Gregory Van Roten Bio
Gregory Van Roten is an American professional football guard who currently plays for the New York Giants of the National Football League. Born on February 26, 1990, in Rockville Centre, New York, Van Roten was originally signed by the Green Bay Packers as an undrafted free agent in 2012 following an accomplished college career at the University of Pennsylvania. Over his NFL career spanning more than a decade, Van Roten has established himself as a reliable and durable offensive lineman. He has appeared in 127 NFL games with 88 starts across nine different teams, demonstrating versatility at both guard and center positions. His career highlights include unanimous first-team All-Ivy League honors in 2011 and recognition as a full-time starter with the Carolina Panthers and Las Vegas Raiders.
Early Life and Background
Gregory Van Roten grew up in Rockville Centre, New York, where his football journey began with the Baldwin Bombers youth football organization at the age of 11. His passion and talent for the sport continued to develop throughout his youth, setting the foundation for his future career. Van Roten attended Chaminade High School in Mineola, New York, from 2005 to 2008. During his high school career, he distinguished himself as an All-State Left Tackle, showcasing the skills that would later translate to the collegiate and professional levels. His standout performances in high school caught the attention of college scouts and paved the way for his recruitment to the Ivy League.
Path to American Football
Van Roten continued his football and academic pursuits at the University of Pennsylvania, where he played for the Penn Quakers from 2008 to 2011. At Penn, he quickly established himself as one of the top offensive linemen in the Ivy League, earning recognition for his exceptional play at tackle. His academic achievements were equally impressive, as he studied at the prestigious Wharton School of Business and earned a Bachelor of Science in Economics with a concentration in Marketing. Beyond football and academics, Van Roten was actively involved in campus life, serving as a member of the Delta Tau Delta fraternity and the Student Athlete Advisory Committee. His combination of athletic excellence and academic distinction made him a well-rounded collegiate athlete.
Gregory Van Roten Career
Early Career (2012–2014)
Gregory Van Roten began his professional football career when he was signed by the Green Bay Packers as an undrafted free agent on July 25, 2012. His first NFL training camp presented the typical challenges for an undrafted rookie, but his collegiate experience at Penn had prepared him for the rigors of professional play. Van Roten appeared in 10 games for the Packers over two seasons from 2012 to 2013, gaining valuable experience in the NFL system and continuing to refine his technique as an offensive lineman. On February 11, 2014, he was released by the Packers. He subsequently signed with the Seattle Seahawks on February 14, 2014, but was released by the team later that same year on August 27, 2014, during final roster cuts. These early experiences in Green Bay and Seattle provided Van Roten with important exposure to different coaching styles and team cultures within the league.
Canadian Football League and Return to NFL (2015–2017)
Following his time with the Seahawks, Van Roten signed with the Toronto Argonauts of the Canadian Football League on May 22, 2015. The CFL provided him with an opportunity to play regular football and further develop his skills. He remained with the Argonauts through the 2016 season, accumulating valuable game experience north of the border. Van Roten returned to the NFL in 2017, signing with the Jacksonville Jaguars on February 27, 2017. However, his tenure with Jacksonville was brief, as he was released on May 1, 2017. Shortly after, on July 25, 2017, he signed with the Carolina Panthers, a move that would prove to be one of the most significant of his career. In his first season with the Panthers, Van Roten appeared in 10 games primarily on special teams while serving as a backup center and guard.
Carolina Panthers Breakthrough (2017–2019)
The 2018 season marked Van Roten’s breakthrough year in the NFL. On January 29, 2018, he signed a two-year contract extension with the Panthers, signaling the team’s confidence in his abilities. That season, he became a full-time starter, playing all 16 games at left guard and starting every one of them. Remarkably, Van Roten was the only Panthers player to play every single offensive snap during the 2018 season, demonstrating exceptional durability and reliability. His consistent performance solidified his position as a key member of the Panthers’ offensive line. The following season in 2019, Van Roten continued as the starting left guard, opening the first 11 games of the season. However, his campaign was cut short when he suffered a dislocated toe in Week 12. The injury required him to be placed on injured reserve on November 27, 2019, ending his season prematurely.
New York Jets Era (2020–2021)
On April 2, 2020, Van Roten signed a three-year contract with the New York Jets, marking a new chapter in his career. He joined the Jets as their starting right guard and opened the 2020 season in that role, starting the first 12 games. His tenure with the Jets was interrupted when he was placed on injured reserve on December 12, 2020, due to an injury. He was activated off injured reserve on January 2, 2021, allowing him to return for the final game of the season. The 2021 season saw Van Roten continue his role with the Jets, though his time with the team ended after two seasons when he was released on May 6, 2022.
Buffalo Bills (2022)
Van Roten quickly found a new home when he signed with the Buffalo Bills on June 13, 2022. The one-year deal gave him an opportunity to join a competitive team with playoff aspirations. During the 2022 season, Van Roten appeared in all 16 games for the Bills, starting four of them. His versatility and ability to step in when needed proved valuable for a Bills roster that advanced deep into the playoffs.
