Matt Waletzko Bio
Matt Waletzko (born December 15, 1999) is an American professional football offensive tackle currently with the Kansas City Chiefs of the National Football League (NFL). He played college football at the University of North Dakota, where he developed into a highly regarded offensive lineman before entering the NFL in 2022.
Early Life and Background
Matt Waletzko was born in Cold Spring, Minnesota. He attended Rocori High School, where he was a two-way player as a senior, showcasing his versatility on the football field. His early exposure to football in Minnesota laid the foundation for his future career as an offensive lineman.
Path to American Football
Waletzko played college football for the North Dakota Fighting Hawks. As a true freshman, he appeared in nine games and started the final five at left tackle after his redshirt designation was removed. Despite suffering a season-ending knee injury during his sophomore year, he returned to start all seven games in the shortened 2021 season, earning second-team All-Missouri Valley Football Conference honors. His senior season was marked by a first-team All-MVFC selection, highlighting his development and consistency on the offensive line.
Matt Waletzko Career
Early Career (2022–Present)
Waletzko was selected by the Dallas Cowboys in the fifth round (155th overall) of the 2022 NFL Draft. The Cowboys acquired this pick through a trade involving Amari Cooper. He competed for the reserve swing tackle position but suffered a shoulder subluxation early in training camp, which required surgery and limited his preseason participation. During his rookie season, he primarily contributed on special teams and saw limited offensive snaps. Waletzko again faced shoulder issues that led to him being placed on injured reserve in October 2022.
In the 2023 season, he was placed on injured reserve at the start but was activated late in the year. He appeared in one game as a backup and was inactive for several contests. The 2024 season saw him appear in seven games mainly on special teams, with ten games inactive. In 2025, Waletzko was moved to offensive guard during the preseason but was waived/injured by the Cowboys in August.
Minnesota Vikings and Kansas City Chiefs Era (2025–Present)
Waletzko signed with the Minnesota Vikings’ practice squad in late September 2025 but was released a week later. Shortly thereafter, in December 2025, he joined the Kansas City Chiefs’ practice squad, marking the latest chapter in his professional career.
Driving Style and Strengths
Waletzko’s size and technique as an offensive tackle have been key to his role protecting quarterbacks and opening running lanes. His ability to play both tackle and guard positions adds versatility to his skill set, although injuries have impacted his continuity on the field.
Notable Events and Milestones
Waletzko’s collegiate accolades include first-team and second-team All-MVFC honors, reflecting his impact at the University of North Dakota. His NFL journey has been marked by perseverance through injuries and transitions between teams.
Matt Waletzko Career Wins
As an offensive lineman, Waletzko’s contributions are measured more by team offensive success than individual wins. His college career featured strong offensive line performances that ranked highly nationally in fewest sacks allowed and negative plays.
College Highlights
Waletzko started multiple seasons at left tackle for the North Dakota Fighting Hawks, earning second-team All-MVFC in 2020 and first-team All-MVFC in 2021. His offensive line helped lead the Football Championship Subdivision in protecting the quarterback and minimizing negative plays.
Other Wins & Performances
Waletzko’s role in the offensive line contributed to team successes at North Dakota, though no individual awards or professional wins have been recorded to date.
Matt Waletzko Family
Family Background and Racing Lineage
There is no publicly available information regarding Matt Waletzko’s family background or any athletic lineage.
Personal Life
Details about Waletzko’s personal life, including marital status and children, have not been publicly disclosed.
2025 Season Performance
In 2025, Matt Waletzko experienced a challenging season marked by a position change to offensive guard and being waived/injured by the Dallas Cowboys. He briefly joined the Minnesota Vikings’ practice squad before signing with the Kansas City Chiefs’ practice squad later in the year. His role remains primarily as a depth player, with opportunities to contribute on special teams and provide versatility on the offensive line. The season reflects ongoing efforts to establish a stable position in the NFL amid injury setbacks and team transitions.