Anthony Paul Firkser Bio
Anthony Paul Firkser is an American professional football tight end who has played for multiple NFL franchises since entering the league as an undrafted free agent in 2017. Born in Englishtown, New Jersey, Firkser attended Manalapan High School before playing college football for the Harvard Crimson from 2013 to 2016. He has built a reputation as a reliable depth tight end and special teams player throughout his professional career.
Early Life and Background
Anthony Paul Firkser was born on February 19, 1995, in Englishtown, New Jersey. He grew up in Manalapan Township and was raised in a Jewish household. Firkser and his family were members of Temple Shaari Emeth in Manalapan, where he celebrated his bar mitzvah. His father is Alex Firkser and his mother is Donna Firkser.
Firkser was a multi-sport athlete at Manalapan High School. In basketball, he played point guard and averaged 21.3 points per game with 7.6 assists per game. Firkser finished his high school basketball career second in school history with 1,362 points. In his senior year, the Shore Basketball Coaches named him the Shore Conference Co-Player of the Year. He was also named the Shore Conference A North Division Offensive Player of the Year and made the all-state team.
Firkser also represented the United States at the 2013 Maccabiah Games in Israel as a guard for the 18-and-under gold medal-winning Team USA basketball team. He played alongside Spencer Weisz on that team.
Path to American Football
Unlike many NFL players, Firkser did not begin playing football until his sophomore year of high school. Despite his late start, he quickly made an impact. During his three-year high school football career, the Manalapan football team went 30-6 and won three consecutive A North Division titles. During one stretch, Manalapan had an 18-game winning streak within the division.
While at Manalapan, Firkser set career school records in receptions (110), receiving yards (2,118) and touchdown receptions (19). After his senior year, he was named All-Shore Offensive Player of the Year as a senior wide receiver. He was also a two-time All-Shore first-team selection.
Firkser was recruited by Harvard University and four other universities. He committed to play for coach Tim Murphy at Harvard on October 17, 2012. He cited the university academic program and the schools willingness to let him play both basketball and football as key factors in his decision.
Anthony Paul Firkser Career
Harvard Crimson Career (2013-2016)
Firkser saw his first collegiate action in 2014 as a sophomore. He appeared in 10 games for Harvard and made 32 catches for 485 yards. His four touchdown receptions tied for first on the team and he ranked second on the team in both catches and yards. After the season, Firkser was named to the All-Ivy League second-team.
Firkser started nine games and caught 22 passes for 372 yards and three touchdowns in 2015 as a junior. For the second consecutive season, he was named to the All-Ivy League second-team. As a senior in 2016, Firkser started all 10 games for Harvard and made 45 receptions for 702 yards and seven touchdowns. He was named to the All-Ivy League first-team.
At the end of his collegiate career, Firkser ranked 12th all-time in school history in receptions, ninth all-time in receiving yards, and sixth all-time in touchdown receptions. He graduated from Harvard in 2017 with a degree in applied mathematics. During the 2018 offseason, Firkser participated in actuarial credential exams in hopes of potentially pursuing a post-football career as an actuary.
Early Professional Career (2017-2018)
Coming into the 2017 NFL draft, scouting reports projected Firkser to best fit with an NFL team in a role of a fullback or tight end hybrid player. Scouts believed Firkser was tough, intelligent, and relatively athletic. Scouts also praised him for his ability to quickly get into pass routes and adjust to errant throws. However, scouts negatively viewed him as possessing just average size and questioned his strength as a blocker.
On May 5, 2017, Firkser signed with the New York Jets as an undrafted free agent. He was waived by the Jets on September 2, 2017. On November 29, 2017, Firkser was signed to the practice squad of the Kansas City Chiefs. He signed a reserve or future contract with the Chiefs on January 8, 2018. Firkser was waived by Kansas City on April 30, 2018.
Tennessee Titans Era (2018-2021)
On May 14, 2018, Firkser was signed by the Tennessee Titans. In the preseason, Firkser was second on the team in both receptions (10) and receiving yards (108). On September 1, he was named to the Titans initial 53-man roster. He was waived by the Titans on September 17 and was re-signed to the practice squad the next day. He was promoted to the active roster on October 8.
During Week 6, Firkser caught his first NFL reception in a 21-0 shutout loss to the Baltimore Ravens. During a Week 13 26-22 victory over the New York Jets, Firkser scored his first NFL career touchdown on a 12-yard reception from Marcus Mariota. Firkser finished the 2018 season with 19 receptions for 225 yards and a touchdown.