Las Vegas Raiders (2023)
On May 19, 2023, Van Roten signed with the Las Vegas Raiders. The Raiders named him their starting right guard entering the season, providing him with an opportunity to return to full-time starting duties. Van Roten seized the opportunity, starting all 17 games at right guard during the 2023 season. His durability and consistent performance made him a reliable presence on the Raiders’ offensive line.
New York Giants (2024–Present)
On July 31, 2024, Gregory Van Roten signed a one-year, $3 million contract with the New York Giants, marking his return to the New York area where he grew up. The signing reunited him with former Raiders teammate Jermaine Eluemunor and offensive line coach Carmen Bricillo, with whom he had worked successfully in Las Vegas. Van Roten was named the Giants’ starting right guard heading into the 2024 season and proved his worth by starting all 17 games at both right guard and center positions, playing every single snap throughout the season. On March 19, 2025, Van Roten re-signed with the Giants on another one-year contract, demonstrating the organization’s continued confidence in his abilities.
Playing Style and Strengths
Gregory Van Roten is recognized for his exceptional durability and reliability as an offensive lineman. Throughout his career, he has demonstrated the rare ability to play every offensive snap in multiple seasons, including the 2018 season with Carolina, the 2023 season with Las Vegas, and the 2024 season with New York. His versatility allows him to play both guard and center positions effectively. Van Roten’s consistency and football intelligence have enabled him to earn starting roles with multiple teams throughout his career. His experience working with various coaching staffs and offensive systems has made him a valuable veteran presence in any locker room.
Notable Events and Milestones
Among Van Roten’s career highlights are his unanimous first-team All-Ivy recognition in 2011 and his first-team All-Ivy selection in 2010 during his collegiate career at Penn. His 2018 season with the Panthers stands out as a defining moment, when he became the only player on the team to play every offensive snap while starting all 16 games at left guard. His ability to maintain this level of performance has been a consistent theme throughout his professional career, as he repeated the feat of starting all 17 games in subsequent seasons with both the Raiders and Giants.
Gregory Van Roten Career Wins
Over his NFL career from 2012 through 2024, Gregory Van Roten has accumulated significant experience at the professional level. He has appeared in 127 NFL games with 88 starts, recovering 4 fumbles throughout his career. His journey through the league has seen him contribute to multiple organizations as both a starter and valuable reserve.
Career Highlights by Team
Van Roten’s most significant contributions have come during his stints as a full-time starter. His 2018 season with Carolina, where he started all 16 games at left guard and played every offensive snap, represents one of the most productive periods of his career. Similarly, his 2023 season with Las Vegas saw him start all 17 games at right guard. His 2024 season with the Giants continued this pattern, as he started all 17 games at both right guard and center positions. As of the 2024 season, Van Roten has appeared in 127 NFL games with 88 starts and 4 fumble recoveries.
Collegiate Achievements
Prior to his professional career, Van Roten earned unanimous first-team All-Ivy honors in 2011 and first-team All-Ivy recognition in 2010 while playing for the Penn Quakers from 2008 to 2011.
| Competition Level | Games Played | Games Started |
|---|---|---|
| NFL (2012–2024) | 127 | 88 |
Family
Family Background
Gregory Van Roten comes from a family with athletic connections. His father, Kevin Van Roten, played college football at Boston College, providing his son with football knowledge and guidance from an early age. This family legacy in football contributed to Van Roten’s early interest in the sport and helped shape his development as a player from a young age. Growing up in the Van Roten household likely exposed Gregory to the demands and dedication required to succeed at the collegiate and professional levels.
Personal Life
Beyond his football career, Gregory Van Roten has demonstrated a commitment to academic excellence. His education at the University of Pennsylvania’s prestigious Wharton School of Business provided him with a strong academic foundation, and he earned a Bachelor of Science in Economics with a concentration in Marketing. His involvement in the Delta Tau Delta fraternity and the Student Athlete Advisory Committee during college reflects his engagement with campus communities. Van Roten maintains a public presence through his Instagram account. His professional journey reflects a balance between athletic achievement and personal development.
2025 Season Performance
The 2025 season marks Gregory Van Roten’s 14th year in professional football and his second season with the New York Giants. Re-signing with the team in March 2025 on another one-year contract, Van Roten enters the season as one of the most experienced offensive linemen on the Giants roster. His reunion with offensive line coach Carmen Bricillo, with whom he worked in both Las Vegas and during his initial signing with New York, provides continuity in his development and role within the offensive scheme. Van Roten’s durability remains a significant asset, having played every offensive snap in each of his past three seasons of full-time starting duties. The Giants’ offensive line will play a crucial role in protecting their young quarterback and establishing the running game. Van Roten’s experience and reliability provide stability for a Giants team looking to improve upon their 5-12 record from the 2024 season.