Andre Maleek Chachere Bio
Andre Maleek Chachere is an American professional football safety who played in the National Football League. Born on February 10, 1996, in Fresno, California, Chachere played college football for the San Jose State Spartans before entering the NFL as an undrafted free agent in 2018. Over his professional career, Chachere demonstrated versatility and resilience, appearing on rosters for multiple NFL teams while contributing primarily on special teams and as a defensive backup. His journey through the league exemplifies the perseverance required for players who do not hear their names called during the NFL Draft.
Early Life and Background
Andre Maleek Chachere was born and raised in Fresno, California, where he attended Clovis West High School. His father, Derrick Chachere, played seven seasons in the Arena Football League from 1995 to 2002, providing his son with a football legacy and early exposure to the sport at the professional level. Growing up in a household with professional football experience helped shape Chachere’s understanding of the game and his aspirations to play at the highest level.
At Clovis West High School, Chachere developed into a notable defensive player, laying the foundation for his future collegiate career. The skills he honed during his high school years would serve as a springboard for his transition to college football at the NCAA Division I level.
Path to the NFL
Chachere continued his football career at San Jose State University, where he played for the San Jose State Spartans from 2014 to 2017. Initially serving as a cornerback, he appeared primarily on special teams during his freshman season before earning a starting role for his final three years with the program. His progression from a special teams player to a full-time starter demonstrated his dedication and improvement as a collegiate athlete.
In 49 career games with the Spartans, Chachere recorded 122 total tackles, 4.5 tackles for loss including a sack, three forced fumbles, seven interceptions for 169 yards, and 27 passes defended. One of his most memorable college moments came during the 2015 Cure Bowl against Georgia State, where he made an interception in the end zone in the final minute to help preserve a 27-16 victory. Chachere graduated from San Jose State in May 2018 with a bachelor’s degree in communication studies, completing his collegiate career on a strong academic note.
Andre Maleek Chachere Career
Houston Texans and Detroit Lions (2018-2019)
Despite going undrafted in the 2018 NFL Draft, Chachere signed with the Houston Texans as an undrafted free agent on May 11, 2018. He was waived during final roster cuts on September 1 but was re-signed to the team’s practice squad the following day. This pattern of moving between practice squads and active rosters would become a recurring theme throughout his early professional career.
On November 21, 2018, Chachere was signed to the Detroit Lions’ practice squad. His performance earned him a promotion to Detroit’s active roster on December 29, 2018, marking his first appearance on an NFL team’s 53-man roster. However, he was waived by the Lions during final roster cuts on August 30, 2019, continuing his journeyman path through the league.
Indianapolis Colts (2020-2021)
Chachere had a tryout with the Indianapolis Colts on August 13, 2020, and after also visiting the Tennessee Titans, he returned to the Colts for a second visit on August 20. He signed with Indianapolis on August 23, 2020. He was waived by the Colts during roster cuts on September 5 but was re-signed to the practice squad the next day, maintaining his connection to the organization.
On January 10, 2021, Chachere signed a reserve/futures contract with the Colts, providing him with a spot on the roster for the 2021 season. However, he was waived by Indianapolis on September 1, 2021, opening the door for his next opportunity.
Philadelphia Eagles (2021-2022)
On September 2, 2021, Chachere was claimed off waivers by the Philadelphia Eagles. During his initial games with the Eagles, he primarily played as a gunner on special teams while also serving as the backup nickelback and safety. He was placed in COVID-19 protocols on December 27 but was activated on January 3, 2022, missing only one game.
On March 15, 2022, Chachere re-signed with the Eagles. He was waived during final roster cuts on August 30 and re-signed to the practice squad the following day. He was promoted to the active roster on November 8 before being waived again on December 6 and re-signed to the practice squad. On February 17, 2023, Chachere signed another reserve/future contract with Philadelphia, but he was waived on May 8, ending his tenure with the Eagles.
