Charles Ellis Cross Bio
Charles Ellis Cross is an American professional football offensive tackle who currently plays for the Seattle Seahawks of the National Football League (NFL). Born on November 25, 2000, in Laurel, Mississippi, Cross has established himself as one of the premier offensive tackles in professional football. He played college football for the Mississippi State Bulldogs before being selected ninth overall by the Seattle Seahawks in the 2022 NFL Draft. Cross has since become a foundational piece of the Seahawks offensive line, earning a Super Bowl championship and a lucrative contract extension. His journey from small-town Mississippi to NFL stardom exemplifies dedication and relentless improvement at the sport’s highest level.
Early Life and Background
Charles Ellis Cross was born on November 25, 2000, in Laurel, Mississippi, a city in Jones County. He attended Laurel High School in his hometown, where he began to develop his reputation as an exceptional offensive tackle prospect. During his senior season, Cross initially committed to play college football at Florida State University, one of the premier football programs in the country. However, he ultimately decommitted from Florida State during his senior year and chose to sign with Mississippi State University instead, a decision that would shape his collegiate career and NFL trajectory.
While at Laurel High School, Cross showcased his talent on the national stage by playing in the 2018 All-American Bowl, one of the most prestigious high school football all-star games in the United States. This appearance highlighted his status as a top prospect and attracted attention from major college programs across the nation. His performance in the All-American Bowl reinforced what scouts had observed during his high school career: exceptional size, footwork, and the physical tools necessary to succeed at the collegiate level.
Path to Professional Football
Upon joining the Mississippi State Bulldogs, Cross redshirted his true freshman season after appearing in just three games. This redshirt year allowed him to adapt to the increased competition and physical demands of SEC football while developing his technique under the Bulldogs coaching staff. The experience proved invaluable as he prepared for his transition to regular playing time.
Cross was named the Bulldogs’ starting left tackle heading into his redshirt freshman season, a testament to both his ability and the coaching staff’s confidence in his potential. He started 10 games during that campaign and earned a spot on the Southeastern Conference All-Freshman team, signaling his emergence as a standout performer in one of college football’s most competitive conferences. His rapid ascent continued into his redshirt sophomore season, when he entered as one of the top offensive tackle prospects nationally and earned preseason second-team All-SEC honors. Following that season, Cross declared for the 2022 NFL Draft, concluding his collegiate career with significant accomplishments including First-team All-SEC recognition in 2021.
Charles Ellis Cross Career
Seattle Seahawks Era (2022-Present)
Charles Ellis Cross was selected ninth overall by the Seattle Seahawks in the first round of the 2022 NFL Draft. The Seahawks had acquired this first-round selection through a trade that sent quarterback Russell Wilson to the Denver Broncos, making Cross a key piece of Seattle’s rebuilding efforts. He signed his four-year rookie contract on June 2, 2022, acting as his own agent during negotiations, demonstrating early signs of the independence and business acumen that would later characterize his career.
In his rookie season, Cross immediately earned the starting left tackle position and did not miss a beat. He appeared in and started all 17 regular season games plus the team’s playoff contest, establishing himself as a reliable anchor on the Seahawks offensive line from day one. His performance in 2022 validated the team’s decision to select him ninth overall and provided a foundation for the future. The following season brought some challenges as Cross appeared in and started 14 games, but he remained a consistent presence in the lineup.
The 2024 season saw Cross return to full strength, starting in all 17 games for the Seahawks and continuing his development as one of the league’s better young tackles. On April 28, 2025, the Seahawks exercised the fifth-year option on his contract, securing his services through the 2026 season. This vote of confidence from the organization reflected his importance to the team’s long-term plans and offensive line stability.
Contract Extension and Super Bowl Championship
On January 4, 2026, Cross reached a landmark agreement with the Seahawks, signing a four-year contract extension worth $104.4 million with $75 million guaranteed. The deal made him one of the highest-paid offensive tackles in NFL history and cemented his status as a cornerstone player for Seattle’s future. That same year, Cross started in Super Bowl LX, where the Seahawks defeated the New England Patriots by a score of 29-13. The Super Bowl championship represented the culmination of Cross’s journey from Mississippi to the pinnacle of professional football.
