Kyle Hergel Bio
Kyle Hergel is a Canadian professional American football guard who currently plays for the Chicago Bears of the National Football League (NFL). Born on October 7, 1999, in Toronto, Ontario, Hergel began his collegiate career at North Dakota before transferring to Texas State and ultimately finishing at Boston College. After going undrafted in the 2024 NFL Draft, he signed with the New Orleans Saints and has since established himself as a reliable offensive lineman. Hergel was also selected by the Saskatchewan Roughriders in the 2024 Canadian Football League (CFL) Draft, highlighting his dual eligibility across both major North American football leagues.
Early Life and Background
Hergel grew up in Mississauga, Ontario, Canada, and attended Clarkson Secondary School where he served as team captain. Despite his leadership role in high school, he did not receive any Division I college football offers. This setback led him to initially commit to New Mexico Military Institute before receiving a last-minute opportunity from the North Dakota Fighting Hawks, which he accepted.
At North Dakota, Hergel redshirted during the 2018 season, appearing in just one game. However, he worked his way into the starting lineup and became a starter in 2019. His physical playing style and aggressive approach to the game quickly became his trademark, with Hergel later describing his biggest strength as his “nastiness” and taking pride in being the meanest player on the field.
Path to American Football
Hergel redshirted his first year at North Dakota in 2018, appearing in only one game. He became a starter in 2019 and had a breakout season, starting all 12 games at right guard. His performance earned him recognition as the FCS Independent Newcomer of the Year. He started the first five games of the 2020-21 season before entering the NCAA transfer portal, seeking a new opportunity to continue his football career at a different program.
Following his transfer from North Dakota, Hergel joined the Texas State Bobcats for the 2021 season. He immediately made an impact, starting all 12 games primarily at right guard and earning honorable mention All-Sun Belt Conference honors. His leadership qualities were recognized when he was named a team captain entering the 2022 season. During his senior year at Texas State, he started all 12 games and earned first-team All-Conference recognition from Pro Football Focus, solidifying his reputation as one of the top offensive linemen in the conference.
For his final collegiate season in 2023, Hergel transferred to the Boston College Eagles. He continued his consistent performance, starting all 13 games and earning honorable mention All-Atlantic Coast Conference honors. Throughout his five-year collegiate career spanning three programs, Hergel accumulated 54 starts while allowing only five sacks on 1,774 pass-blocking snaps, demonstrating exceptional protection skills. His standout college career earned him an invitation to the 2024 East-West Shrine Bowl, where top NFL prospects showcase their abilities.
Kyle Hergel Career
New Orleans Saints (2024)
Despite a productive college career, Hergel went unselected in the 2024 NFL Draft. He signed with the New Orleans Saints as an undrafted free agent, earning an opportunity to compete for a roster spot. Simultaneously, he was selected by the Saskatchewan Roughriders with the third overall pick in the 2024 CFL Draft, though he chose to pursue his NFL career first.
Hergel faced the typical challenges of an undrafted rookie, being waived and re-signed to the practice squad multiple times during his first season. He was elevated to the active roster for the Week 4 matchup against the Atlanta Falcons and made his NFL debut in the 26-24 loss, appearing on four special teams snaps. Hergel continued to work his way up the roster, eventually being promoted to the active roster on November 30. He concluded his rookie season with the Saints, appearing in eight NFL games overall.
Chicago Bears (2025-Present)
Following his rookie season with the Saints, Hergel was waived by New Orleans on August 25, 2025. He quickly found a new opportunity, signing with the Chicago Bears practice squad on November 4, 2025. This move provided him with a fresh start and continued opportunity to develop his skills at the NFL level.
On January 20, 2026, Hergel signed a reserve/futures contract with the Bears, securing his place on the team for the following season. This contract signaled the organization’s confidence in his abilities and provided him with a stable foundation to continue his professional career. Hergel wears jersey number 60 for the Chicago Bears.