In 2019, Firkser played a larger role in the Titans offense after veteran Delanie Walker was placed on injured reserve. During Week 10 against the Chiefs, he caught three receptions for 36 yards and his only touchdown of the regular season as the Titans won by a score of 35-32. Firkser finished the 2019 season with 14 receptions for 204 yards and a touchdown.
The Titans finished the regular season with a 9-7 record and were the sixth seed in the AFC playoffs. Firkser played his first postseason game on January 4, 2020, against the New England Patriots. In that game, he caught two passes for 23 yards and a touchdown in the Titans 20-13 upset road victory in the Wild Card Round. With the touchdown, Firkser became the first player from Harvard to score a touchdown in an NFL postseason game. He caught a 22-yard touchdown pass in the fourth quarter of the AFC Championship in a 35-24 road loss to the Chiefs.
On February 13, 2020, Firkser signed a one-year extension with the Titans. During Week 6, Firkser recorded his first career 100-yard receiving game in a 42-36 overtime victory against the Houston Texans. Firkser finished the game catching eight of nine targets from Ryan Tannehill for 113 yards, and added a touchdown in the first quarter. Firkser finished the 2020 season with 39 receptions for 387 yards and a touchdown.
On March 17, 2021, Firkser re-signed with the Titans on a one-year deal. During Week 11 against the Houston Texans, Firkser scored his first touchdown of the season when he recovered a fumble in the end zone. During a Week 17 34-3 victory over the Miami Dolphins, Firkser caught three passes for 24 yards and his first receiving touchdown of the season. In the regular-season finale against the Houston Texans, Firkser had four receptions for 56 yards and a touchdown in the 28-25 road victory. Firkser finished the 2021 season with 34 receptions for 291 yards and two touchdowns.
Subsequent NFL Journey (2022-Present)
On April 12, 2022, Firkser signed a one-year deal with the Atlanta Falcons. In the 2022 season, he appeared in 11 games and started one, recording nine receptions for 100 yards.
On May 25, 2023, Firkser signed with the New England Patriots. He was released by the Patriots on August 29, 2023. On October 10, 2023, the Detroit Lions signed Firkser to their practice squad. He was promoted to the active roster on December 30, 2023.
Firkser returned to the New York Jets on July 30, 2024. He was released by the Jets on August 27 and was subsequently re-signed to the teams practice squad. Firkser was promoted to the active roster on October 19. On October 31, the Jets released him. On November 2, 2024, Firkser was signed to the Kansas City Chiefs practice squad. He signed a reserve or future contract with the Chiefs on February 12, 2025. On May 1, Firkser was released by the Chiefs.
Firkser returned to the Detroit Lions and signed with their practice squad on November 11, 2025. He was promoted to the active roster on November 26. Firkser finished the 2025 season with eight receptions for 53 yards in seven games.
Notable Achievements
Throughout his NFL career, Firkser has recorded 123 receptions for 1,260 yards and 5 touchdowns. One of his most notable achievements came during his time with the Tennessee Titans when he became the first player from Harvard to score a touchdown in an NFL postseason game. That touchdown came on a 12-yard reception in the Wild Card Round against the New England Patriots in January 2020. Firkser also recorded his first career 100-yard receiving game in 2020 against the Houston Texans when he caught eight passes for 113 yards and a touchdown in an overtime victory.
Anthony Paul Firkser Family
Family Background
Firkser grew up in Manalapan Township, New Jersey, as the son of Alex Firkser and Donna Firkser. He is Jewish and celebrated his bar mitzvah at Temple Shaari Emeth in Manalapan. Firkser has an older brother named Josh who played college football at Wagner.
Personal Life
Beyond his football career, Firkser has shown intellectual curiosity and planning for life after football. He graduated from Harvard University in 2017 with a degree in applied mathematics. During the 2018 offseason following his rookie year, Firkser participated in actuarial credential exams in hopes of potentially pursuing a post-football career as an actuary.
2025 Season Performance
The 2025 season marked Firksers return to the Detroit Lions organization. He signed with the Lions practice squad on November 11, 2025, and was promoted to the active roster on November 26. Firkser appeared in seven games during the 2025 season and recorded eight receptions for 53 yards. His experience and versatility provided depth at the tight end position for the Lions throughout the season.
Throughout his NFL career spanning from 2017 to 2025, Firkser has demonstrated the ability to contribute when given opportunities. His notable moments include a 100-yard receiving game in 2020 against the Houston Texans and a playoff touchdown in the 2019 postseason against the New England Patriots. His journey through multiple NFL organizations highlights his ability to adapt and remain a valuable depth player at the tight end position.