Kristian Welch Bio
Kristian Welch is an American professional football linebacker who currently plays for the Green Bay Packers of the National Football League (NFL). Born on May 24, 1998, in Iola, Wisconsin, Welch began his football journey at Iola-Scandinavia High School before advancing to play college football at the University of Iowa. He entered the NFL as an undrafted free agent with the Baltimore Ravens in 2020 and has since developed into a reliable special teams player and rotational linebacker across multiple NFL franchises.
Early Life and Background
Kristian Welch grew up in Iola, Wisconsin, where he attended Iola-Scandinavia High School. During his high school career, Welch established himself as a standout football player, developing the skills and work ethic that would later serve him well at the collegiate level. His performance in high school caught the attention of major college programs, ultimately leading him to accept a scholarship at the University of Iowa.
Welch’s upbringing in Wisconsin provided him with the Midwestern values and resilience that have characterized his professional career. The smaller-town environment of Iola helped shape his grounded approach to football and his ability to overcome challenges throughout his journey to the NFL.
Path to the NFL
Welch played college football at the University of Iowa from 2016 to 2019. At Iowa, he developed under the guidance of head coach Kirk Ferentz and the Hawkeyes coaching staff, refining his skills as a linebacker in one of college football’s most prestigious programs. The Iowa Hawkeyes have a strong tradition of producing NFL-ready defensive players, and Welch benefited from this development environment.
After completing his collegiate career, Welch entered the 2020 NFL Draft. Despite being an undrafted free agent, his college performance and measurables attracted interest from NFL teams. His journey from undrafted free agent to NFL roster player demonstrates the persistence and determination required to succeed at the professional level without the security of a drafted contract.
Kristian Welch Career
Baltimore Ravens (2020–2022)
Kristian Welch signed with the Baltimore Ravens as an undrafted free agent on May 6, 2020, following the conclusion of the 2020 NFL Draft. He was waived during final roster cuts on September 5, 2020, but was re-signed to the team’s practice squad the following day. Welch was placed on the practice squad injured list on September 15 and activated on October 6.
Welch was elevated from the practice squad to the active roster for Weeks 6 and 8 against the Philadelphia Eagles and Pittsburgh Steelers, respectively, before being promoted to the active roster permanently on November 7, 2020. In his rookie season, he appeared in multiple games and contributed on special teams while continuing to develop as a linebacker.
The Ravens placed an exclusive-rights free agent tender on Welch on March 10, 2021. He signed his one-year contract on April 18, 2021. Welch appeared in 16 games during the 2021 season, logging 13 combined tackles. The following year, he played in all 17 games for Baltimore, recording three combined tackles.
Green Bay Packers (2023)
Welch re-signed with the Ravens on April 8, 2023, but was released as part of final roster cuts on August 29, 2023. He was signed to the Green Bay Packers practice squad on August 31, 2023. Welch was promoted to the active roster on September 28, 2023. In his first season with the Packers, he appeared in 14 games and recorded six combined tackles while contributing primarily on special teams.
Denver Broncos (2024)
Welch signed with the Denver Broncos on August 29, 2024. He appeared in regular-season games for the Broncos before being released on October 15, 2024. The brief tenure with Denver provided Welch with additional experience in different defensive systems and coaching environments.
Baltimore Ravens (Second Stint, 2024)
On October 16, 2024, Welch was signed to the Baltimore Ravens practice squad, returning to the organization where he began his NFL career. He was promoted to the active roster on November 23, 2024, contributing to the Ravens’ defense and special teams during the remainder of the season.
Green Bay Packers (Second Stint, 2025–Present)
On March 28, 2025, Welch signed with the Green Bay Packers, marking his return to the franchise. He was released on August 26 as part of final roster cuts and signed to the practice squad the following day. Welch was signed to the active roster on November 1 but was waived two days later. He returned to the practice squad on November 4 before being promoted to the active roster again on November 11, 2025.
Playing Style and Strengths
Welch has established himself as a reliable special teams player and rotational linebacker throughout his NFL career. His ability to contribute on multiple special teams units has been instrumental in his ability to remain on rosters across several franchises. Welch’s instincts and football intelligence allow him to adapt quickly to different defensive schemes, as evidenced by his successful transitions between the Ravens, Packers, Broncos, and back to the Packers.
Notable Events and Milestones
One of Welch’s notable career achievements is his ability to navigate the roster transaction process that many undrafted free agents face. From being waived and re-signed to practice squads multiple times to earning promotions to active rosters, Welch has demonstrated resilience and adaptability. His stints with multiple teams have provided him with diverse experience in different defensive philosophies and team cultures.
Kristian Welch Career Statistics
Throughout his NFL career spanning five seasons, Kristian Welch has appeared in games with four different franchises while accumulating meaningful statistics on defense and special teams.
NFL Statistics
Welch has recorded 43 total tackles across his NFL career with the Baltimore Ravens, Green Bay Packers, Denver Broncos, and returning stints with both organizations. He has also contributed one fumble recovery, demonstrating his ability to create turnovers when opportunities arise.
Season-by-Season Highlights
His most productive statistical season came in 2021 with the Baltimore Ravens, where he appeared in 16 games and recorded 13 tackles. Welch also appeared in all 17 games during the 2022 season with Baltimore. His special teams contributions have been consistent across multiple seasons and franchises, earning him a reputation as a reliable depth player and core special teams performer.
| Season | Team | Games | Total Tackles | Fumble Recoveries |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2020 | Baltimore Ravens | Multiple | — | — |
| 2021 | Baltimore Ravens | 16 | 13 | — |
| 2022 | Baltimore Ravens | 17 | 3 | — |
| 2023 | Green Bay Packers | 14 | 6 | — |
| 2024 | Broncos/Ravens | Multiple | — | — |
| 2025 | Green Bay Packers | 8 | 3 | — |
Kristian Welch Family
Family Background
Kristian Welch was born and raised in Iola, Wisconsin, to his family who have supported his football career from the beginning. His Midwestern roots have been a consistent foundation throughout his professional career, providing him with the stability and work ethic that has characterized his journey through multiple NFL organizations.
Personal Life
Welch maintains a presence on social media, connecting with fans through his Instagram account. His professional approach to football has been matched by his dedication to continuous improvement and adapting to new team environments. As of 2025, Welch continues to pursue his NFL career with the Green Bay Packers while residing in Wisconsin during the football season.
2025 Season Performance
The 2025 season has been eventful for Kristian Welch with the Green Bay Packers. After being signed, released, and re-signed multiple times throughout the season, Welch found his footing with the organization. His promotion to the active roster on November 11 marked another milestone in his journey of persistence and determination.
Welch appeared in eight total appearances during the 2025 season, recording three combined tackles. His contributions came primarily on special teams, where his experience and reliability provided value to the Packers’ units. The season was cut short when Welch was placed on season-ending injured reserve due to an ankle injury on December 26, 2025.
The injury presented a setback, but Welch’s track record of resilience suggests he will work diligently during the offseason to recover and compete for a roster spot in 2026. His ability to bounce back between active rosters and practice squads throughout his career has demonstrated his commitment to maintaining an NFL career despite the inherent challenges of being an undrafted player.