Andrew Wingard Bio
Andrew Wingard is an American professional football safety who currently plays in the National Football League. Born on December 5, 1996, in Lincoln, Nebraska, Wingard distinguished himself as one of the most productive tacklers in college football at Wyoming before launching his professional career. He entered the NFL as an undrafted free agent with the Jacksonville Jaguars in 2019 and quickly established himself as a reliable presence in the secondary. Wingard, nicknamed “Dewey,” has built a reputation as a tenacious defender with a knack for making impactful plays throughout his career.
Early Life and Background
Andrew Wingard grew up in Arvada, Colorado, where he attended Ralston Valley High School. During his high school career, Wingard developed into a standout safety, showcasing the instincts and physicality that would define his playing style at the next level. His performance in high school earned him recognition as a promising defensive prospect in the competitive Colorado prep scene.
After graduating from Ralston Valley, Wingard pursued his football dreams at the collegiate level, choosing to continue his career at the University of Wyoming. This decision would prove pivotal, as Wingard would go on to become one of the most decorated players in the program’s history.
Path to Professional Football
Wingard arrived at Wyoming in 2015 and immediately made an impact on the Cowboys defense. Over four seasons from 2015 to 2018, he accumulated 454 total tackles, ranking second all-time in program history. His consistency and ability to read offenses made him a focal point of the Wyoming defensive scheme. Wingard capped his collegiate career by finishing tied for the most tackles in Mountain West Conference history, a testament to his endurance and football intelligence.
His outstanding college performance earned him three consecutive first-team All-Mountain West Conference selections from 2016 through 2018. Despite his impressive statistics and accolades, Wingard went undrafted in the 2019 NFL Draft. However, his talent did not go unnoticed, as the Jacksonville Jaguars signed him as an undrafted free agent shortly after the draft concluded.
Andrew Wingard Career
Jacksonville Jaguars (2019–2025)
Wingard signed with the Jacksonville Jaguars on April 29, 2019, agreeing to a three-year contract worth $1.76 million with a $5,000 signing bonus. He faced the immediate challenge of earning a roster spot on an NFL team, competing against established veterans and other aspiring players at the safety position. Wingard impressed coaches throughout training camp and the preseason, demonstrating his coverage skills and physicality in the secondary.
On August 31, 2019, Wingard made the Jaguars final 53-man roster, officially beginning his NFL career. His rookie season provided a gradual introduction to professional football, with Wingard seeing increasing playing time as the year progressed. A defining moment came in Week 13 of the 2019 season when Wingard recorded his first career sack, a strip sack on Tampa Bay Buccaneers quarterback Jameis Winston that he also recovered in the 28–11 loss. The play showcased his instincts and ability to make game-changing contributions.
Establishing a Role (2020–2022)
The 2020 season saw Wingard take a significant step forward in his development. He opened the year by placing on the reserve/COVID-19 list in August but was activated two days later. In Week 1 against the Indianapolis Colts, Wingard recorded his first career NFL interception, picking off a pass from Philip Rivers in the 27–20 victory. He continued his strong play throughout the season, adding a second interception against Rivers and the Colts in Week 17. Wingard appeared in 14 games that season, making 55 tackles while battling through an abdominal injury that landed him on injured reserve in October. He was activated in November to finish the campaign.
In 2021, Wingard continued his progression with the Jaguars defense, recording 88 tackles, one sack, one interception, and one pass defended across the season. His consistency in the secondary became a reliable asset for a Jacksonville team in transition. The following year, Wingard received a restricted free agent tender from the Jaguars in March, signaling the team’s desire to retain him. He appeared in all 17 games, starting three, and recorded 37 tackles, one interception, one pass defended, and one forced fumble.
Contract Extension and Recent Seasons (2023–2024)
On March 15, 2023, Wingard signed a three-year contract extension worth $9.6 million with the Jacksonville Jaguars, reflecting the value he had established within the organization. The deal represented a significant milestone in his career, transforming him from an undrafted rookie into a foundational piece of the Jaguars secondary. Wingard continued his steady production throughout the 2023 season, finishing with 45 tackles, one interception, two passes defended, and one forced fumble. He recorded an interception against the Pittsburgh Steelers in Week 8 of that campaign.
