Kelvin Beachum Bio
Kelvin Lee Beachum Jr. is an American professional football offensive tackle who currently plays for the Arizona Cardinals of the National Football League. Born on June 8, 1989, in Mexia, Texas, Beachum has built a durable and respected career spanning multiple NFL teams. He is widely recognized for his consistency as a starter, having logged over 160 career starts across more than 180 games played. Beyond his on-field contributions, Beachum has established himself as a prominent leader within the NFL Players Association and has been honored multiple times for his community service efforts.
Early Life and Background
Kelvin Lee Beachum Jr. grew up in Mexia, Texas, where he attended Mexia High School. During his time at Mexia, Beachum developed his skills as an offensive lineman, laying the foundation for his future football career. His performance in high school earned him recognition as a talented prospect heading into college.
After graduating from Mexia High School, Beachum pursued higher education at Southern Methodist University in Dallas, Texas. He enrolled at SMU in 2007 and quickly earned a spot as a starter on the football team. His development during these formative years would set the stage for his transition to professional football.
Path to the NFL
Beachum played offensive left tackle at Southern Methodist University, where he became a four-year starter for the SMU Mustangs. His consistent performance over four seasons caught the attention of NFL scouts and analysts. He also competed in the NFLPA Collegiate Bowl, further showcasing his abilities against top college prospects.
Coming out of college, Beachum was projected by most analysts to be selected in the seventh round of the NFL Draft or potentially as a priority undrafted free agent. Scouts noted his lateral movement and quickness off the ball, though some expressed concerns about his height relative to typical NFL offensive tackle standards. He was ranked as the 24th best offensive guard in his draft class despite playing tackle in college. Beachum participated in the NFL Combine and completed all positional workouts, demonstrating his athleticism to NFL teams.
Kelvin Beachum Career
Pittsburgh Steelers (2012–2015)
The Pittsburgh Steelers selected Beachum in the seventh round with the 248th overall pick in the 2012 NFL Draft. He was the 20th and final offensive tackle taken in that draft and signed a four-year, $2.14 million contract with the team in May 2012. Beachum entered training camp competing with Max Starks, Marcus Gilbert, Mike Adams, and Chris Scott for playing time at offensive tackle.
Beachum made his professional debut on September 23, 2012, against the Oakland Raiders. He earned his first career start at right tackle in November 2012 after Marcus Gilbert was placed on injured reserve with torn tendons in his ankle. He finished his rookie season with five starts in seven games played.
In 2013, Beachum competed for the vacant left tackle position after Starks departed the team. He began the season as a backup but earned his first start in the season opener against the Tennessee Titans. During a Week 6 matchup against the Titans, Beachum was named the starting left tackle and held that role for the remainder of the season, finishing with 12 starts in 15 games.
Beachum entered the 2014 season as the Steelers de facto starting left tackle and started all 16 regular season games. He was ranked as the fifth best left tackle by Pro Football Focus and earned a +21.7 overall grade from PFF, ranking third in pass blocking efficiency among all tackles that season. His strong performance positioned him as a valuable asset on Pittsburgh’s offensive line.
In 2015, Beachum began the season as the starting left tackle while in the final year of his rookie contract. He suffered a significant injury on October 18, 2015, tearing his left anterior cruciate ligament during a victory over the Arizona Cardinals. The injury ended his season and he was placed on injured reserve. During his time with the Steelers, Beachum appeared in 44 games with 39 starts.
Jacksonville Jaguars (2016)
Following his injury and subsequent free agency, Beachum met with multiple teams including the New York Jets, Seattle Seahawks, and Jacksonville Jaguars during the 2016 offseason. On March 15, 2016, he signed a one-year contract with the Jacksonville Jaguars worth $5 million with a four-year, $40 million option. He competed with Luke Joeckel for the starting left tackle position during training camp and was named the starter to begin the regular season.
Beachum made his Jaguars debut in the season-opening loss to the Green Bay Packers. He suffered a concussion in Week 2 against the San Diego Chargers and missed one game before returning. He started 15 games during the 2016 season but faced challenges, surrendering 49 quarterback pressures, which ranked among the most by any offensive tackle that year. He received a 44.3 PFF production grade for the season. In February 2017, the Jaguars declined his four-year option, making him a free agent.
New York Jets (2017–2019)
On March 10, 2017, Beachum signed a three-year contract worth $24 million with the New York Jets, including $12 million guaranteed and a $4.5 million signing bonus. He immediately entered competition for the starting left tackle position left vacant after Ryan Clady’s departure. Head coach Todd Bowles named Beachum the starter to begin the regular season.
Beachum started all 16 games for the Jets during the 2017 season and performed at a solid level, earning a 72.7 overall grade from Pro Football Focus. This represented a significant improvement over the Jets previous left tackle Ryan Clady, who had received a 47.2 grade the prior season. Beachum continued to start games for the Jets through the 2019 season.
