Messiah Swinson is an American professional football tight end who currently plays for the Green Bay Packers of the National Football League. Standing 6 feet 7 inches tall and weighing 259 pounds, Swinson plays the tight end position. He played college football at Missouri and Arizona State before entering the NFL as an undrafted free agent in 2024.
Messiah Swinson Bio
Messiah Swinson is an American football tight end who has spent his early professional career developing through practice squad rosters with multiple NFL franchises. Known for his imposing physical stature at the tight end position, Swinson began his football journey in New York before establishing himself as a collegiate player at two major programs. His path through college football and into the professional ranks reflects the perseverance required for undrafted players seeking to earn roster spots in the league.
Early Life and Background
Messiah Swinson was born on April 20, 2000, in Bay Shore, New York. He attended Long Island Lutheran High School located in Brookville, New York, where he developed as a football player. Coming out of high school, Swinson was rated as a three-star recruit, indicating moderate college interest from major programs. His performance during his high school career earned him the opportunity to continue his football journey at the collegiate level.
Path to American Football
Swinson committed to play college football for the Missouri Tigers upon completing high school. His recruitment as a three-star prospect represented the beginning of his development path toward professional football. The transition from high school to major college football required adjustment to the increased speed and complexity of the game at the NCAA Division I level.
Messiah Swinson Career
Missouri Career (2018–2021)
Swinson began his college football career at the University of Missouri, where he played for the Tigers from 2018 to 2021. During his four-year tenure with Missouri, he appeared in 23 games and recorded seven receptions for 84 yards. His contributions during this period came primarily on special teams and as a backup tight end in the offensive scheme. After the conclusion of the 2021 season, Swinson made the decision to enter the NCAA transfer portal, seeking a new opportunity to showcase his abilities.
Arizona State Career (2022–2023)
Swinson transferred to Arizona State University to continue his college football career with the Sun Devils. His two-year stint at Arizona State from 2022 to 2023 proved to be more productive than his time at Missouri. He appeared in 24 games and recorded 21 receptions for 233 yards and two touchdowns. The increased production demonstrated his development as a pass-catcher and red-zone threat during his senior seasons of college football.
Professional Career
After not being selected in the 2024 NFL Draft, Swinson signed with the Green Bay Packers as an undrafted free agent in April 2024. This marked the beginning of his professional football career as he sought to prove himself at the highest level of the sport. His journey reflects the challenging path many undrafted players face in their attempts to earn a permanent spot on an NFL roster.
On September 3, 2024, the Carolina Panthers signed Swinson to their active roster off the Packers practice squad. He appeared in games with the Panthers during his brief tenure with the team. He was waived by Carolina on September 24, 2024, and returned to the Packers organization shortly afterward.
On September 26, 2024, Swinson signed with the Green Bay Packers practice squad. He signed a reserve/future contract with Green Bay on January 13, 2025, securing his place with the organization heading into the 2025 season. On August 26, 2025, Swinson was released by the Packers as part of final roster cuts before the regular season began.
Swinson continued his journeyman professional career when he was signed to the San Francisco 49ers practice squad on September 10, 2025. He was later released by the 49ers on October 21, 2025. He joined the Arizona Cardinals practice squad on October 30, 2025, before being released on December 30, 2025.
Green Bay Packers (Third Stint) (2026–Present)
Swinson returned to the Green Bay Packers organization on January 6, 2026, when he was signed to the practice squad. He signed a reserve/future contract with Green Bay on January 12, 2026, securing his place with the team for the 2026 season. This marked his third stint with the Packers organization, demonstrating the continuity of his connection with the team despite his travels through the league.
Career Statistics
Swinson has appeared in games with the Carolina Panthers during his professional career. His NFL career statistics reflect his development as a tight end at the professional level. The majority of his playing time has come on special teams and as a depth player at the tight end position.
2025 Season Performance
The 2025 season represented a year of transition and opportunity for Swinson as he moved between multiple NFL organizations. His season began with the Green Bay Packers before he was released during final roster cuts in August. Following his release from Green Bay, Swinson joined the San Francisco 49ers practice squad, where he continued to develop and await his opportunity. After his release from the 49ers, he signed with the Arizona Cardinals practice squad in late October and remained with the organization through the end of the year. His ability to remain in the league through practice squad stints demonstrated his value as a developmental tight end prospect. The experience gained from playing in multiple systems and working with different coaching staffs contributed to his ongoing development as a professional player.