Ben Niemann Bio
Benjamin Niemann is an American professional football linebacker who has built a durable NFL career since entering the league as an undrafted free agent in 2018. Born on July 27, 1995, in Des Moines, Iowa, Niemann has played for seven NFL franchises over seven seasons, including the Kansas City Chiefs, Arizona Cardinals, Tennessee Titans, Denver Broncos, Detroit Lions, New York Jets, and Los Angeles Rams. He earned a Super Bowl championship with the Chiefs in Super Bowl LIV and has contributed primarily as a special teams performer and depth linebacker throughout his professional career.
Early Life and Background
Ben Niemann grew up moving between locations due to his father Jay Niemann’s career as a football coach, eventually settling in Sycamore, Illinois where he attended Sycamore High School. At Sycamore High School, Niemann distinguished himself as a dual-sport athlete, competing in both football and basketball while excelling on the football field. He played multiple positions including wide receiver and safety, demonstrating the versatility that would characterize his future football career. Niemann earned first-team all-state honors in football during both his junior and senior seasons, establishing himself as one of the top high school players in Illinois.
Path to American Football
Following his standout high school career at Sycamore, Niemann chose to continue his football journey at the University of Iowa, joining the Hawkeyes program from 2014 through 2017. He appeared in 53 games across four seasons, eventually starting the final 40 games of his collegiate career after beginning as a special teams contributor and reserve linebacker as a true freshman. His first collegiate highlight came when he blocked a punt and returned it for a touchdown against Northwestern, showcasing his playmaking ability on special teams. Niemann transitioned to a starting role at outside linebacker entering his sophomore year and consistently produced throughout his career, earning honorable mention All-Big Ten Conference honors twice during his tenure at Iowa.
Ben Niemann Career
Kansas City Chiefs (2018–2021)
Niemann signed with the Kansas City Chiefs as an undrafted free agent in 2018 and successfully made the final 53-man roster out of training camp, immediately proving his ability to compete at the professional level. He made his NFL debut on September 9, 2018, in the season opener against the Los Angeles Chargers, appearing primarily on special teams. Niemann earned his first career start on November 11, 2018, in a 26–14 victory over the Arizona Cardinals, leading the team with six tackles. He finished his rookie season with 10 tackles across 14 games and appeared in both Chiefs postseason games, including the AFC Championship victory over the New England Patriots.
The 2019 season marked Niemann’s breakthrough, as he became a regular starter and appeared in all 16 regular season games while making 56 tackles. His most significant contribution came during the Chiefs’ Super Bowl LIV victory over the San Francisco 49ers, where he recorded a tackle and a hit on quarterback Jimmy Garoppolo that forced an incomplete pass on a crucial third down in the fourth quarter. In 2020, Niemann recorded his first career sack during a Week 3 Monday Night Football victory over the Baltimore Ravens, bringing down quarterback Lamar Jackson while also recovering a fumble during the 34–20 win. He finished the 2020 season with 44 total tackles, one sack, and one forced fumble before re-signing with the Chiefs on March 17, 2021.
Arizona Cardinals (2022)
Niemann signed with the Arizona Cardinals on June 16, 2022, seeking a fresh start and expanded role with his new team. The 2022 season proved to be his most productive professionally, as he played in all 17 games with nine starts and recorded a career-high 70 tackles along with two tackles for loss, one fumble recovery, and one pass defended. This season demonstrated Niemann’s ability to contribute meaningfully on defense when given the opportunity, establishing him as a reliable starting linebacker at the NFL level.
Tennessee Titans and Denver Broncos (2023)
Niemann signed with the Tennessee Titans on April 17, 2023, but was waived on August 29, 2023, during final roster cuts. He quickly found a new opportunity, signing with the Denver Broncos practice squad on September 1, 2023. Niemann was promoted to the Broncos active roster on October 30, 2023, and appeared in seven games that season, recording two combined tackles while primarily contributing on special teams.
