Chase Cota Bio
Chase Cota is an American professional football wide receiver who has played for multiple NFL franchises since entering the league as an undrafted free agent in 2023. Standing at 6 feet 3 inches and weighing 200 pounds, Cota has built his career on his collegiate experience at UCLA and Oregon, where he established himself as a reliable target with impressive yard-per-reception averages. His journey through the professional ranks has taken him from the Detroit Lions to the Kansas City Chiefs, Houston Texans, New York Giants, and Cleveland Browns before taking his talents overseas to Japan. Cota carries a unique football legacy as the son of former NFL player Chad Cota and cousin of NFL safety Brady Breeze.
Early Life and Background
Chase Cota was born on November 9, 1999, in Medford, Oregon, United States. He grew up immersed in football culture, drawing inspiration from his father Chad Cota, who played in the NFL. This family connection provided Cota with early exposure to the sport and valuable insights into what it takes to compete at the highest levels of football. The athletic genes clearly ran strong in the Cota family, setting the foundation for Chase’s future career.
Cota attended South Medford High School in Medford, Oregon, where he began developing the skills that would carry him to the collegiate level. His high school performance laid the groundwork for his pursuit of football at the major college program level, demonstrating the potential that college scouts would later recognize.
Path to American Football
After graduating from South Medford High School, Cota took his talents to the University of California, Los Angeles, where he joined the UCLA Bruins football program in 2018. His freshman year proved he belonged at the major college level, as he appeared in all 12 games and was one of only a few freshmen on the offense to achieve that feat, recording 13 receptions for 168 yards. This early success established him as a player the coaching staff could rely upon.
His sophomore season in 2019 saw Cota make a significant jump in production. Playing in all 12 games with 10 starts, he recorded 25 receptions for 350 yards and three touchdowns, showcasing his ability to be a consistent offensive weapon. His 14.0 yards-per-reception average ranked second-highest on the team, demonstrating his deep-threat capability. The 2020 season was shortened due to the COVID-19 pandemic, but Cota still managed 11 receptions for 79 yards and two touchdowns in seven games. During his senior year in 2021, he appeared in all 12 games with 10 starts, catching 18 passes for 286 yards and one touchdown while placing second on the team in yards per catch with an impressive 15.9-yard average.
On February 18, 2022, Cota announced his transfer to the University of Oregon, the same college his father Chad Cota had attended. This transfer represented both a homecoming and an opportunity to further develop his skills in the Pac-12 Conference. During his fifth-year senior season in 2022, he played in 10 of Oregon’s 13 games with nine starts, recording 36 receptions for 497 yards and a career-high three touchdowns. He sustained a season-ending injury on October 29, 2022, against California, which caused him to miss the next three games. At the time of his injury, he was the team’s second-leading receiver with 313 yards. Following the season, Cota earned All-Pac-12 Conference honorable mention recognition. Across his entire college career spanning 53 games, he accumulated 103 receptions for 1,380 yards and nine touchdowns.
Chase Cota Career
Detroit Lions (2023)
On May 12, 2023, Cota signed a three-year, $2.71 million contract with the Detroit Lions as an undrafted free agent, proving that teams saw value in his collegiate production despite not hearing his name called during the draft. He made his professional debut in the preseason on August 11, 2023, against the New York Giants, where he led the team with four receptions on seven targets for 60 yards, demonstrating his ability to contribute immediately at the professional level. However, the Lions waived him on August 29, 2023, ending his tenure with the franchise after a brief but promising showing.
Kansas City Chiefs and Houston Texans (2023)
Following his release from Detroit, Cota signed with the Kansas City Chiefs practice squad on September 26, 2023, joining the Super Bowl-contending organization. He spent time developing within their system before being released on December 5, 2023. Later that same month, on December 12, 2023, Cota signed with the Houston Texans practice squad, where he joined his cousin Brady Breeze on the roster. The familial connection created an interesting storyline as the two relatives competed at the professional level. Cota was not signed to a reserve/future contract after the season concluded, making him a free agent when his practice squad contract expired.
New York Giants (2024)
On January 23, 2024, Cota signed a reserve/future contract with the New York Giants, providing him an opportunity to compete for a spot on the active roster heading into the 2024 season. Unfortunately, his season took a significant turn when he suffered a fractured collarbone during minicamp on June 18, resulting in his placement on injured reserve. The injury abruptly ended his early-season hopes before they could fully materialize. The Giants released Cota on September 13, 2024, as he continued his recovery from the serious shoulder injury.
