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Irv Smith Jr.
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Irvin Martin Smith Jr. (born August 9, 1998) is an American professional football tight end. He played college football for the Alabama Crimson Tide and was selected in the second round of the 2019 NFL draft by the Minnesota Vikings. He also played for the Cincinnati Bengals and the Kansas City Chiefs.
Key Information
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Early life
[edit]Smith was born in New Orleans, Louisiana on August 9, 1998. Shortly after being born, he moved to Arizona where he spent the first 14 years of his life. Smith moved back to New Orleans at age 14 and attended Brother Martin High School in New Orleans, Louisiana, where he played high school football. As a senior, he had 31 receptions for 558 yards and four touchdowns. He originally committed to Texas A&M University to play college football, but changed to the University of Alabama.[1][2]
College career
[edit]After not recording a reception as a true freshman at Alabama in 2016, Smith had 14 receptions for 128 yards and three touchdowns over 14 games as a sophomore in 2017.[3] He returned to Alabama as a starter in 2018.[4][5] On January 11, 2019, Smith announced that he would declare for the 2019 NFL draft.[6]
College statistics
[edit]| Season | Team | GP | Rec | Yds | Avg | TD |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2017 | Alabama | 9 | 14 | 128 | 9.1 | 3 |
| 2018 | Alabama | 15 | 44 | 710 | 16.1 | 7 |
| Career | 24 | 58 | 838 | 14.4 | 10 | |
Professional career
[edit]| Height | Weight | Arm length | Hand span | 40-yard dash | 10-yard split | 20-yard split | 20-yard shuttle | Three-cone drill | Vertical jump | Broad jump | Bench press | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 6 ft 2+3⁄8 in (1.89 m) |
242 lb (110 kg) |
31+1⁄2 in (0.80 m) |
9+1⁄2 in (0.24 m) |
4.63 s | 1.68 s | 2.74 s | 4.33 s | 7.32 s | 32.5 in (0.83 m) |
9 ft 2 in (2.79 m) |
19 reps | |
| All values from NFL Combine[7][8] | ||||||||||||
Minnesota Vikings
[edit]
2019
[edit]Smith was drafted by the Minnesota Vikings in the second round with the 50th overall pick in the 2019 NFL Draft.[9] Smith made his NFL debut in Week 1 against the Atlanta Falcons but did not record any meaningful statistics.[10] He recorded his first reception in the next game against the Green Bay Packers.[11] He recorded a season-high and team-leading 60 receiving yards on three receptions against the Oakland Raiders in the following game.[12] He scored his first touchdown in Week 11 against the Denver Broncos on a 10-yard reception from Kirk Cousins.[13] Overall, as a rookie, he appeared in all 16 games and started six. He recorded 36 receptions for 311 receiving yards and two receiving touchdowns.[14]
2020
[edit]In Week 9, against the Detroit Lions, Smith had two receiving touchdowns in the same game for his first multi-touchdown game as a professional.[15] In Week 16 against the New Orleans Saints on Christmas Day, Smith had two receiving touchdowns during the 52–33 loss.[16] He finished the 2020 season with 30 receptions for 365 receiving yards and five receiving touchdowns in 13 games and seven starts.[17]
2021
[edit]On September 1, 2021, it was revealed that Smith underwent surgery to repair a torn meniscus, which prevented him from playing for the entire 2021 season.[18] He was placed on injured reserve that same day.[19]
2022
[edit]On November 1, 2022, Smith was placed on injured reserve after suffering an ankle injury in the Week 8 win over the Arizona Cardinals.[20] In the 2022 season, Smith had 25 receptions for 182 receiving yards and two receiving touchdowns in eight games and one start.[21] He was activated on January 7, 2023. During the Vikings' Wild Card Round loss to the New York Giants, Smith had a receiving touchdown.[22]
Cincinnati Bengals
[edit]On March 30, 2023, Smith signed a one-year, $1.75 million deal with the Cincinnati Bengals.[23] He was named the starting tight end on the depth chart to begin the season.[24] Smith suffered a hamstring injury during the Bengals' Week 3 win against the Los Angeles Rams.[25]
