Jack Cochrane is an American professional football linebacker for the Kansas City Chiefs of the National Football League (NFL). He played college football for the South Dakota Coyotes from 2017 to 2021. Cochrane signed with the Chiefs as an undrafted free agent on May 1, 2022, and went on to win back-to-back Super Bowls with the team in his first two professional seasons. He has emerged as a reliable contributor on defense for one of the NFL’s premier franchises.
Jack Cochrane Bio
Jack Cochrane was born on February 9, 1999, in Mount Vernon, Iowa, United States. He attended Mount Vernon High School in his hometown, where he developed into a notable football player. During his high school career, Cochrane was teammates with Tristan Wirfs, who would go on to become a prominent offensive tackle for the Tampa Bay Buccaneers and a Super Bowl champion himself. The partnership between Cochrane and Wirfs at the high school level established a foundation for their respective professional football careers. Cochrane’s success at Mount Vernon High School positioned him well for the next level of his football journey.
Early Life and Background
Growing up in Mount Vernon, Iowa, Cochrane demonstrated early promise as a multi-sport athlete before focusing on football. His combination of size, athleticism, and football intelligence made him an attractive prospect for college programs seeking to build their defensive units. At Mount Vernon High School, he established himself as a defensive standout, catching the attention of scouts from the University of South Dakota and other programs. The guidance and competition he faced in high school helped shape his development as a future professional athlete.
Path to Professional Football
After completing high school, Cochrane enrolled at the University of South Dakota, where he joined the South Dakota Coyotes football program. He played for the Coyotes from 2017 through 2021, developing into one of the conference’s top linebackers. Cochrane utilized the additional year of eligibility granted to college athletes in 2020 due to the COVID-19 pandemic, returning for a fifth season with the program. During his senior season in 2021, Cochrane delivered an outstanding performance, accumulating 103 tackles and earning recognition as a key defensive leader. His consistent production and leadership qualities caught the attention of NFL scouts.
His college career concluded with him being named First-team All-MVFC (Missouri Valley Football Conference) in 2021, following an earlier Second-team All-MVFC selection in 2019. These honors validated his status as one of the top defensive players in the conference during his collegiate career.
Jack Cochrane Career
Early Career (2022)
Despite going undrafted, Cochrane’s talent was evident to the Kansas City Chiefs organization. He signed with the Chiefs as an undrafted free agent on May 1, 2022. The path to the NFL active roster proved challenging, as Cochrane was waived on August 30, 2022, during final roster cuts. However, the Chiefs quickly moved to retain him by signing him to their practice squad the following day. Cochrane’s dedication and performance in practice caught the attention of the coaching staff, and he was promoted to the Chiefs’ active roster on September 13, 2022, securing his spot on an NFL team.
Chiefs Breakthrough (2022–Present)
Cochrane’s rookie season with the Chiefs was remarkable. In his first year with the organization, he contributed to a Super Bowl championship, recording one tackle in Super Bowl LVII when the Chiefs defeated the Philadelphia Eagles 38-35. The victory marked the beginning of what would become a historic run for both Cochrane and the franchise. The following season, Cochrane continued his development as a key special teams contributor and depth linebacker. In Super Bowl LVIII, Cochrane was part of the team that defeated the San Francisco 49ers 25-22, securing back-to-back championships and cementing his place in NFL history as a two-time Super Bowl champion in his first two professional seasons.
Chiefs Era (2024–Present)
Following his impressive start to his NFL career, Cochrane demonstrated his commitment to the organization by re-signing with the Chiefs on March 11, 2024. This contract extension reflected the coaching staff’s confidence in his abilities and his importance to the team’s defensive rotation. During the 2024 season, Cochrane continued to serve as a valuable contributor on special teams and defense. However, the season took an unexpected turn when the Chiefs placed him on injured reserve on December 23, 2024, ending his on-field participation for the remainder of the campaign.
Despite the injury setback, Cochrane showed his dedication by returning to the field in 2025. He re-signed with the Chiefs on April 11, 2025, on a one-year contract worth $2.1 million. This contract reflected both the organization’s belief in his abilities and his determination to return to full health and contribute to the team’s success.
Notable Events and Milestones
Cochrane’s professional career has been defined by championship success. Winning Super Bowls LVII and LVIII in his first two seasons represents an extraordinary accomplishment for any NFL player, particularly one who entered the league as an undrafted free agent. His journey from undrafted free agent to two-time champion demonstrates his resilience and ability to perform at the highest level. His contributions in Super Bowl LVII, where he recorded a tackle in the championship game, highlighted his readiness when called upon.
Jack Cochrane Career Highlights
Throughout his time with the Kansas City Chiefs, Cochrane has established himself as a reliable special teams performer and depth linebacker. His NFL career statistics include 62 total tackles, one interception, two pass deflections, and one fumble recovery. These numbers reflect his role as a contributor in the defensive schemes and his ability to make plays when opportunities arose.
Championship Success
The centerpiece of Cochrane’s early career remains his role in the Chiefs’ back-to-back Super Bowl victories. Super Bowl LVII against the Philadelphia Eagles saw Cochrane record one tackle in the historic 38-35 victory. The following year, he was again part of the championship team that defeated the San Francisco 49ers 25-22 in Super Bowl LVIII. These two championships represent the pinnacle of professional football achievement and form the foundation of his professional legacy.
College and Conference Honors
Prior to his NFL success, Cochrane earned recognition at the collegiate level. His First-team All-MVFC selection in 2021 capped an impressive college career at South Dakota. Earlier, he earned Second-team All-MVFC honors in 2019, demonstrating his consistent performance across multiple seasons. His 103 tackles during the 2020 season highlighted his ability to be a productive defender at the FCS level.
Jack Cochrane Family
Family Background and Connection
While detailed information about Cochrane’s immediate family is not publicly available, his football lineage includes a notable connection through his high school career. Cochrane was teammates at Mount Vernon High School with Tristan Wirfs, who went on to become a prominent offensive tackle for the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. Wirfs has also achieved championship success, winning Super Bowl LV with the Buccaneers. The Mount Vernon connection represents a successful pipeline of talent from rural Iowa to professional football.
Personal Life
Cochrane continues his professional football career with the Chiefs. As a private individual, he maintains focus on his athletic career while building his legacy in the NFL. His journey from Mount Vernon, Iowa to becoming a two-time Super Bowl champion demonstrates his dedication to the sport and ability to overcome the odds as an undrafted player.
2025 Season Performance
The 2025 season represents a significant chapter in Cochrane’s career trajectory. After being placed on injured reserve in December 2024, he demonstrated his commitment to the Chiefs organization by re-signing in April 2025. This contract reflects both the organization’s belief in his abilities and his determination to return to full health and contribute to the team’s success. Cochrane’s rehabilitation and recovery from his injury position him as a key player for the Chiefs’ defense as he works toward a full return to the field.
His experience from winning back-to-back Super Bowls provides invaluable experience that can contribute to the team’s championship aspirations. The synergy between Cochrane and the Chiefs’ coaching staff continues to develop as they prepare for the upcoming season. Looking ahead, Cochrane aims to build upon his early career success while establishing himself as a more prominent figure within the Chiefs’ defensive unit. His journey from undrafted free agent to two-time champion embodies the perseverance required to succeed in the NFL, and the 2025 season offers him the opportunity to demonstrate his continued growth as a professional athlete.