attempt 109 yards for a touchdown, tying the NFL record for the longest play in league history alongside Antonio Cromartie and Cordarrelle Patterson. The score came at the end of the first half during a 31-19 loss. He was named AFC Special Teams Player of the Month for September 2021. He suffered a hip injury in Week 11 and was placed on injured reserve on November 22, 2021. In the 2022 season, Agnew played in 15 games and gained 1,025 all-purpose yards while averaging 26 yards per kickoff return. During the playoffs, he played a significant role in the Jaguars’ run. In the Wild Card Round victory over the Los Angeles Chargers, he returned four kickoffs for 134 yards. In the Divisional Round loss to the Kansas City Chiefs, he returned three kickoffs for 131 yards, three punts for 23 yards, and had seven yards from scrimmage. However, he committed a costly fourth-quarter fumble in the opposing red zone during that game. He was named to the 2023 Pro Bowl after Baltimore Ravens kick returner Devin Duvernay was unable to participate due to injury. On November 12, 2023, Agnew suffered rib and shoulder injuries against the San Francisco 49ers and was placed on injured reserve on November 18. He was activated on December 16.

Pittsburgh Steelers (2024)

On November 12, 2024, Agnew was signed to the Pittsburgh Steelers practice squad.

Atlanta Falcons (2025)

On March 20, 2025, Agnew signed with the Atlanta Falcons. He appeared in 11 games for the Falcons, primarily playing on special teams. He averaged 7.6 yards per punt return and 24.7 yards per kick return. Atlanta released Agnew on December 20, 2025.

Washington Commanders (2025)

On December 22, 2025, the Washington Commanders claimed Agnew off waivers from the Falcons. However, he was waived the following day with a failed physical designation.

Driving Style and Strengths

Agnew has built his NFL career as a dynamic return specialist with exceptional speed and vision. His ability to read blocks and find creases in coverage has produced numerous big plays throughout his career. His experience as a defensive back in college translated well to his duties as a returner, giving him an understanding of coverage schemes and angles of pursuit. Agnew has shown versatility by successfully transitioning from cornerback to wide receiver while maintaining his core value as a special teams performer. His breakaway speed was demonstrated by his 109-yard return against Arizona and his 102-yard franchise record with Jacksonville.

Notable Events and Milestones

The most significant moment of Agnew’s career came on September 26, 2021, when he returned a missed field goal 109 yards for a touchdown against the Arizona Cardinals, tying the NFL record for the longest play in league history. He set the Jacksonville Jaguars franchise record with a 102-yard kickoff return in Week 2 of the 2021 season. His 88-yard punt return touchdown as a rookie in Week 2 of 2017 earned him NFC Special Teams Player of the Week honors and announced his arrival as a playmaker. His selection to the Pro Bowl in 2022 and first-team All-Pro in 2017 represent his status among the league’s elite return specialists.

Jamal Agnew Career Wins

Jamal Agnew has accumulated 12 total touchdowns throughout his NFL career across regular season and playoff games. He has recorded 77 receptions for 746 receiving yards and 263 rushing yards. His primary value has come as a return specialist with 5,247 career return yards. Defensively, he has contributed 31 career tackles along with one forced fumble and seven fumble recoveries.

NFL Highlights

Agnew’s rookie season in 2017 established him as one of the premier return specialists in the league. He led the NFL in punt return yards and punt return touchdowns that season while earning first-team All-Pro honors. His 88-yard punt return touchdown against the New York Giants on Monday Night Football remains one of the highlights of his career. The 2021 season brought the most memorable moment of his career when he tied the NFL record with a 109-yard missed field goal return. His Pro Bowl selection in 2022 recognized his consistent production as a returner following a 1,025 all-purpose yard season.

Other Wins and Performances

Agnew’s 100-yard kickoff return touchdown against the Philadelphia Eagles in 2019 demonstrated his big-play ability in a Lions uniform. His playoff performances with Jacksonville in the 2022 season saw him accumulate 265 return yards across two postseason games. His career has been marked by clutch special teams contributions including multiple game-changing returns that set up scoring opportunities for his offenses.

2025 Season Performance

The 2025 season saw Jamal Agnew continue his NFL journey with his fourth team in five years. He signed with the Atlanta Falcons in March 2025 and appeared in 11 games during the regular season. Agnew served primarily as a special teams contributor, averaging 7.6 yards per punt return and 24.7 yards per kick return. His tenure with the Falcons ended on December 20 when the team released him. The Washington Commanders claimed him off waivers on December 22 but waived him the following day following a failed physical examination. Despite the upheaval in his career path, Agnew’s track record as one of the most explosive return specialists in recent NFL history remains intact. His ability to change games with a single play was demonstrated throughout his career with successful returns of 88 yards, 74 yards, 102 yards, and the historic 109-yard play that tied the NFL record.