The 2024 season presented challenges as Wingard began the year on injured reserve, placed there on August 27. He remained sidelined for several weeks before being activated on November 9, returning to contribute in the secondary for the stretch run of the season. Wingard’s ability to recover from injury and return to form exemplified the resilience that had characterized his NFL journey.
Playing Style and Strengths
Wingard has established himself as a physical, instincts-driven safety capable of playing both deep coverage and near the line of scrimmage. His collegiate background as a high-volume tackler translated effectively to the NFL, where he has consistently ranked among the team leaders in defensive stats. Wingard’s football intelligence allows him to read quarterbacks and diagnose plays quickly, creating opportunities for big plays in the passing game. His versatility enables defensive coordinators to use him in various alignments, matching up against tight ends, running backs, and wide receivers as situations demand.
Notable Performances and Milestones
Throughout his career with the Jaguars, Wingard accumulated several memorable performances that defined his tenure with the franchise. His Week 13 rookie-season strip sack against Jameis Winston showcased his ability to create turnovers in crucial moments. The interception performances against Philip Rivers demonstrated his coverage skills and capacity to make plays on the ball when quarterbacks underestimated his range and anticipation. Wingard’s three-interception season in 2020, combined with his steady tackle production, established him as a reliable every-down player for the Jaguars defense.
Andrew Wingard Career Statistics
Wingard has compiled impressive statistics across his NFL career with the Jacksonville Jaguars. His durability and consistent playing time have allowed him to accumulate significant numbers in his primary defensive categories, establishing himself as one of the more productive safeties in franchise history during his tenure.
Jacksonville Jaguars Highlights
Over six seasons with the Jacksonville Jaguars from 2019 to 2025, Wingard appeared in over 80 games and established himself as a core member of the secondary. His career totals include 349 tackles, 2 sacks, 6 interceptions, 22 pass deflections, 3 forced fumbles, and 2 fumble recoveries. Wingard’s first career interception against Philip Rivers in 2020 marked a turning point in his development, confirming his ability to compete at the highest level. The 2023 season saw him rewarded with a multi-year extension after another productive campaign that included multiple turnovers created.
College Career Highlights
Before his NFL success, Wingard posted remarkable numbers at the University of Wyoming. His 454 career tackles ranked second in program history and tied him for the most tackles in Mountain West Conference history. The three consecutive first-team All-MWC selections from 2016 to 2018 underscored his dominance at the collegiate level, setting the foundation for his professional career.
| Competition | Tackles | Sacks | Interceptions | Pass Deflections |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| NFL Regular Season | 349 | 2 | 6 | 22 |
Andrew Wingard Family
Personal Life
Andrew Wingard maintains a public profile on social media, where he connects with fans under the handle “deweywingard” on Instagram. Known affectionately as “Dewey” by teammates, coaches, and fans alike, Wingard has built a reputation for his approachable personality despite his fierce playing style on the field. He has not publicly disclosed detailed information about his family life or relationships as of the most recent available information.
2025 Season Performance
The 2025 season marked another chapter in Andrew Wingard’s tenure with the Jacksonville Jaguars as he entered the year as a veteran presence in the secondary. Having recovered from the injury that limited his 2024 campaign, Wingard aimed to reestablish himself as a key contributor in a defensive backfield that relied on his experience and leadership. His contract situation remained stable with multiple years remaining on his extension, providing both him and the team with long-term security and commitment to the partnership.
Throughout the 2025 season, Wingard continued to demonstrate the reliability that had characterized his career since joining the Jaguars as an undrafted free agent in 2019. His contributions in both the passing game and against the run provided defensive coordinator support in game planning against opposing offenses. The continuity of his presence in the lineup offered stability to a secondary that valued his communication skills and pre-snap reads. As the season progressed, Wingard’s veteran perspective proved valuable in guiding younger defensive backs while maintaining his own production on the field.