Greg Joseph Bio
Greg Joseph is a South African professional American football placekicker who has played for 14 different National Football League teams since entering the league as an undrafted free agent in 2018. Born in Johannesburg, South Africa, Joseph moved to West Boca Raton, Florida, with his family at age seven and developed into one of the most prolific kickers in Florida Atlantic University history. He signed with the Miami Dolphins in 2018 after going undrafted and has since established himself as a reliable NFL placekicker with career statistics of 116 made field goals in 141 attempts, including a long of 61 yards. Joseph won a Super Bowl LV championship with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in the 2020 season, cementing his place among the league’s journeymen kickers who have demonstrated resilience and adaptability across multiple organizations.
Early Life and Background
Greg Joseph was born on August 4, 1994, in Johannesburg, South Africa, to Glen and Ilana Joseph. In 2001, when Joseph was seven years old, his family relocated to West Boca Raton, Florida, seeking to leave South Africa. His mother had family already established in Florida, which facilitated the transition to the United States. Joseph grew up with two younger brothers, Marc and Dylan, in the South Florida Jewish community.
Joseph is Jewish and has stated that his faith has guided him throughout his life and career. He attended Donna Klein Jewish Academy in Boca Raton for football and soccer, where he earned all-county and all-state honors in both sports. He then transferred to American Heritage School in Delray Beach for his high school football career, where he achieved All-America status from MaxPrep.com while earning all-county and all-state recognition. Recognizing that his path to a college scholarship and professional career was more promising in football than soccer, Joseph chose to focus exclusively on kicking.
Path to Professional Football
Joseph walked onto the Florida Atlantic University football team and redshirted his freshman season. He spent five years with the Florida Atlantic Owls from 2013 to 2017, gradually developing into the most accomplished kicker in program history. He graduated in 2017 with a degree in exercise science and health promotion and was working toward completing his MBA at FAU as of February 2019. His dedication to his craft and his ability to consistently deliver under pressure caught the attention of NFL scouts despite his status as an unheralded walk-on prospect.
Greg Joseph Career
Early NFL Career (2018)
After going undrafted in the 2018 NFL Draft, Joseph signed as a free agent with the Miami Dolphins. He performed admirably in the preseason, making all three kicks he attempted, but was released on September 1, 2018. The Cleveland Browns signed him just two weeks later on September 17, replacing Zane Gonzalez who had been cut after a poor performance against the New Orleans Saints. In his debut with the Browns during Week 5, Joseph made a game-winning 37-yard field goal in overtime to defeat the Baltimore Ravens 12-9. In his lone season in Cleveland, Joseph made 17 of 20 field goal attempts with a long of 51 yards and converted 25 of 29 extra points. He achieved a 68.1% touchback rate on 69 kickoffs. He lost the kicking job to rookie Austin Seibert during final roster cuts in August 2019.
Tennessee Titans and Tampa Bay Buccaneers (2019-2020)
Joseph signed with the Carolina Panthers practice squad on November 25, 2019, before the Tennessee Titans signed him to a three-year contract off their practice squad on December 18. He made his Titans debut four days later, kicking four extra points in a loss to the New Orleans Saints. Joseph waited until his fifth game with the Titans to attempt his first field goal, a 30-yarder in the AFC Championship Game against the Kansas City Chiefs, and went 15-for-15 on extra points before that kick. The Titans waived Joseph on September 3, 2020, after signing Stephen Gostkowski. He joined the Tampa Bay Buccaneers practice squad on September 8, 2020, and was elevated to the active roster for Week 15 before returning to the practice squad, ultimately becoming a Super Bowl LV champion when the Buccaneers defeated the Kansas City Chiefs in February 2021.
Minnesota Vikings Breakthrough (2021-2023)
Joseph signed with the Minnesota Vikings on February 11, 2021, to replace struggling Dan Bailey. He experienced early adversity, missing a game-winning 37-yard field goal attempt as time expired against the Arizona Cardinals in Week 2, but bounced back with a 54-yard game-winner against the Detroit Lions three weeks later. The 2022 season marked his finest professional performance. During a Week 4 victory over the Saints in London, Joseph made all five field goal attempts including a 47-yard game-winner, earning NFC Special Teams Player of the Week honors. In Week 15 against the Indianapolis Colts, his 40-yard field goal in overtime helped the Vikings achieve the biggest comeback in NFL history. The following week against the New York Giants, Joseph kicked a 61-yard game-winning field goal, setting a Vikings franchise record for the longest made field goal. He signed a one-year contract extension with Minnesota on March 14, 2023, and converted 24 of 30 field goal attempts and 36 of 38 extra points that season.
2024 Season and Recent Journey
Joseph signed with the Green Bay Packers on March 28, 2024, made their initial 53-man roster, but was released on August 28. He joined the Detroit Lions practice squad on September 11 before the New York Giants signed him to their active roster six days later after Graham Gano suffered an injury. Joseph struggled during his time with the Giants, missing two field goals in Week 6 against the Cincinnati Bengals, and was waived with an injury settlement on November 7. He signed with the Washington Commanders practice squad on December 13, was elevated for Week 15, and released on December 23. The New York Jets signed him to their practice squad on December 24 and promoted him to the active roster on December 31 after Greg Zuerlein was placed on injured reserve. In the 2024 season, Joseph finished by converting all 11 extra point attempts and 16 of 20 field goal attempts.