Detroit Lions (2024)
On June 10, 2024, Niemann signed with the Detroit Lions, joining another NFL franchise in search of playing time and roster stability. He competed for a spot on the Lions roster during the 2024 season, continuing his pattern of moving between teams while maintaining his role as a special teams contributor and experienced depth at linebacker.
New York Jets and Los Angeles Rams (2025–Present)
Niemann was signed to the New York Jets practice squad on September 23, 2025, providing experienced linebacker depth and special teams capability to the organization. He was released by the Jets on September 30, 2025. Subsequently, Niemann signed with the Los Angeles Rams practice squad on January 6, 2026, joining his seventh NFL franchise and continuing his journeyman career as a reliable veteran presence in the league.
Playing Style and Strengths
Niemann has established himself as a reliable and versatile linebacker capable of playing both inside and outside positions along the defensive front. His primary contributions have come on special teams, where his experience and football instincts have made him a valuable asset for multiple organizations throughout his career. Niemann demonstrates solid tackling technique and awareness in coverage, allowing him to contribute effectively when called upon to play defensive snaps. His durability and adaptability have enabled him to remain in the NFL for seven seasons despite never being drafted, proving his ability to compete at the highest professional level through persistence and performance.
Notable Events and Milestones
Niemann’s career highlight remains his Super Bowl LIV championship with the Kansas City Chiefs during the 2019 season, where his pressure on Jimmy Garoppolo helped seal the victory. His first career sack against Lamar Jackson on Monday Night Football in 2020 represented another significant milestone, demonstrating his ability to make impactful plays against elite quarterbacks. The career-high 70 tackles he recorded with the Cardinals in 2022 further established his value as a starting-caliber linebacker when provided the opportunity.
Ben Niemann Career Stats
Throughout his NFL career spanning seven seasons with seven different teams, Niemann has accumulated 264 total tackles, 2 sacks, 1 forced fumble, 7 fumble recoveries, and 4 pass deflections as of the 2025 season. These statistics reflect his role as primarily a special teams performer and rotational linebacker rather than a featured starter, though his longevity in the league speaks to his reliability and value to NFL organizations.
| Stat | Career Total |
|---|---|
| Total Tackles | 264 |
| Sacks | 2 |
| Forced Fumbles | 1 |
| Fumble Recoveries | 7 |
| Pass Deflections | 4 |
Ben Niemann Family
Family Background and Football Lineage
Ben Niemann comes from a football family with deep roots in the sport at both the collegiate and professional levels. His father, Jay Niemann, has built an extensive coaching career that includes serving as Defensive Coordinator at Rutgers and Northern Illinois, Head Coach at Simpson College, and currently as the Assistant Defensive Line Coach and Defensive Recruiting Coordinator at the University of Iowa. Jay Niemann’s coaching career provided Ben with unique exposure to football at all levels from an early age, shaping his understanding of the game and his development as a player.
Personal Life
Ben Niemann has a younger brother, Nick Niemann, who has also pursued a professional football career as a linebacker. Nick Niemann currently plays for the Green Bay Packers, continuing the family’s tradition in the sport. The Niemann brothers represent one of the few sibling pairs in the NFL, with both having developed from Iowa college products into professional linebackers. Their father Jay’s extensive coaching network and football knowledge undoubtedly influenced both brothers’ development paths into the professional ranks.
2025 Season Performance
The 2025 season saw Ben Niemann continue his journeyman NFL career, signing with the New York Jets practice squad in September 2025 before being released later that month. Niemann subsequently joined the Los Angeles Rams practice squad in January 2026, marking his seventh different NFL franchise. This pattern reflects Niemann’s established role as experienced depth at the linebacker position rather than a guaranteed starter, providing veteran leadership and special teams capability to organizations seeking reliable players. Throughout his career, Niemann has demonstrated the ability to contribute when called upon while maintaining the flexibility to adapt to different defensive systems and team cultures. His continued presence in the league through 2025 underscores the value of his experience and special teams expertise to NFL franchises.