Ben Sims

Ben Sims Bio

Ben Sims (born May 16, 2000) is an American professional football tight end who currently plays for the Minnesota Vikings of the National Football League (NFL). Sims was born in San Antonio, Texas, and attended Clark High School in his hometown. He went on to play college football for the Baylor Bears from 2018 to 2022 before entering the NFL as an undrafted free agent in 2023. Sims has spent his NFL career with the Minnesota Vikings and Green Bay Packers, earning a reputation as a reliable rotational tight end who contributes on offense and special teams.

Early Life and Background

Ben Sims was born on May 16, 2000, in San Antonio, Texas. He attended Clark High School in San Antonio, where he developed into a promising tight end prospect. During his senior season at Clark High School, Sims recorded 24 catches for 444 yards and seven touchdowns as a tight end. His size, athleticism, and catching ability made him an attractive college prospect.

Sims was rated as a three-star recruit coming out of high school. ESPN ranked him as the 28th-best tight end in the nation among high school prospects. His impressive high school production and ranking drew interest from several college programs across the country. Sims ultimately chose to continue his football career close to home, selecting Baylor over offers from Auburn, Arizona State, and Texas Tech.

Path to American Football

Sims committed to play college football for the Baylor Bears in Waco, Texas. His decision to join Baylor came after a successful high school career that demonstrated his potential as a pass-catching tight end at the collegiate level. The recruitment process highlighted his combination of size and receiving skills that college programs sought in a modern tight end.

Upon arriving at Baylor, Sims began his collegiate career with the goal of earning playing time in a competitive Big 12 conference. His development during his final years of high school and early college career set the foundation for his transition to major college football, where he would face higher-level competition and continue refining his skills as both a receiver and blocker.

Ben Sims Career

College Career (2018–2022)

Ben Sims played five seasons for the Baylor Bears from 2018 to 2022, becoming one of the most productive tight ends in program history. As a true freshman in 2018, he redshirted while appearing in only three games, getting his first taste of collegiate football at the highest level. He saw limited action in 2019, appearing in eight games as he adjusted to the college game and built experience in the Bears’ offense.

Sims became a starter for Baylor in 2020 and his production increased significantly. He posted 14 receptions for 164 yards and led the team with three touchdowns that season. Notably, his first career touchdown reception was the first touchdown scored by a Baylor tight end since 2017, marking an important milestone in his development. In 2021, Sims had his most productive college season, catching 31 passes for 361 yards and nine touchdowns. His nine scores that year set the single-season record for touchdowns by a tight end in Baylor history.

Sims returned for a fifth season in 2022, recording 31 receptions for 255 yards. He earned honorable mention all-conference honors and was named second-team All-Texas for his performance. When his collegiate career concluded, Sims finished as Baylor’s all-time leader in touchdowns by a tight end with 12 total scores. He also ranked second in career receptions (78) and fourth in receiving yards (785) among tight ends in school history. Following his final season, Sims was invited to the NFLPA Collegiate Bowl, where he scored a touchdown in the postseason all-star game.

Minnesota Vikings (2023)

After going unselected in the 2023 NFL draft, Ben Sims signed with the Minnesota Vikings as an undrafted free agent. His path to the NFL as an undrafted player demonstrated the perseverance required to earn an opportunity at the professional level despite not hearing his name called on draft weekend. Sims impressed Vikings coaches during the preseason, catching three passes for 53 yards with a long reception of 33 yards in exhibition games.

Despite his solid preseason performance, Sims was waived at the final roster cuts on August 29, 2023, as the Vikings made their decisions to finalize their 53-man roster. His release came as a surprise to some observers given his training camp production, but the Vikings’ roster decisions reflected the competitive nature of the NFL at the tight end position.

Green Bay Packers (2023–2025)

On August 31, 2023, Sims was claimed off waivers by the Green Bay Packers, joining a tight end room that included other young players like Tucker Kraft and Luke Musgrave. The Packers saw potential in Sims as they rebuilt their offense around quarterback Jordan Love, and he became a valuable member of their tight end rotation over the following seasons.

Sims scored his first NFL touchdown during a Week 13 home game against the Kansas City Chiefs, catching a pass from Jordan Love in the red zone and finding the end zone. He celebrated the milestone by performing the iconic Lambeau Leap, joining the tradition of Packers players who have marked their first home touchdowns in that memorable fashion. The touchdown came during a significant victory against a high-profile opponent, marking Sims’ arrival as an NFL contributor.

Sims served as a rotational tight end for the Packers throughout the 2024 and 2025 seasons, contributing in both the passing game and as a blocker. On October 25, 2025, the Packers waived Sims, ending his tenure with the organization. He finished his time in Green Bay having appeared in multiple games and establishing himself as a reliable depth piece at the tight end position.

Minnesota Vikings (Second Stint, 2025–Present)

Two days after being waived by the Packers, on October 27, 2025, Sims was claimed off waivers by the Minnesota Vikings, returning to the team that originally signed him as an undrafted free agent in 2023. His return to Minnesota represented a full circle in his NFL journey, bringing him back to the organization where he first entered the league.

Sims rejoined the Vikings’ tight end rotation as he looked to earn a more permanent role with his original NFL team. His experience from two-plus seasons with the Packers, including his first NFL touchdown, gave him additional credibility as he competed for playing time in Minnesota’s offense.

Ben Sims Career Statistics

Ben Sims has appeared in regular season games with both the Minnesota Vikings and Green Bay Packers during his NFL career. His contributions have come primarily as a depth tight end and special teams contributor, with limited but notable production in the passing game.

2025 Season Performance

The 2025 NFL season marked a significant chapter in Ben Sims’ career as he returned to the Minnesota Vikings mid-season. After beginning the year with the Green Bay Packers, Sims was claimed off waivers by the Vikings in late October, reuniting him with the organization that first gave him an opportunity in professional football. His addition provided Minnesota with experienced depth at the tight end position as they navigated the second half of their season.

Sims’ transition back to Minnesota brought the benefit of his experience gained during nearly two full seasons with the Packers. His familiarity with offensive schemes and his ability to contribute as both a receiver and blocker made him a valuable addition to the Vikings’ roster. The move also allowed him to compete for increased playing time in a familiar defensive environment from his early NFL days.

The outlook for Sims with the Vikings centers on establishing himself as a reliable contributor in their tight end rotation. His demonstrated ability to catch touchdowns in the NFL and his special teams value give him a path to regular season appearances. As he continues his career, Sims aims to build upon his early NFL experiences and become a more consistent presence in an NFL offense.