He caught his first touchdown pass of the season in Week 9 against the Buffalo Bills.[26] He appeared in 12 games in the 2023 season. He had 18 receptions for 115 yards and a touchdown.[27]
Kansas City Chiefs
[edit]Smith signed with the Kansas City Chiefs on March 14, 2024.[28] He was released by the Chiefs on August 27 as part of final roster cuts.[29]
Houston Texans
[edit]On September 18, 2024, Smith was signed to the Houston Texans practice squad.[30] He was promoted to the active roster on December 20.[31]
On April 21, 2025, Smith re-signed with the Texans on a one-year contract.[32] He was released from injured reserve on September 29.[33]
Personal life
[edit]Career NFL statistics
[edit]Regular season
[edit]| Year | Team | Games | Receiving | Fumbles | |||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| GP | GS | Tgt | Rec | Yds | Avg | Lng | TD | Fum | Lost | ||
| 2019 | MIN | 16 | 7 | 47 | 36 | 311 | 8.6 | 29 | 2 | 1 | 0 |
| 2020 | MIN | 13 | 7 | 43 | 30 | 365 | 12.2 | 36 | 5 | 0 | 0 |
| 2021 | MIN | DNP | |||||||||
| 2022 | MIN | 8 | 1 | 36 | 25 | 182 | 7.3 | 17 | 2 | 1 | 1 |
| 2023 | CIN | 12 | 6 | 26 | 18 | 115 | 6.4 | 14 | 1 | 1 | 1 |
| Career | 49 | 21 | 152 | 109 | 973 | 8.9 | 36 | 10 | 3 | 2 | |
Postseason
[edit]| Year | Team | Games | Receiving | Fumbles | |||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| GP | GS | Tgt | Rec | Yds | Avg | Lng | TD | Fum | Lost | ||
| 2019 | MIN | 2 | 1 | 3 | 3 | 39 | 13.0 | 21 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| 2022 | MIN | 1 | 0 | 2 | 1 | 3 | 3.0 | 3 | 1 | 0 | 0 |
| Career | 3 | 1 | 5 | 4 | 42 | 8.0 | 21 | 1 | 0 | 0 | |
References
[edit]- ^ Lopez, Andrew (January 22, 2016). "Brother Martin tight end Irvin Smith de-commits from Texas A&M, could visit LSU". NOLA.com. Retrieved August 14, 2023.
- ^ Lopez, Andrew (February 4, 2016). "Brother Martin tight end Irvin Smith signs with Alabama". NOLA.com. Archived from the original on August 14, 2023. Retrieved August 14, 2023.
- ^ Williams, Darrell (December 30, 2017). "Brother Martin alum Irv Smith's New Orleans homecoming with Alabama as sweet as sugar". The Advocate. Archived from the original on August 14, 2023. Retrieved August 14, 2023.
- ^ Paschall, David (October 12, 2018). "Tight end Irv Smith Jr. an integral part of Alabama's big-play offense". Chattanooga Times Free Press. Retrieved November 12, 2018.
- ^ Byington, Alex (November 3, 2018). "Improved blocking from tight end Smith Jr. has expanded his game, Tide offense". Montgomery Advertiser. Archived from the original on August 15, 2023. Retrieved August 14, 2023.
- ^ Scarborough, Alex (January 11, 2019). "Quinnen Williams, Jonah Williams among four from Alabama going pro". ESPN.com. Archived from the original on January 13, 2019. Retrieved January 12, 2019.
- ^ "Irv Smith Draft and Combine Prospect Profile". NFL.com. Retrieved November 11, 2019.
- ^ "Irv Smith Jr., Alabama, TE, 2019 NFL Draft Scout, NCAA College Football". draftscout.com. Archived from the original on November 10, 2021. Retrieved November 10, 2021.
- ^ Peters, Craig (April 26, 2019). "Vikings Draft Irv Smith Jr. in 2nd Round of 2019 NFL Draft". Vikings.com. Archived from the original on August 15, 2023. Retrieved August 13, 2023.
- ^ "Atlanta Falcons at Minnesota Vikings - September 8th, 2019". Pro Football Reference. Retrieved July 4, 2020.
- ^ "Minnesota Vikings at Green Bay Packers - September 15th, 2019". Pro Football Reference. Archived from the original on June 11, 2020. Retrieved July 4, 2020.
- ^ "Oakland Raiders at Minnesota Vikings - September 22nd, 2019". Pro Football Reference. Archived from the original on October 26, 2019. Retrieved July 4, 2020.
- ^ "Denver Broncos at Minnesota Vikings - November 17th, 2019". Pro Football Reference. Archived from the original on June 24, 2020. Retrieved July 4, 2020.
- ^ "Irv Smith 2019 Game Log". Pro Football Reference. Retrieved July 4, 2020.
- ^ "Detroit Lions at Minnesota Vikings - November 8th, 2020". Pro Football Reference. Archived from the original on November 15, 2020. Retrieved November 13, 2020.
- ^ "Minnesota Vikings at New Orleans Saints - December 25th, 2020". Pro Football Reference. Archived from the original on January 19, 2021. Retrieved December 26, 2020.
- ^ "Irv Smith Jr. 2020 Game Log". Pro Football Reference. Retrieved August 14, 2023.
