Ben Bredeson Bio
Ben Bredeson is an American professional football guard for the Tampa Bay Buccaneers of the National Football League (NFL). He earned Second-team All-American honors playing college football for the Michigan Wolverines and was selected by the Baltimore Ravens in the fourth round of the 2020 NFL draft. Bredeson attended Arrowhead High School in Hartland, Wisconsin, where he won the Wisconsin Gatorade Player of the Year award and received All-American recognition from MaxPreps and USA Today.
His football development was shaped by his father, Mike Bredeson, who played center at Illinois State, giving Ben early exposure to the sport at the highest family level. Known for his versatility and power at the guard position, Bredeson has built a reputation as a reliable interior offensive lineman capable of starting at left guard for multiple NFL franchises.
Early Life and Background
Ben Bredeson was born on February 20, 1998 in Hartland, Wisconsin to Mike Bredeson, a former Illinois State center. He is the middle brother of Jack, his older sibling, and Max, his younger brother. Bredeson played high school football at Arrowhead High School and made the varsity team during his freshman year, an uncommon achievement that immediately set him apart from his peers.
As a junior at Arrowhead High School, Bredeson was named a first-team All-State selection. He followed that accomplishment as a senior by earning first-team All-State honors again alongside first-team All-American recognition from MaxPreps and USA Today. He also received the Joe Thomas Award as the top offensive lineman in the state of Wisconsin and the Gatorade Player of the Year award in Wisconsin. His performance placed him among the nations top high school seniors, earning him an invitation to the 2016 Under Armour All-America Game. After receiving 17 scholarship offers, Bredeson narrowed his choices to Alabama, Michigan, Notre Dame, Ohio State, Stanford, and Wisconsin before committing to the Michigan Wolverines on June 17, 2015.
Path to Professional Football
Bredeson arrived at the University of Michigan in 2016 and immediately faced a significant position change, switching from offensive tackle to guard, a role he had never played in high school. Despite the adjustment, he adapted quickly and established himself as one of the most consistent offensive linemen in the Big Ten Conference. His college performance attracted increasing attention from NFL scouts over his four seasons with the Wolverines.
Following the 2017 season, Bredeson earned second-team All-Big Ten honors from both the coaches and the media. He repeated that recognition after the 2018 season, reinforcing his reputation as one of the conferences top interior linemen. The 2019 season marked his breakout year as he was named first-team All-Big Ten by both the coaches and media and received Second-team All-American recognition from the Walter Camp Football Foundation. His senior season performance solidified his status as a legitimate NFL draft prospect.
Ben Bredeson Career
College Career (2016–2019)
Ben Bredeson played four seasons at the University of Michigan from 2016 through 2019. He transitioned to the guard position as a freshman and steadily developed into one of the most decorated offensive linemen in program history. His college honors include three consecutive All-Big Ten selections and a Second-team All-American nod in 2019.
Bredesons résumé from Michigan also includes his participation in the Under Armour All-America Game before his college career and early All-American honors as a high school senior. His combination of college production and high school pedigree made him an attractive mid-round prospect leading into the 2020 NFL draft.
Baltimore Ravens (2020)
The Baltimore Ravens selected Ben Bredeson in the fourth round of the 2020 NFL draft with the 143rd overall pick. In his rookie season, he appeared in 10 games, primarily in a reserve and special teams role. Bredeson was a healthy scratch for weeks 1 through 3, weeks 6 and 7, and week 10 of the season. On January 9, 2021, the Ravens placed him on injured reserve, effectively ending his rookie campaign.
Bredesons time with Baltimore provided valuable NFL experience even though opportunities were limited by injuries and depth chart considerations. His draft position reflected confidence in his potential as a developmental interior lineman, and the Ravens traded him to expand opportunities elsewhere.
New York Giants (2021–2023)
On August 31, 2021, the Ravens traded Bredeson to the New York Giants alongside a 2022 fifth-round pick and a 2023 seventh-round pick in exchange for a 2022 fourth-round pick. He made his Giants debut in week 2 against the Washington Football Team after Nick Gates suffered a leg injury. In week 3, Bredeson earned his first career start against the Atlanta Falcons but injured his hand during the game and was declared inactive the following week against the New Orleans Saints.
Bredeson secured the starting left guard position for the Giants in week 1 of the 2022 season after Shane Lemieux suffered an injury during the first preseason game. On October 29, 2022, he was placed on injured reserve with a knee injury before being activated on December 17. He returned as the starting left guard in week 1 of the 2023 season, winning the job over Joshua Ezeudu during training camp. On October 15, 2023, the Giants moved Bredeson to right guard following the signing of Justin Pugh.
Tampa Bay Buccaneers (2024–Present)
On March 15, 2024, Bredeson signed with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers as a free agent. The Buccaneers named him the starting left guard, and he started all 17 games during the 2024 season. His consistent play helped stabilize the offensive line for a Buccaneers team with playoff aspirations. The move to Tampa Bay represented a fresh start for Bredeson and allowed him to showcase his abilities in a new system with expanded responsibilities.
On March 12, 2025, Bredeson signed a three-year contract extension with the Buccaneers worth $22 million. He made 11 starts for the team during the 2025 season before suffering a knee injury in week 14 against the New Orleans Saints. On December 9, 2025, the Buccaneers placed Bredeson on season-ending injured reserve.
Ben Bredeson Family
Family Background and Football Lineage
Ben Bredeson comes from a family with deep football roots. His father, Mike Bredeson, played center at Illinois State University, providing Ben with an early and influential introduction to the sport. Ben has two brothers, Jack Bredeson, who is older, and Max Bredeson, who is younger. The Bredeson brothers grew up in Hartland, Wisconsin, surrounded by football culture that helped shape Ben path to the NFL.
Personal Life
Bredeson maintains a presence on social media through his Instagram account. He currently resides in the United States, though specific location details are not publicly confirmed. He keeps his personal life largely private and focuses his public profile on his football career.
2025 Season Performance
Ben Bredeson entered the 2025 season as the Tampa Bay Buccaneers starting left guard following his offseason contract extension. He made 11 consecutive starts before a knee injury in week 14 against the New Orleans Saints sidelined him for the remainder of the season. On December 9, 2025, the Buccaneers placed him on season-ending injured reserve.
Bredesons 2025 season reflected both his value to the Buccaneers offensive line and the physical demands of the guard position in the NFL. His contract extension through the 2027 season signals the organizations confidence in his ability to contribute when healthy. He will look to return fully recovered and resume his role as a key piece of the Buccaneers offensive front.