Playing Style and Strengths
Hergel is known for his physical and aggressive playing style along the offensive line. Throughout his career, he has taken pride in being a dominant force in the trenches, describing his “nastiness” as his biggest strength. His consistency is evident in his collegiate career, where he allowed only five sacks across 1,774 pass-blocking snaps. His versatility comes from successfully transitioning across three different college programs, demonstrating his ability to adapt to various offensive systems and coaching styles. His experience as a team captain at Clarkson Secondary School and Texas State highlights his leadership qualities.
Notable Career Milestones
Hergel achieved several significant milestones during his collegiate career, including being named FCS Independent Newcomer of the Year in 2019 and earning first-team All-Conference honors from Pro Football Focus in 2022. His selection to the 2024 East-West Shrine Bowl provided valuable exposure to NFL scouts. On the professional level, his NFL debut against the Atlanta Falcons marked the beginning of his professional career, and his journey through multiple practice squad elevations demonstrated his resilience and determination to remain in the league.
Kyle Hergel Career Wins
Throughout his collegiate and professional career, Hergel has accumulated significant experience and achievements at the offensive guard position across multiple programs and leagues.
College Football Highlights
During his collegiate career at three different programs, Hergel started 54 games at right guard, showcasing remarkable durability and consistency. At North Dakota in 2019, he was named FCS Independent Newcomer of the Year after starting all 12 games. His tenure at Texas State from 2021 to 2022 saw him earn honorable mention All-Sun Belt Conference in 2021 and first-team All-Conference honors from Pro Football Focus in 2022. At Boston College in 2023, he earned honorable mention All-ACC recognition. His performance throughout college demonstrated elite pass-blocking ability, allowing just five sacks on 1,774 snaps.
Professional Football Highlights
As a professional, Hergel appeared in eight NFL games during his rookie season with the New Orleans Saints in 2024. His debut came against the Atlanta Falcons in Week 4. He has also maintained his connection to Canadian football through his selection by the Saskatchewan Roughriders with the third overall pick in the 2024 CFL Draft. Hergel continues to develop his professional career with the Chicago Bears organization.
| Competition Level | Games Started | Notable Honors |
|---|---|---|
| College Football | 54 starts | FCS Newcomer of the Year, All-Conference honors |
| NFL | 8 games played | NFL debut (2024) |
Kyle Hergel Family
Family Background and Racing Lineage
Specific details about Kyle Hergel’s family background are not publicly available. The publicly known information indicates he was born in Toronto, Ontario, Canada, and grew up in Mississauga. His parents and family lineage in sports have not been widely reported in available sources.
Personal Life
Hergel resides in the United States while pursuing his professional football career. He graduated from Clarkson Secondary School in Mississauga before embarking on his collegiate football journey across three programs. Information regarding his marital status, spouse, or children is not publicly available. His professional career continues with the Chicago Bears organization as he works to establish himself in the NFL.
2025 Season Performance
The 2025 season marked a transitional year for Hergel in his professional career. After beginning the season with the New Orleans Saints organization, he was waived on August 25, 2025, creating an opportunity to join another franchise. Hergel responded by signing with the Chicago Bears practice squad on November 4, 2025, demonstrating his resilience and ability to quickly find opportunities despite roster changes.
Throughout the 2025 season, Hergel’s experience from his rookie year proved valuable as he navigated the challenges of being a professional offensive lineman. His journey from the Saints to the Bears exemplified the volatility and competitive nature of NFL roster management. The Bears organization recognized his potential and skill set, signing him to a reserve/futures contract on January 20, 2026, ensuring he would remain part of their plans moving forward.
Hergel’s trajectory shows a player who has demonstrated the ability to overcome setbacks throughout his career, from lack of Division I offers out of high school to going undrafted in the NFL. His determination to continue pursuing his NFL dream, even after being waived multiple times, reflects his character and commitment to the sport. As he enters the 2026 season with the Chicago Bears, Hergel aims to build on his experience and establish himself as a reliable depth piece along the offensive line.