Nikola Kalinic Bio
Nikola Kalinic is a Canadian professional football tight end who currently plays for the Chicago Bears of the National Football League (NFL). Born in Toronto, Ontario, Kalinic has built a professional career spanning both the Canadian Football League (CFL) and the NFL. He was selected tenth overall by the Hamilton Tiger-Cats in the 2019 CFL Draft before eventually making the transition to the NFL. Listed at 6 feet 4 inches and 248 pounds, Kalinic brings size and versatility to the tight end position. He has appeared in multiple Grey Cup games during his professional career and continues to compete at the highest levels of North American football.
Early Life and Background
Nikola Kalinic was born on January 21, 1997, in Toronto, Ontario, Canada. He is of Serbian descent. Kalinic grew up in the Toronto area and attended Silverthorn Collegiate Institute for his high school education. His upbringing in Canada’s largest city placed him in a region with strong football traditions, setting the foundation for his future career in the sport.
Path to American Football
Kalinic pursued higher education at York University in Toronto, playing for the York Lions from 2015 to 2018. Over his four seasons with the Lions, he demonstrated his ability as a receiving tight end, recording 38 catches for 416 yards and two touchdowns. Notably, Kalinic became the first York football player to be named an Ontario University Athletics All-Star twice in one season, earning the distinction on both offense and special teams. This dual recognition highlighted his versatility and value to the Lions program, establishing him as a top collegiate prospect heading into professional football.
Nikola Kalinic Career
Hamilton Tiger-Cats (2019–2021)
Kalinic was selected in the second round, tenth overall, by the Hamilton Tiger-Cats in the 2019 CFL Draft and signed with the team on May 17, 2019. After making the roster following training camp, he played in his first professional game on June 13, 2019, against the Saskatchewan Roughriders. He scored his first career CFL touchdown in his second game on June 22, 2019, against the Toronto Argonauts on a 31-yard pass from Jeremiah Masoli. In his rookie season, Kalinic appeared in 16 regular season games, recording 12 receptions for 106 yards and one touchdown. He also played in his first career postseason game against the Edmonton Eskimos in the East Final, helping the Tiger-Cats advance to the 107th Grey Cup, though the team fell to the Winnipeg Blue Bombers.
The 2020 CFL season was canceled due to the global pandemic, meaning Kalinic did not play that year. He returned in 2021 and played in all 14 regular season games, recording 11 catches for 86 yards and one touchdown while also making eight special teams tackles. Kalinic played in all three postseason games that year, including his second consecutive Grey Cup appearance, where the Tiger-Cats lost again to the Blue Bombers in the 108th Grey Cup. On January 22, 2022, Kalinic was granted an early release from his contract to pursue opportunities in the NFL.
Indianapolis Colts (2022)
Following his release from Hamilton, Kalinic signed with the Indianapolis Colts of the NFL. He was waived during final roster cuts on August 30, 2022, and signed to the Colts practice squad the following day. He was promoted to the active roster on December 13, 2022, appearing in games at the end of the season. Kalinic was waived on May 4, 2023.
Los Angeles Rams (2023–2024)
Kalinic signed with the Los Angeles Rams on July 14, 2023. He was waived on August 29, 2023, and re-signed to the practice squad. On January 16, 2024, he signed a reserve/futures contract with the Rams, securing his spot for the 2024 season. He was waived again in late August 2024 and re-signed to the practice squad.
Chicago Bears (2025–Present)
On August 28, 2025, Kalinic was signed to the Chicago Bears practice squad. On January 20, 2026, he signed a reserve/futures contract, securing his place on the Bears roster for the 2026 season.
Nikola Kalinic Career Wins
Throughout his professional career, Kalinic has accumulated 23 receptions for 192 yards and two touchdowns in CFL play, along with 11 games played and two starts in NFL action. His career highlights include two Grey Cup appearances with the Hamilton Tiger-Cats.
Hamilton Tiger-Cats Highlights
During his time with the Hamilton Tiger-Cats from 2019 to 2021, Kalinic appeared in 30 regular season games, recording 23 receptions for 192 yards and two touchdowns. His finest moment came in his second professional game when he scored on his first career reception against the Toronto Argonauts. Kalinic played in two consecutive Grey Cup games, helping the Tiger-Cats reach the championship in both 2019 and 2021. His playoff experience and championship-level performance established him as a reliable target in Hamilton’s offense.
Other Wins and Performances
In addition to his CFL accomplishments, Kalinic has continued to develop his NFL career with the Indianapolis Colts, Los Angeles Rams, and Chicago Bears. His ability to contribute on special teams has been a consistent element of his professional toolkit.
Nikola Kalinic Family
Family Background
Kalinic was born in Toronto, Ontario, Canada, and is of Serbian descent.
2025 Season Performance
The 2025 season marked a transitional year for Kalinic. He signed with the Atlanta Falcons in January 2025 but was waived during the preseason in August. Kalinic then joined the Chicago Bears practice squad in August 2025. Throughout the season, he appeared in 11 games with two starts, demonstrating his ability to contribute on offense and special teams. His journey from the Falcons to the Bears highlighted the competitive nature of the NFL roster process. With his practice squad signing and eventual futures contract with Chicago, Kalinic positioned himself for an expanded role in the 2026 season under a new team and coaching staff.