Arizona Cardinals and Jacksonville Jaguars (2023-2025)
On May 9, 2023, Chachere was claimed off waivers by the Arizona Cardinals, beginning his third stint with the franchise. He was waived on August 29 and re-signed to the practice squad before being promoted to the active roster on September 16, 2023. His versatility on special teams and as a defensive backup made him a valuable depth player for the Cardinals.
On August 27, 2024, Chachere was waived by Arizona. He signed with the Jacksonville Jaguars’ practice squad on September 12, 2024, but was released by Jacksonville on October 7. Chachere returned to Arizona, signing with the Cardinals’ practice squad on November 18, 2024. He was promoted to the active roster on January 4, 2025, concluding his journey through the NFL with another opportunity to contribute at the sport’s highest level.
Playing Style and Strengths
Chachere established himself primarily as a special teams contributor throughout his NFL career. His role as a gunner on special teams units showcased his speed and tackling ability in space. Additionally, he provided defensive depth as a backup nickelback and safety, demonstrating the positional versatility that helped him remain in the league despite not being drafted. His ability to adapt to different defensive schemes and contribute on multiple units made him a reliable player for teams seeking experienced depth.
Notable Events and Milestones
Throughout his career, Chachere demonstrated remarkable persistence by continuing to earn opportunities even after multiple releases and practice squad assignments. His promotion to the Detroit Lions’ active roster on December 29, 2018, marked his first breakthrough at the NFL level. His seven-interception college career at San Jose State, including his crucial pick in the 2015 Cure Bowl victory over Georgia State, highlighted his ball skills and ability to make game-changing plays in high-pressure situations.
Andre Maleek Chachere Career Statistics
Chachere appeared in multiple NFL seasons with various teams, contributing primarily on special teams and as a defensive backup. His professional career spanned seven seasons with nine different team stints across six franchises.
NFL Career Highlights
In his NFL career, Chachere recorded 51 total tackles and 3 pass deflections. His contributions came primarily through special teams play, where his energy and tackling ability made him a consistent presence on coverage units. The number of franchise movements he experienced throughout his career underscored both the competitive nature of the NFL and his determination to maintain a professional football career.
College Career Achievements
At San Jose State, Chachere played 49 games over four seasons, accumulating 122 total tackles, 4.5 tackles for loss, three forced fumbles, seven interceptions, and 27 passes defended. His 169 return yards from interceptions demonstrated his ability to create offensive opportunities for his team after making plays on the ball. The progression he showed from a special teams player as a freshman to a three-year starter reflected his development as a complete defensive player.
Andre Maleek Chachere Family
Family Background and Football Lineage
Chachere comes from a football family, with his father Derrick Chachere having enjoyed a successful professional career in the Arena Football League. Derrick played seven seasons in the AFL from 1995 to 2002, providing Andre with firsthand knowledge of what it takes to succeed at the professional level. This family legacy in football undoubtedly influenced Andre’s development as a player and his aspirations to follow in his father’s footsteps.
Personal Life
Chachere completed his bachelor’s degree in communication studies at San Jose State University in May 2018, demonstrating his commitment to academic success alongside his athletic pursuits. He maintains an active presence on social media, connecting with fans through his Instagram and X accounts. Chachere’s ability to balance his football career with his educational background reflects the well-rounded approach he has taken throughout his professional journey.
2025 Season Performance
Andre Maleek Chachere began the 2025 season with the Arizona Cardinals after being promoted to the active roster on January 4, 2025. His return to Arizona marked another chapter in his journeyman NFL career, providing him with an opportunity to contribute to a franchise with which he had developed a significant connection across multiple stints. The Cardinals valued Chachere’s special teams experience and defensive versatility, which had become hallmarks of his professional career.
Throughout his career, Chachere has exemplified the qualities that allow undrafted players to maintain NFL careers: adaptability, reliability on special teams, and the mental toughness required to navigate frequent roster changes. His journey through nine different team stints with six franchises demonstrated both the challenges of life as an undrafted player and his unwavering dedication to the sport he loves. On April 10, 2026, Chachere announced his retirement from professional football, concluding a career defined by perseverance and commitment to the game.