Driving Style and Strengths
Cross brings exceptional length and footwork to the offensive tackle position, attributes that proved invaluable during his development at Mississippi State and have translated effectively to the NFL level. His ability to mirror pass rushers with smooth hips and balanced footwork has made him a reliable protector of the quarterback’s blind side. His physical profile, standing at 6 feet 5 inches and weighing 317 pounds, provides the size and strength necessary to anchor against power rushers while maintaining the agility required for edge speed rushers.
Notable Events and Milestones
Among Cross’s most significant career milestones are his First-team All-SEC selection in 2021, his ninth-overall selection in the 2022 NFL Draft, and his Super Bowl LX championship with the Seahawks. His $104.4 million contract extension in January 2026 positioned him among the highest-paid players at his position and recognized his value as a consistent performer on Seattle’s offensive line.
Charles Ellis Cross Career Statistics
Throughout his NFL career through the 2025 season, Charles Ellis Cross has demonstrated remarkable durability and consistency, appearing in and starting every game he has played. His professional career statistics reflect a player who has rarely left the field, embodying the reliability that NFL teams seek in foundational offensive linemen.
NFL Regular Season Statistics
In his first four seasons with the Seattle Seahawks from 2022 to 2025, Cross started 62 consecutive games, never missing a start when healthy. He appeared in 62 total games for the franchise during that span, including a playoff appearance as a rookie and consistent starting roles across each season. His durability and availability have been hallmarks of his professional career, providing the Seahawks with stability at a critical offensive line position.
| Season | Games | Starts |
|---|---|---|
| 2022 | 17 | 17 |
| 2023 | 14 | 14 |
| 2024 | 17 | 17 |
| 2025 | 14 | 14 |
Charles Ellis Cross Family
Family Background and Racing Lineage
While specific details about Charles Ellis Cross’s family background beyond his birthplace are not extensively documented in public sources, his journey from Laurel, Mississippi, to NFL stardom represents a personal achievement rooted in his commitment to excellence. The decision to decommit from Florida State and choose Mississippi State demonstrated an independent mindset that has characterized his approach throughout his career.
Personal Life
Cross maintains a presence on social media with the handle @charlesc_67 on X (formerly Twitter), where he engages with fans and shares updates about his career. He has demonstrated throughout his career a proactive approach to his business affairs, notably acting as his own agent during his rookie contract negotiations with the Seahawks. This independence and attention to detail have extended to his football performance, where he has continuously worked to refine his technique and establish himself among the NFL’s elite at his position.
2025 Season Performance
The 2025 NFL season marked another significant chapter in Charles Ellis Cross’s career with the Seattle Seahawks. Having secured the fifth-year option on his contract earlier in the year, the Seahawks continued to rely on Cross as their starting left tackle and primary protector of whoever quarterbacked their offense. His performance throughout the season reinforced his status as one of the most consistent and reliable offensive tackles in the league.
Cross appeared in 14 games during the 2025 season, continuing his streak of substantial playing time and demonstrating the durability that had become a hallmark of his professional career. The Seahawks’ offensive line, anchored by Cross at left tackle, provided stable protection and created running lanes for the team’s ground game. His communication with coaches and fellow linemen contributed to the unit’s overall cohesion and effectiveness throughout the campaign.
Looking ahead, the future appears exceptionally bright for Charles Ellis Cross. Following his contract extension and Super Bowl championship, he has positioned himself as a cornerstone of the Seahawks’ organization for years to come. His combination of youth, talent, and proven performance at the NFL level makes him a vital component of Seattle’s plans as the team aims to build upon its championship foundation. The 2026 season and beyond will likely see Cross continue his ascent as one of the premier offensive tackles in professional football.