Cleveland Browns (2025)
After recovering from his injury, Cota signed with the Cleveland Browns on July 31, 2025, adding depth to their receiving corps. He was waived on August 12, but the Browns brought him back on August 21. Unfortunately, he was waived again five days later as part of the team’s final roster cuts, ending his brief tenure with the organization. The Browns’ decision indicated they were trimming their roster to meet league requirements, though Cota’s journey in professional football continued.
Driving Style and Strengths
While not a quarterback, Cota’s value as a wide receiver stems from his combination of size, speed, and route-running ability. His 6-foot-3 frame allows him to win contested catches and be a red-zone threat, while his collegiate yards-per-reception averages demonstrated his ability to stretch defenses vertically. His experience playing in multiple offensive systems at UCLA and Oregon shows his versatility and adaptability to different playbooks and team philosophies.
Notable Events and Milestones
Cota’s professional career has been marked by transitions and adaptability. His preseason debut with the Lions, where he led the team in receptions, established that he could compete immediately at the professional level. The injury suffered with the Giants in 2024 represented a significant setback, but his ability to return and sign with the Browns demonstrated his resilience and determination to continue pursuing his NFL dreams. Each team move has presented opportunities for growth and learning.
Chase Cota Career Wins
While individual statistics and wins are traditionally measured differently for receivers compared to quarterbacks or defensive players, Cota has demonstrated his value through consistent production at the collegiate level and promising glimpses during his professional appearances. His college career statistics of 103 receptions for 1,380 yards and nine touchdowns across 53 games provide a solid foundation for his professional aspirations.
College Career Highlights
Cota’s most productive season came during his transfer year at Oregon in 2022, where he recorded 36 receptions for 497 yards and three touchdowns in just 10 games. His 15.9 yards-per-reception average during his senior year at UCLA demonstrated his big-play ability. The All-Pac-12 Conference honorable mention recognition he received following his Oregon season represented official acknowledgment of his contributions at the major college level. His career totals of 103 receptions for 1,380 yards and nine touchdowns showcase consistency throughout his five years of college football.
Professional Career Highlights
During his preseason debut with the Detroit Lions on August 11, 2023, Cota led the team with four receptions on seven targets for 60 yards, immediately demonstrating his ability to compete at the professional level. This performance provided a glimpse of his potential value to NFL teams seeking receiving depth.
Chase Cota Family
Family Background and Racing Lineage
Chase Cota comes from a distinguished football family, with his father Chad Cota having played professionally in the NFL. This family legacy provided Chase with early exposure to the sport and valuable mentorship from someone who understood the demands of playing at the highest level. The football tradition continued when Chase transferred to the University of Oregon, the same institution his father had attended, creating a meaningful connection between generations of the Cota family at the collegiate level.
Beyond his father, Chase also has family connections in professional football through his cousin Brady Breeze, who is an NFL safety. The cousins briefly played together on the Houston Texans practice squad in December 2023, representing a rare instance of siblings or cousins competing on the same professional team. This family connection has provided Chase with additional support and perspective throughout his football journey.
Personal Life
Off the field, Cota maintains a presence on social media, where he connects with fans through his Instagram and X (formerly Twitter) accounts under the handle @ccota_. As a native of Medford, Oregon, he maintains his connection to his home state while pursuing his professional football career. His journey from Medford to UCLA, then Oregon, and through multiple NFL franchises demonstrates his commitment to succeeding at the highest level of American football.
2025 Season Performance
The 2025 season marked another chapter in Chase Cota’s professional football journey as he joined the Cleveland Browns organization. Signing on July 31, 2025, Cota competed for a spot on the Browns’ roster during training camp, showcasing his skills and experience to the coaching staff. The competitive nature of NFL roster construction meant that every practice and preseason appearance carried significant weight in the decision-making process.
After being initially waived on August 12, the Browns brought Cota back on August 21, demonstrating their continued interest in his abilities. However, he was waived again five days later as part of final roster cuts, indicating the difficult decisions teams face when constructing their 53-player rosters. This series of roster moves highlighted the volatility of professional football careers, especially for players seeking to establish themselves as consistent contributors at the NFL level.
Despite the challenges of the 2025 season, Cota’s journey continued following his time with the Browns. His career trajectory demonstrates the resilience required to pursue professional football, where roster spots are limited and competition is fierce. Each opportunity represents a chance to prove one’s value, and Cota’s willingness to continue pursuing his dreams reflects his dedication to the sport.