Cody James Thompson Bio
Cody James Thompson is an American professional football wide receiver who currently plays for the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. Born on January 11, 1996, in Huron, Ohio, Thompson attended Huron High School before playing college football for the Toledo Rockets from 2014 to 2018. He finished his collegiate career as the school record holder with 30 touchdown receptions and earned First-team All-MAC honors twice. After going undrafted in the 2019 NFL Draft, Thompson signed with the Kansas City Chiefs and has since played for the Seattle Seahawks and Cincinnati Bengals before joining Tampa Bay in 2024.
Early Life and Background
Thompson grew up in Huron, Ohio, where he attended Huron High School. During his high school career, he developed as a talented wide receiver, setting the foundation for his future at the collegiate level. His performance in high school earned him recognition as a promising prospect heading into his college years.
After graduating from Huron High School, Thompson continued his football journey at the University of Toledo in Ohio. He joined the Toledo Rockets program and quickly established himself as a playmaker in the passing game.
Path to American Football
Thompson arrived at the University of Toledo in 2014 and immediately began contributing to the Rockets offense. Over his five seasons with the program from 2014 to 2018, he developed into one of the most productive receivers in the Mid-American Conference.
His standout performance came during his senior season in 2018, when he solidified his status as a premier pass-catcher in the conference. Thompson’s combination of size, speed, and reliable hands made him a dangerous target in the red zone and across the field.
Cody James Thompson Career
Early Career (2019)
Despite a productive college career, Thompson went undrafted in the 2019 NFL Draft. His talent and college production attracted attention from NFL teams, and he signed with the Kansas City Chiefs as an undrafted free agent on May 6, 2019. He was waived during final roster cuts on August 31, 2019, but was signed to the team’s practice squad shortly after.
Thompson’s rookie season involved significant movement between teams. He was released by the Chiefs in late October 2019 and subsequently signed to the Seattle Seahawks practice squad. He was released by the Seahawks just days later before eventually joining the Cincinnati Bengals practice squad in November 2019.
Seattle Seahawks Era (2019–2023)
Thompson’s tenure with the Seahawks began with brief practice squad stints before he re-signed with the team on January 8, 2020, following the 2019 season. He signed a reserve/futures contract with Seattle on January 14, 2020, marking the beginning of a more sustained stay with the organization.
After being waived during final roster cuts in August 2021, Thompson was re-signed to the practice squad and later elevated to the active roster on September 26, 2021, for the team’s week 3 game against the Minnesota Vikings. This marked his NFL debut.
Thompson continued with the Seahawks organization through the 2022 and 2023 seasons. In 2023, he made the Seahawks final roster as a special teams player and backup wide receiver. His breakthrough moment came on October 2, 2023, when he was elevated to the active roster and caught his first regular-season NFL pass, a 10-yard reception against the New York Giants.
Throughout his time with Seattle, Thompson repeatedly moved between the active roster and practice squad, demonstrating his value as a reliable depth player and special teams contributor. He became a free agent after the 2023 season when his practice squad contract expired.
Tampa Bay Buccaneers Era (2024–Present)
On June 6, 2024, Thompson signed with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. He was released during roster cuts on August 27, 2024, but was signed to the team’s practice squad the following day. His ability to contribute on special teams and as a depth receiver made him a valuable asset for the Buccaneers organization.
Playing Style and Strengths
Thompson possesses the size and length teams look for in a possession receiver at 6 feet 2 inches and 205 pounds. His college production demonstrated his reliability as a pass-catcher, particularly in the red zone where he set the Toledo school record with 30 career touchdown receptions. His special teams experience with the Seahawks showed his willingness to contribute in multiple phases of the game.
Notable Events and Milestones
The most significant milestone in Thompson’s NFL career came on October 2, 2023, when he caught his first regular-season NFL pass, a 10-yard reception against the New York Giants. This moment marked the culmination of years of persistence after going undrafted and multiple practice squad stints across several organizations.
Cody James Thompson Career Statistics
Thompson’s NFL career has been defined by perseverance and steady contribution on special teams and as a backup receiver. After four seasons in the league, he has recorded limited but meaningful statistics at the NFL level.
NFL Highlights
Thompson made his NFL debut on September 26, 2021, with the Seattle Seahawks against the Minnesota Vikings. His first regular-season reception came on October 2, 2023, against the New York Giants, a 10-yard catch that marked a career milestone. Throughout his time with Seattle, he carved out a role as a special teams player and emergency depth at wide receiver.
College Career Statistics
During his five seasons at Toledo from 2014 to 2018, Thompson established himself as one of the most productive receivers in program history. He finished his collegiate career with 181 receptions for 3,312 yards and a school-record 30 touchdowns. His 30 career touchdown receptions remain the highest total in Toledo football history.
Career Awards
Thompson earned recognition for his outstanding college performance by being named First-team All-MAC twice, receiving the honor in both 2016 and 2018.
Cody James Thompson Family
Family Background
Limited information is publicly available regarding Thompson’s family background. He was born and raised in Huron, Ohio, where he attended Huron High School before progressing to his collegiate career at the University of Toledo.
Personal Life
Thompson maintains an active presence on social media, with accounts on X (formerly Twitter) and Instagram where he engages with fans. He continues to pursue his NFL career following his path as an undrafted player who has demonstrated resilience in earning roster spots through training camps and preseason competitions.
2025 Season Performance
Thompson enters the 2025 season with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, having re-signed with the organization during the 2024 season. His experience from four seasons with the Seattle Seahawks, where he learned to contribute on special teams and as a backup receiver, positions him as a valuable depth player for the Buccaneers coaching staff.
The Buccaneers have relied on Thompson’s professionalism and adaptability as he continues to compete for playing time in a competitive receiver room. His ability to move between the active roster and practice squad throughout his career demonstrates his value as a flexible roster piece.
Thompson’s journey from an undrafted free agent to a multi-year NFL veteran exemplifies the persistence required to build a career in professional football. As he enters the 2025 season, he aims to continue contributing on special teams and potentially earn more opportunities in the passing game with Tampa Bay.