James Daniels Bio
James Daniels is an American professional football guard who currently plays in the National Football League. He played college football for the Iowa Hawkeyes and was selected by the Chicago Bears in the second round of the 2018 NFL Draft with the 39th overall pick. Daniels has built a solid career as an interior offensive lineman, spending time with the Chicago Bears, Pittsburgh Steelers, and Miami Dolphins. Known for his versatility across guard and center positions, he has started 85 of 91 career games in his professional career.
Early Life and Background
James Daniels was born on September 13, 1997, in Warren, Ohio. He attended Warren G. Harding High School in his hometown, where he was a three-year starter for the varsity football team. Beyond football, Daniels also participated in track and field during his high school years. His athletic abilities and football skills attracted attention from major college programs across the country.
In July 2014, Daniels committed to play football for the University of Iowa, choosing the Hawkeyes over offers from prestigious programs including Alabama, Auburn, and Ohio State. His older brother, LeShun Daniels, also played at Iowa and was signed by the New England Patriots as an undrafted free agent in 2017.
Path to the NFL
Daniels played center for the Iowa Hawkeyes from 2015 to 2017, appearing in 37 games over three seasons. His performance as a sophomore in 2016 earned him third-team All-Big Ten honors. After his junior season in 2017, Daniels made the decision to forgo his senior year and enter the 2018 NFL Draft, marking his transition from college football to the professional ranks.
His strong play at Iowa positioned him as one of the top interior offensive linemen in his draft class. The Chicago Bears selected him in the second round with the 39th overall pick, fulfilling his dream of playing in the NFL and beginning his professional journey.
James Daniels Career
Chicago Bears (2018–2021)
James Daniels joined the Chicago Bears in 2018 as a rookie. Eric Kush began the season as the starting left guard, but Daniels was gradually integrated into the lineup by splitting time at the position. His opportunity came when Kush suffered a neck injury in October, and Daniels took over as the starter against the New York Jets on October 28. He started 10 games as a rookie, with nine starts at left guard and one at right guard.
Before the 2019 season, the Bears moved Daniels to center, with Cody Whitehair shifting to left guard. In November 2019, with the offense struggling and Kyle Long placed on injured reserve, Daniels returned to his natural left guard position. The 2020 season saw an unfortunate setback when Daniels suffered a season-ending pectoral muscle tear in the fifth game against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. He was placed on injured reserve on October 14, 2020.
Pittsburgh Steelers (2022–2024)
On March 17, 2022, Daniels signed a three-year, $26.5 million contract with the Pittsburgh Steelers, marking a significant step in his career with a new team. He immediately became a starter along the Steelers offensive line. In August 2024, Daniels made history by becoming the first player to wear a Guardian Cap in any organized professional game during a preseason matchup against the Houston Texans on August 9.
The 2024 season ended prematurely for Daniels when he suffered a torn Achilles in Week 4. He was placed on season-ending injured reserve on October 1, 2024, bringing his Steelers tenure to an abrupt conclusion.
Miami Dolphins (2025)
On March 13, 2025, James Daniels signed with the Miami Dolphins on a three-year, $24 million contract. He was named the Week 1 starting right guard for his new team. However, his debut season with the Dolphins was cut short when he suffered a pectoral injury in the season opener. Daniels was placed on injured reserve on September 9, 2025.
Playing Style and Strengths
Daniels has demonstrated versatility throughout his career, effectively playing both guard and center positions. His ability to transition between positions has made him a valuable asset for multiple teams. His experience at center early in his career provided him with a strong understanding of the offensive line calls and protections, which translated well when he shifted to guard positions.
Notable Events and Milestones
Daniels reached several milestones during his career, including becoming a starter as a rookie with the Bears in 2018 and earning a significant free-agent contract with the Steelers in 2022. His selection as the 39th overall pick in the 2018 NFL Draft represented the culmination of his development from a high school prospect in Warren, Ohio, to a second-round NFL Draft selection. His career has been marked by consistent starting roles, with 85 starts across 91 career games.
James Daniels Career Statistics
Across his NFL career spanning from 2018 through the 2025 season, James Daniels has established himself as a reliable starting offensive lineman. He has appeared in 91 career games with 85 starts, demonstrating durability and consistency throughout his professional career.
NFL Career Highlights
Daniels earned third-team All-Big Ten honors during his college career at Iowa in 2016. His transition to the NFL was smooth, earning a starting role as a rookie with the Chicago Bears in 2018. His career trajectory includes two significant free-agent contracts: a three-year, $26.5 million deal with Pittsburgh in 2022 and a three-year, $24 million contract with Miami in 2025, reflecting his value as an experienced interior offensive lineman.
College Career Statistics
At Iowa, Daniels played 37 games over three seasons from 2015 to 2017. He served as the starting center for the Hawkeyes before declaring for the NFL Draft after his junior year.
| Level | Games Played | Games Started |
|---|---|---|
| NFL Career | 91 | 85 |
| College (Iowa) | 37 | 37 |
James Daniels Family
Family Background and Football Lineage
James Daniels comes from a football family. His older brother, LeShun Daniels, also pursued football at the collegiate level. The brothers were teammates at the University of Iowa, with LeShun signing with the New England Patriots as an undrafted free agent in 2017. This familial connection to football has been a defining element of James Daniels background and development as a player.
Personal Life
Daniels maintains connections to his Ohio roots. His Instagram profile indicates his ongoing engagement with fans and the football community. Beyond his athletic career, Daniels has navigated the challenges of professional football, including recovering from injuries such as his torn Achilles in 2024 and pectoral injury in 2025.
2025 Season Performance
The 2025 season marked a new chapter for James Daniels with the Miami Dolphins. After signing a three-year, $24 million contract in March, he was named the Week 1 starting right guard. The season opener brought immediate challenges when Daniels suffered a pectoral injury during the game, resulting in his placement on injured reserve on September 9. This injury marked the second significant pectoral injury of his career, following a similar season-ending injury in 2020 while with the Bears.
Despite the setback, Daniels demonstrated his value by earning a starting role immediately upon joining a new team. His career has shown resilience through multiple injuries, including his 2020 pectoral tear and 2024 Achilles injury. The Dolphins roster move represented his third team in four seasons, highlighting his continued demand as an experienced offensive lineman in the NFL.
Daniels was released by the Dolphins on February 16, 2026, making him available for other teams as he continues his NFL career. His professional journey reflects the physical demands of playing on the offensive line while demonstrating his ability to recover from setbacks and remain a viable NFL player.