- ^ Cronin, Courtney (September 1, 2021). "Irv Smith Jr. has meniscus surgery, out indefinitely". ESPN.com. Archived from the original on October 28, 2021. Retrieved September 1, 2021.
- ^ Peters, Craig (September 1, 2021). "Vikings Claim TE Ben Ellefson & Sign 14 to Practice Squad". Vikings.com. Archived from the original on July 19, 2023. Retrieved August 13, 2023.
- ^ Peters, Craig (November 1, 2022). "Vikings Acquire TE T.J. Hockenson; Place Smith on IR". Vikings.com. Archived from the original on November 1, 2022. Retrieved November 1, 2022.
- ^ "Irv Smith Jr. 2022 Game Log". Pro Football Reference. Archived from the original on August 14, 2023. Retrieved August 14, 2023.
- ^ "Wild Card - New York Giants at Minnesota Vikings - January 15th, 2023". Pro Football Reference. Archived from the original on February 6, 2023. Retrieved August 14, 2023.
- ^ "Bengals Sign Irv Smith Jr". Bengals.com. March 30, 2023. Archived from the original on September 13, 2024. Retrieved April 17, 2023.
- ^ Roling, Chris (September 6, 2023). "Bengals reveal first depth chart of 2023 season ahead of Week 1 vs. Browns". Bengals Wire. USA Today. Archived from the original on September 13, 2024. Retrieved December 2, 2023.
- ^ Shelton, Cole (October 5, 2023). "Irv Smith Jr. injury update: Latest on Bengals TE for Week 5". www.sportskeeda.com. Retrieved December 2, 2023.
- ^ Clark, Dave (November 5, 2023). "Irv Smith Jr, Cincinnati TE, opens Buffalo game with his first touchdown as a Bengal". The Enquirer. Archived from the original on November 6, 2023. Retrieved May 20, 2024.
- ^ "Irv Smith Jr. 2023 Game Log". Pro Football Reference. Archived from the original on May 20, 2024. Retrieved May 20, 2024.
- ^ McMullen, Matt (March 14, 2024). "Five Things to Know About New Chiefs TE Irv Smith Jr". Kansas City Chiefs. Archived from the original on March 14, 2024. Retrieved May 20, 2024.
- ^ Alper, Josh (August 27, 2024). "Chiefs release Irv Smith Jr., waive Louis Rees-Zammit in cut to 53 players". Archived from the original on August 28, 2024. Retrieved August 28, 2024.
- ^ "Houston Texans Transactions (09-18-2024)". HoustonTexans.com. September 18, 2024. Retrieved February 25, 2025.
- ^ Thompson, Cole (December 20, 2024). "Texans sign former starting TE to active roster ahead of Chiefs game". Texans Wire. USA Today. Retrieved February 25, 2025.
- ^ "The Houston Texans made a roster move". HoustonTexans.com. April 21, 2025.
- ^ "Houston Texans Transactions (9-29-2025)". houstontexans.com. Retrieved September 30, 2025.
- ^ Zenitz, Matt (July 3, 2017). "Promising Alabama tight end following in father's footsteps". AL.com. Archived from the original on November 12, 2018. Retrieved November 12, 2018.
External links
[edit]
Wikimedia Commons has media related to Irv Smith Jr..
- Career statistics from NFL.com · ESPN · Yahoo Sports
- Alabama Crimson Tide bio
- Irv Smith Jr. on Twitter
Irv Smith Jr.
