Tyler Robert Mabry is an American professional football tight end who played in the National Football League (NFL) for six seasons. Born on November 21, 1996, in Ypsilanti, Michigan, Mabry went undrafted in 2020 before signing with the Seattle Seahawks. He spent four seasons with Seattle, appearing in 15 games and scoring his first NFL touchdown against the New York Jets in January 2023. Mabry later joined the Carolina Panthers in 2025 before retiring from professional football.
Tyler Mabry Bio
Tyler Mabry grew up in Ypsilanti, Michigan, where he developed his passion for football during his formative years. He attended IMG Academy in Bradenton, Florida, for his high school career, a program known for developing elite athletes. Mabry’s combination of size and athleticism made him a promising prospect at the tight end position. After high school, he pursued collegiate football at the University at Buffalo before transferring to the University of Maryland for his final season of eligibility.
Early Life and Background
Mabry was born and raised in Ypsilanti, Michigan, a city with a rich football tradition. His early exposure to the sport helped him develop the fundamentals that would later define his playing style. He attended IMG Academy, one of the nation’s premier sports academies, where he refined his skills as a tight end and emerged as a Division I prospect.
Path to American Football
Mabry began his collegiate career at the University at Buffalo, where he redshirted his true freshman season. As a redshirt junior in 2018, he became a key contributor for the Bulls, catching 27 passes for 230 yards and two touchdowns. His standout performance earned him first-team All-Mid-American Conference honors. Seeking a new challenge, Mabry transferred to the University of Maryland as a graduate transfer for his final season of NCAA eligibility. At Maryland, he started all 12 games and recorded 13 receptions for 155 yards and three touchdowns, demonstrating his ability to contribute at the Power Five level.
Tyler Mabry Career
Early Career (2020)
Mabry entered the NFL as an undrafted free agent, signing with the Seattle Seahawks on May 4, 2020. He was waived during final roster cuts on September 5, 2020, but was signed to the Seahawks practice squad the following day. Mabry spent his entire rookie season on the practice squad, using the year to adapt to the speed and complexity of professional football while working to refine his technique.
Seattle Seahawks Era (2020–2024)
Mabry signed a reserve/futures contract with the Seahawks on January 11, 2021, indicating the team’s confidence in his potential. However, his tenure continued to follow a familiar pattern of roster fluctuation. He was waived at the end of the 2021 preseason on August 31 and re-signed to the practice squad on September 1. The Seahawks promoted him to the active roster on September 6, 2021, before waiving him again on November 12 and re-signing him to the practice squad. He earned another promotion to the active roster on January 8, 2022.
This pattern continued into the 2022 season. Mabry was waived on August 30, 2022, and signed to the practice squad the following day. He was promoted to the active roster on December 31, 2022, and made an immediate impact by scoring his first NFL touchdown the next day. On a seven-yard reception from Geno Smith in the second quarter of a game against the New York Jets, Mabry found the end zone for the first time in his professional career. The Seahawks signed him to the active roster on January 4, 2023, securing his services for the following season.
Throughout 2023 and 2024, Mabry continued to battle for a roster spot with Seattle. He was waived and re-signed to the practice squad multiple times, demonstrating the precarious nature of life as a depth player in the NFL. He was eventually promoted to the active roster on November 16, 2024, after spending time on the practice squad. The Seahawks waived Mabry on August 27, 2024, but he returned to the practice squad before earning another promotion later that season.
Carolina Panthers Era (2025)
On July 22, 2025, Mabry signed with the Carolina Panthers, joining a new organization for the 2025 season. However, his tenure was cut short when he was placed on injured reserve on August 18, 2025. He was released by the Panthers a week later, concluding his time with the franchise. Mabry announced his retirement from professional football in May 2026, concluding a six-season NFL career.
Driving Style and Strengths
Mabry carved out a role in the NFL primarily as a blocking tight end, a vital position in both running and passing situations. His 6-foot-3, 247-pound frame allowed him to match up effectively against defensive linemen and linebackers. When targeted in the passing game, Mabry demonstrated reliable hands and the ability to make contested catches. His collegiate success at both Buffalo and Maryland highlighted his versatility as a receiver and blocker, though his NFL opportunities were limited.
Notable Events and Milestones
The defining moment of Mabry’s NFL career came on January 1, 2023, when he scored his first professional touchdown. Facing the New York Jets, Mabry caught a seven-yard pass from Geno Smith in the second quarter, giving the Seahawks a 10-3 lead. The touchdown marked the culmination of years of perseverance through the Seahawks’ practice squad roster carousel. His career statistics include one reception for seven yards and one touchdown across his six NFL seasons.
Tyler Mabry Career Wins
Mabry appeared in 15 games throughout his six NFL seasons, all with the Seattle Seahawks. His professional career was defined more by perseverance than statistical accumulation, as he fought through multiple roster transactions to establish himself in the league.
Seattle Seahawks Highlights
His most significant career highlight came in the season finale of the 2022 NFL campaign against the New York Jets. Mabry’s first NFL touchdown on a seven-yard reception from Geno Smith represented a breakthrough moment for the undrafted tight end. The score gave Seattle a temporary lead and provided Mabry with a memorable achievement to celebrate after years of dedication. Beyond this highlight, Mabry contributed primarily on special teams and as a depth player at the tight end position.
Other Wins and Performances
At the collegiate level, Mabry achieved notable success. His first-team All-MAC selection in 2018 with Buffalo recognized his impact as a playmaker. His transition to Maryland as a graduate transfer further demonstrated his ability to compete at the highest collegiate level, starting all 12 games and contributing three touchdowns in his lone season with the Terrapins.
Tyler Mabry Family
Family Background and Racing Lineage
No publicly available information indicates that Mabry comes from a family with professional sports lineage.
Personal Life
Mabry is married to Yemisi Ogunleye, who achieved international recognition by winning a gold medal in the women’s shot put at the Paris 2024 Olympic Games. Ogunleye’s success as an Olympic champion represents a remarkable achievement in track and field, complementing Mabry’s professional football career.
2025 Season Performance
The 2025 season marked a new chapter for Mabry as he signed with the Carolina Panthers on July 22, 2025. Joining a rebuilding Panthers franchise offered Mabry an opportunity to compete for a roster spot in a new environment. However, his tenure took an unexpected turn when he was placed on injured reserve on August 18, 2025. The Panthers released him a week later, effectively ending his 2025 campaign before it truly began. The injury and subsequent release prompted Mabry to reassess his football future, ultimately leading to his retirement announcement in May 2026. After six seasons in the NFL, Mabry concluded his professional football career having contributed primarily as a depth tight end and special teams player for the Seattle Seahawks.