Matthew Ryan Sokol Bio
Matthew Ryan Sokol is an American professional football tight end who currently plays for the Pittsburgh Steelers of the National Football League (NFL). Born on November 9, 1995, in Rochester, Michigan, Sokol stands 6 feet 5 inches tall and weighs 249 pounds. He played college football for the Michigan State Spartans and entered the NFL as an undrafted free agent in 2019, eventually making his professional debut with the Los Angeles Chargers in 2020. Throughout his career, Sokol has been a journeyman player, moving between multiple NFL franchises while developing his skills as a professional tight end.
Early Life and Background
Sokol grew up in Rochester, Michigan, where he attended Adams High School. During his high school years, he played football and established himself as a talented tight end prospect. His combination of size and athleticism attracted attention from college scouts, ultimately leading to his recruitment by Michigan State University in East Lansing.
At Michigan State, Sokol continued his development as a player with the Spartans football program. His collegiate experience provided him with valuable game experience against high-level competition in the Big Ten Conference. While his specific statistics with the Spartans were modest, his time in college helped refine the skills he would need at the professional level.
Path to Professional Football
After completing his college career at Michigan State, Sokol entered the 2019 NFL Draft. Despite showing promise during his collegiate career, he went undrafted. His talent and potential were enough to attract attention from NFL teams as a free agent, and he signed with the Los Angeles Chargers shortly after the draft concluded, beginning his professional football journey.
The transition from college to professional football proved challenging for Sokol, as it does for most undrafted players. He spent significant time on practice squads during his early years while working to prove he belonged on NFL rosters.
Matthew Ryan Sokol Career
Los Angeles Chargers and Early Years (2019-2021)
Sokol signed with the Los Angeles Chargers as an undrafted free agent on April 27, 2019. He was waived during final roster cuts on August 31, 2019, and signed to the team’s practice squad the next day. He was released on September 18, re-signed to the practice squad on October 1, and released again on October 9, 2019.
Sokol signed with the Jacksonville Jaguars practice squad on November 18, 2019. He signed a reserve/future contract with the Detroit Lions on December 31, 2019, but was waived during final roster cuts on September 5, 2020. He joined the Chargers practice squad again on October 31, 2020, and was elevated to the active roster on December 26 for the week 16 game against the Denver Broncos, marking his first official NFL game appearance. He was promoted to the active roster on January 1, 2021.
Jacksonville and Detroit Return (2021-2022)
Sokol was waived by the Chargers on August 31, 2021. He re-signed with the Jacksonville Jaguars practice squad on September 2, 2021. On January 12, 2022, he signed another reserve/future contract with the Detroit Lions, but was waived on May 10, 2022.
On May 11, 2022, Sokol was claimed off waivers by the New England Patriots. He was waived on August 30 and signed to the practice squad the next day. He signed a reserve/future contract on January 10, 2023. On August 29, 2023, he was waived by the Patriots and re-signed to the practice squad. He became a free agent after the 2023 season.
Pittsburgh Steelers (2024-Present)
On July 30, 2024, Sokol signed with the Pittsburgh Steelers. He was waived on August 27 and re-signed to the practice squad. He was released on September 24, then signed to the practice squad again on November 6, 2024. On July 22, 2025, Sokol signed with the Buffalo Bills, but was waived on August 24, 2025.
On September 17, 2025, Sokol returned to the Pittsburgh Steelers, signing with their practice squad. This marked his return to the franchise after his earlier stint during the 2024 season.
Playing Style and Strengths
Sokol brings size and length to the tight end position at 6 feet 5 inches and 249 pounds. His frame allows him to contribute as a blocker in running situations while also providing a large target in the passing game. Throughout his career, he has been utilized on special teams and as a depth player at tight end, showcasing his toughness and reliability as a team player.
Notable Events and Milestones
His December 26, 2020 elevation to the Los Angeles Chargers active roster marked his first official NFL game appearance. The promotion from practice squad to active roster demonstrated his persistence through the challenging undrafted player pathway in the NFL.
Matthew Ryan Sokol Career Statistics
Throughout his NFL career spanning multiple teams, Sokol has appeared in a limited number of regular season games. His career statistics reflect his role as a situational and special teams player rather than a primary offensive weapon. As of the 2025 season, he has played in 8 NFL games.
| Season | Team | Games Played |
|---|---|---|
| 2020-2021 | Los Angeles Chargers | Multiple |
| 2022-2023 | New England Patriots | Multiple |
| 2024 | Pittsburgh Steelers | Multiple |
| Career Total | NFL | 8 |
Family
Personal Life
Matt Sokol was born on November 9, 1995, in Rochester, Michigan. His parents and family background remain private and are not extensively documented in public sources. Information about his marital status or children is not publicly available.
2025 Season Performance
Sokol signed with the Buffalo Bills in July 2025 but was waived in late August, indicating he did not make the Bills roster for the 2025 season. His release from Buffalo demonstrated the continued competitive nature of NFL roster decisions and the challenges faced by veteran depth players in maintaining consistent roster spots.
His return to the Pittsburgh Steelers practice squad on September 17, 2025, provided another opportunity to continue his NFL career. The Steelers have utilized Sokol as a practice squad player, allowing him to remain with the organization while continuing to develop his skills and contribute to the team environment.
Throughout his career, Sokol has demonstrated the persistence and adaptability required to maintain an NFL career as an undrafted player. His experience with multiple franchises has provided him with valuable knowledge of different offensive systems and locker room environments. As the 2025 season continues, Sokol remains focused on earning future opportunities to contribute at the professional level.