Arizona Cardinals (2020–Present)
Beachum joined the Arizona Cardinals on July 17, 2020, signing a one-year contract. He immediately contributed as the starting right tackle, starting all 16 games during the 2020 season. His veteran presence and reliability strengthened Arizona’s offensive line.
The Cardinals valued Beachum’s contributions and signed him to a two-year contract extension worth $4 million in March 2021. He continued his solid performance through the 2022 season, providing stability on the right side of the offensive line.
In March 2023, Beachum agreed to another two-year contract extension worth $5.15 million, keeping him with the Cardinals through the 2025 season. On April 3, 2025, he signed a one-year contract to continue his career with Arizona, demonstrating the organization’s continued confidence in his abilities as he entered his 14th NFL season.
Playing Style and Strengths
Beachum is known for his consistency and reliability as an offensive tackle. His lateral movement and quickness off the ball have been cited by scouts as key strengths throughout his career. Despite concerns about his height coming out of college, he has proven capable of handling both left and right tackle positions at the professional level. His experience spanning over a decade has allowed him to adapt to different schemes and teammates while maintaining steady performance.
Notable Events and Milestones
Throughout his career, Beachum has achieved several notable milestones. His selection as a fifth-round starter in 2014, when he earned a top-five ranking among NFL left tackles, represented a breakthrough in his professional career. The 2015 ACL injury served as a significant setback, but he demonstrated resilience by continuing his NFL career through 2025. As of Week 5 of the 2025 season, Beachum has appeared in 184 career games with 162 starts, showcasing remarkable durability over his extended career.
Kelvin Beachum Career Wins
Beachum has accumulated extensive experience as a starter across his NFL career, with over 160 career starts at the offensive tackle position spanning four teams over 13 seasons. His most productive seasons came during his time with the Pittsburgh Steelers, where he earned recognition as one of the top left tackles in the league.
Pittsburgh Steelers Highlights
During his four seasons with the Steelers, Beachum appeared in 44 games with 39 starts. His best season came in 2014 when he started all 16 games and was ranked as the fifth-best left tackle by Pro Football Focus. He earned a +21.7 overall grade and finished third in the league in pass blocking efficiency. His 2013 season also saw him start 12 games while earning the starting left tackle role mid-season.
Other Career Performance Notes
Beachum has been a consistent starter wherever he has played, starting 15 games with the Jaguars in 2016 and all 16 games in each of his seasons with the Jets in 2017 and his first season with the Cardinals in 2020. His ability to stay healthy and perform at a starter level into his mid-30s represents a significant achievement in the demanding NFL offensive line position.
| Team | Games Played | Games Started |
|---|---|---|
| Pittsburgh Steelers | 44 | 39 |
| Jacksonville Jaguars | 15 | 15 |
| New York Jets | 48 | 48 |
| Arizona Cardinals | 77 | 60 |
Kelvin Beachum Family
Family Background and Racing Lineage
While Beachum does not come from a family with professional sports or racing lineage, he has built his own legacy through his football career. His journey from a small-town Texas high school to the NFL represents a notable achievement for his family.
Personal Life
Kelvin Beachum is married to Jessica Beachum. Together, they have three children. Beachum has spoken publicly about his Christian faith, which provides him with foundation and perspective throughout his professional career. His commitment to his family and values has been a consistent theme in his public life.
Beachum is actively involved in charitable work and community service. He serves as an advisory board member of the National Football League Players Association, joining as an inaugural member of the board in 2016. His community involvement has been recognized with the NFL Players Association Community MVP Award, which he has won a record five times. He supports organizations including Bread for the World, Feeding America, and World Vision, reflecting his commitment to addressing food insecurity and supporting those in need.
In 2017, Beachum appeared on an episode of the HGTV program Fixer Upper, where he helped his parents with their new home purchase by contributing an additional $100,000 for their renovation budget on a $130,000 house. This appearance showcased his generosity and commitment to supporting his family.
2025 Season Performance
Entering the 2025 season, Beachum continues his tenure with the Arizona Cardinals as a veteran presence on the offensive line. Now in his 14th NFL season, Beachum signed a one-year contract extension in April 2025 to remain with the team. As of Week 5 of the 2025 season, he has appeared in 184 career games with 162 starts across his time with the Steelers, Jaguars, Jets, and Cardinals.
The Cardinals coaching staff values Beachum’s experience and consistency as they build their team around a mix of veteran leadership and younger talent. His ability to mentor younger offensive linemen while maintaining his own performance level makes him a valuable asset to Arizona’s roster.
Looking ahead, Beachum’s continued presence in the NFL demonstrates the longevity possible for offensive linemen who maintain their craft and health. His career trajectory from a seventh-round draft pick to a durable NFL starter represents a successful professional journey. The 2025 season offers Beachum the opportunity to add to his impressive career totals while contributing to the Cardinals’ competitive efforts in the NFC.