Marvin Stewart Jr. Bio
Marvin Stewart Jr. (born September 16, 1995) is an American professional football safety for the Houston Texans of the National Football League (NFL). He played college football for the North Carolina Tar Heels. Stewart was selected by the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in the second round of the 2018 NFL Draft, and has also been a member of the Cleveland Browns. He has contributed significantly to his teams throughout his professional career, showcasing his skills as a defensive back in the secondary.
Early Life and Background
Marvin Stewart Jr. was born on September 16, 1995, in Arlington, Virginia, United States. He attended Yorktown High School in Arlington, where he developed his football skills and gained recognition for his defensive abilities. His high school career laid the foundation for his eventual pursuit of football at the collegiate level.
College Career at North Carolina
Stewart played college football for the North Carolina Tar Heels from 2014 to 2017. During his sophomore season, he was suspended from the team due to a violation of team rules, along with teammate Mike Hughes. He was later charged with misdemeanor assault and battery, but the charges were later dropped. Stewart was reinstated less than a week later. There was speculation that Stewart would forgo his senior year and declare for the 2017 NFL Draft, but he later announced that he would return for the 2017 season.
Following his junior season in 2015, Stewart earned Second team All-Atlantic Coast Conference honors. After his senior season, he was named to the First-team All-Atlantic Coast Conference by Pro Football Focus, solidifying his status as one of the top defensive backs in the conference.
Marvin Stewart Jr. Career
Tampa Bay Buccaneers (2018–2019)
The Tampa Bay Buccaneers selected Stewart in the second round with the 53rd overall pick of the 2018 NFL Draft. Stewart was the fifth cornerback drafted in 2018. On May 10, 2018, the Buccaneers signed Stewart to a four-year contract worth $5.08 million, which included $2.48 million guaranteed and a signing bonus of $1.77 million. Throughout training camp, Stewart competed to be a starting cornerback against Ryan Smith, Vernon Hargreaves, and Carlton Davis. Head coach Dirk Koetter named Stewart the fifth cornerback on the depth chart to start the regular season, behind Brent Grimes, Hargreaves, Davis, and Smith.
He made his professional regular season debut in the Buccaneers season opener at the New Orleans Saints and recorded four solo tackles during their 48-40 victory. In that game, Hargreaves sustained a shoulder injury and was placed on injured reserve. The following week, Stewart earned his first career start in place of Hargreaves. Stewart finished the Buccaneers 27-21 win against the Philadelphia Eagles with five combined tackles. In Week 3, Stewart collected a season-high nine solo tackles and broke up a pass attempt during a 30-27 loss against the Pittsburgh Steelers. He was inactive for five games after injuring his foot. Stewart lost his role as a starting cornerback to Ryan Smith during his absence and remained a backup for the remaining games of the season. Stewart finished his rookie season with 33 combined tackles and 3 pass deflections in 11 games with 5 starts. The Buccaneers waived Stewart on August 6, 2020.
Cleveland Browns (2020–2021)
Stewart was claimed off waivers by the Cleveland Browns on August 8, 2020. In Week 4 against the Dallas Cowboys, Stewart recorded his first career sack on quarterback Dak Prescott during the 49-38 win. In Week 13 against the Tennessee Titans, Stewart recorded his first career interception off a pass thrown by quarterback Ryan Tannehill during the 41-35 win. In the Wild Card round of the playoffs against the Steelers, Stewart led the team with 10 tackles and intercepted a pass thrown by quarterback Ben Roethlisberger in the 48-37 win. On October 12, 2021, Stewart was placed on injured reserve and was later activated on November 13.
Houston Texans (2022–Present)
On March 24, 2022, Stewart signed with the Houston Texans. He immediately became a valuable contributor to the Texans secondary, bringing experience from his time in Tampa Bay and Cleveland. On March 15, 2023, Stewart signed a two-year contract extension with the Texans. He was placed on injured reserve on November 7, 2023, which ended his season prematurely.
Stewart re-signed with the Texans on March 11, 2025, for his fourth season with the team. In nine appearances for the Texans, he recorded two pass deflections, one forced fumble, and 25 combined tackles. On November 9, it was announced that Stewart would require season-ending surgery to repair a torn quadriceps suffered in Week 10 against the Jacksonville Jaguars. Despite the injury setback, Stewart signed another one-year contract extension with the Texans on March 10, 2026, demonstrating the team’s continued confidence in his abilities.
Playing Style and Strengths
Stewart is known for his versatility in the defensive backfield, capable of playing both cornerback and safety positions. His tackling ability and physicality have been consistent throughout his career. He has demonstrated the capacity to make impactful plays in crucial moments, including his playoff performance against the Steelers in 2020. Stewart’s experience across multiple teams and systems has contributed to his football intelligence and adaptability.
Marvin Stewart Jr. Career Statistics
Throughout his NFL career spanning from 2018 to 2025, Stewart has accumulated significant statistics across multiple teams including the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, Cleveland Browns, and Houston Texans. His career totals reflect his consistency and ability to contribute in various defensive roles.
NFL Career Totals
Stewart has recorded 237 total tackles, 1 sack, 15 pass deflections, 2 interceptions, 4 forced fumbles, and 4 fumble recoveries throughout his professional career. His rookie season with the Buccaneers saw him finish with 33 combined tackles and 3 pass deflections in 11 games with 5 starts. His tenure with the Browns marked several career firsts, including his first career sack and first career interception. His time with the Texans has continued to add to his career totals despite injury challenges in recent seasons.
2025 Season Performance
The 2025 season began with Stewart re-signing with the Houston Texans in March, marking his fourth season with the franchise. He appeared in nine games with four starts, recording 25 combined tackles, two pass deflections, and one forced fumble before his season was cut short. The injury occurred in Week 10 against the Jacksonville Jaguars, resulting in a torn quadriceps that required season-ending surgery.
Despite the injury setback, the Texans demonstrated their continued belief in Stewart by signing him to another one-year extension in March 2026. Stewart’s ability to bounce back from injuries and maintain his role in the league speaks to his resilience and the value he brings to his team. His leadership and experience remain important assets for a Texans organization that continues to build its roster for future success.