San Francisco 49ers and Las Vegas Raiders (2025)
Joseph signed with the San Francisco 49ers on May 19, 2025, to a one-year contract. He was released on August 4, 2025, during the preseason. He signed with the Las Vegas Raiders practice squad on November 11, 2025, and was released on December 2, continuing his journeyman career across the NFL landscape.
Driving Style and Strengths
Joseph has demonstrated particular strength in making clutch kicks from long distance throughout his career. His 61-yard field goal against the New York Giants stands as the longest made field goal in Vikings franchise history. He has shown the ability to deliver game-winning kicks in high-pressure situations, including multiple overtime victories and dramatic finishes. His consistency on extra points, particularly his perfect 11-for-11 performance with the Jets in 2024, highlights his reliability in fundamental kicking duties. His experience across 14 different NFL organizations reflects his ability to adapt to various team systems, coaching philosophies, and roster situations.
Notable Events and Milestones
Joseph’s career has been defined by several signature moments. His game-winning 37-yard field goal in overtime against the Baltimore Ravens in his Browns debut established his reputation for clutch performance. The 2022 season brought his most prolific stretch, with NFC Special Teams Player of the Week honors in London and his record-setting 61-yard kick in Minnesota. His Super Bowl LV championship with the Buccaneers represents the pinnacle of his professional achievements. His remarkable consistency in the 2024 season, converting 16 of 20 field goals and all 11 extra points with the Jets, demonstrated his continued effectiveness at the highest level of professional football.
Greg Joseph Career Wins
Throughout his NFL career, Joseph has established himself as a reliable kicker with 116 career field goals made in 141 attempts, representing an 82.3% conversion rate. His longest career field goal is 61 yards, achieved during his tenure with the Minnesota Vikings. He has accumulated 268 career touchbacks and continues to contribute at the NFL level as a veteran kicker with extensive experience across multiple organizations.
NFL Highlights
Joseph’s career highlights include his Super Bowl LV championship with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in the 2020 season. His 61-yard field goal against the New York Giants in 2022 set the Minnesota Vikings franchise record for the longest made field goal. He earned NFC Special Teams Player of the Week honors following his 5-for-5 performance including a 47-yard game-winner against the New Orleans Saints in London during the 2022 season. His game-winning field goals against the Baltimore Ravens in 2018, Detroit Lions in 2021, Green Bay Packers in 2021, and Indianapolis Colts in 2022 overtime victory highlight his ability to deliver in critical moments. His perfect extra point performance with the Jets in 2024, going 11-for-11, underscores his consistency.
College Records
At Florida Atlantic University, Joseph graduated as the Owls’ all-time leader in field goals made with 57, points scored with 336, and points after touchdown with 165 made in 170 attempts. He also holds the FAU single-game records for PATs, field goals, points scored by kicking, and longest field goal at 54 yards. His redshirt junior and redshirt senior seasons in 2016 and 2017 earned him Honorable Mention All-Conference USA recognition.
| Competition | Field Goals | Attempts | Percentage | Long |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| NFL Career | 116 | 141 | 82.3% | 61 |
| FAU Career | 57 | — | — | 54 |
Greg Joseph Family
Family Background and Jewish Heritage
Greg Joseph was born to Glen and Ilana Joseph in Johannesburg, South Africa. His family moved to West Boca Raton, Florida, in 2001 when Joseph was seven years old. He grew up Jewish and has two younger brothers, Marc and Dylan. Joseph has stated that his Jewish faith has absolutely guided him throughout his life and career, providing him with values and principles that have shaped his approach to professional football. His mother’s family connections in Florida facilitated the family’s transition from South Africa to the United States.
Personal Life
Joseph resides in West Boca Raton, Florida, in the same community where he grew up after moving from South Africa as a child. He completed his undergraduate degree in exercise science and health promotion at Florida Atlantic University in 2017 and was pursuing an MBA at the same institution as of February 2019. Joseph maintains a presence on Instagram under the handle @gregjoseph, where he shares glimpses of his professional and personal life with his audience. His journey from a South African-born youth to a Super Bowl champion exemplifies his resilience and adaptability.
2025 Season Outlook
Greg Joseph enters the 2025 season continuing his journeyman career in the NFL, most recently with the Las Vegas Raiders practice squad before being released in early December. His career trajectory demonstrates remarkable persistence, as he has earned opportunities with 14 different NFL teams over seven-plus seasons. Despite the roster volatility inherent in the kicker position, Joseph has consistently demonstrated the ability to contribute when given opportunities. His 2024 performance with the Jets, where he converted 16 of 20 field goals and all 11 extra points, shows he remains an effective NFL kicker. His experience at multiple franchises, combined with his clutch performance history including game-winning kicks and a Super Bowl championship, makes him a valuable veteran option for teams seeking reliable kicking production. As he continues his career, Joseph’s combination of leg strength, accuracy from long distance, and proven ability to deliver in high-pressure situations keeps him in consideration for future NFL opportunities.