View on Grokipediafrom Grokipedia
Early life
Family background
Irv Smith Jr. was born on August 9, 1998, in New Orleans, Louisiana.[2] His father, Irv Smith Sr., is a former NFL tight end who was selected in the first round of the 1993 NFL Draft by the New Orleans Saints and played five seasons with the team from 1993 to 1997, followed by one season each with the San Francisco 49ers in 1998 and the Cleveland Browns in 1999.[12] His uncle, Ed "EZ" Smith, was also an NFL tight end in the 1980s and 1990s.[5] His mother, Rose Matamoros, has been a key source of support throughout his life.[13] The family shared custody of Smith Jr. after his parents separated shortly after his birth.[14] Smith Jr. spent his early childhood in Scottsdale, Arizona, near Phoenix, where he developed an initial passion for basketball, playing on club teams and showing early athletic promise through activities like dribbling a basketball at age two or three.[13] At around age 14, prior to his ninth-grade year, his mother relocated the family back to New Orleans, drawn by longstanding family ties to the area.[14] This move marked a significant transition in his upbringing, reconnecting him to his birthplace and the Saints' community where his father had begun his professional career. The elder Smith Sr.'s NFL experience profoundly shaped his son's early exposure to football, as he shared insights from his playing days and encouraged Smith Jr. to consider the tight end position given his physical build, despite the younger Smith's initial preference for basketball and other sports.[4] Family activities, such as playing catch together, fostered this connection, with Smith Jr. often emulating his father by wearing his old football gear during informal sessions.[13] The family's emphasis on athletic development and mutual support provided a stable foundation for his pursuits leading into organized sports.High school career
Irv Smith Jr. attended Brother Martin High School in New Orleans, Louisiana, beginning as a freshman in 2013. During his sophomore year, he transitioned from wide receiver to tight end, a move that better aligned with his physical build and athletic skills, allowing him to excel in the position.[6] As a senior in 2016, Smith recorded 31 receptions for 558 yards and four touchdowns, earning honorable mention All-State honors from the Louisiana Sports Writers Association.[15][7] His performance highlighted his versatility as a receiver and blocker, contributing significantly to Brother Martin's offensive success. Regarded as a four-star recruit by major scouting services, Smith ranked as the No. 5 tight end nationally and No. 7 overall in Louisiana according to ESPN. He committed to the University of Alabama in February 2017, choosing the Crimson Tide over finalists including LSU and Notre Dame, influenced in part by his family's deep roots in New Orleans.College career
University of Alabama
Smith arrived at the University of Alabama as a highly touted recruit and enrolled early, allowing him to participate in spring practices ahead of his true freshman season in 2016. As a true freshman, he saw limited action in nine games, primarily focusing on development behind established tight ends like O.J. Howard, without recording any receptions.[16][7] This period emphasized his adjustment to the college level and the Crimson Tide's demanding system under head coach Nick Saban. In his sophomore year of 2017, Smith emerged in a supporting role, appearing in all 14 games with four starts and contributing 14 receptions for 128 yards and three touchdowns.[16][7] His efforts helped Alabama secure the College Football Playoff National Championship, marking a key step in his growth as a versatile tight end capable of blocking and receiving in high-stakes matchups. By his junior season in 2018, Smith had evolved into a starter and focal point of the offense, hauling in 44 receptions for 710 yards and seven touchdowns over 15 games.[16] He earned second-team All-SEC honors from the conference coaches and was named a semifinalist for the John Mackey Award, recognizing the nation's top tight end.[17][18] A standout performance came in the College Football Playoff semifinal at the Capital One Orange Bowl against Oklahoma, where he recorded two receptions for 19 yards, aiding Alabama's 45-34 victory before their appearance in the national championship game.[19] Following the 2018 season, Smith declared for the 2019 NFL Draft on January 11, 2019, alongside teammates like Quinnen Williams and Jonah Williams, expressing confidence in his readiness for professional football after three seasons of progressive contributions to two College Football Playoff teams.[20]College statistics
Irv Smith Jr. recorded the following receiving statistics during his college career at the University of Alabama from 2016 to 2018.[16]| Year | Games Played | Receptions | Receiving Yards | Yards per Reception | Touchdowns | Longest Reception |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2016 | 9 | 0 | 0 | 0.0 | 0 | 0 |
| 2017 | 14 | 14 | 128 | 9.1 | 3 | 25 |
| 2018 | 15 | 44 | 710 | 16.1 | 7 | 68 |
| Career | 38 | 58 | 838 | 14.4 | 10 | 68 |
Professional career
2019 NFL Draft
Smith entered the 2019 NFL Draft process as a highly regarded tight end prospect from the University of Alabama, where his performance in college contributed to his rising stock amid the program's tradition of developing versatile tight ends.[21] At the NFL Scouting Combine in Indianapolis, he showcased his athleticism with a 40-yard dash time of 4.63 seconds, tying for third-best among tight ends, and a vertical jump of 32.5 inches.[21] He also completed 19 bench press repetitions, demonstrating functional strength, though his overall athleticism score ranked 10th among tight ends at the event.[21] During Alabama's pro day on March 19, 2019, Smith participated in additional workouts, including route-running drills and blocking exercises, which allowed NFL scouts to evaluate his technique in a more football-specific setting following his combine performance.[22] Scouting reports highlighted his athleticism, quickness in route-running, and reliable hands as a receiver, positioning him as a Day 2 selection capable of contributing as a mismatch weapon in the passing game.[23] Analysts noted his fluid movement and ability to separate from defenders, though they identified areas for growth in run-blocking consistency and adding upper-body mass to handle NFL defenders.[24] The Minnesota Vikings selected Smith in the second round, 50th overall, in the 2019 NFL Draft held in Nashville, Tennessee, adding a dynamic tight end to complement their offensive scheme under quarterback Kirk Cousins.[25] He signed his rookie contract on May 2, 2019, a four-year deal worth $5,798,436, fully guaranteed at $2,995,606, including a $2,237,040 signing bonus.[26] This agreement made him the highest-drafted 2019 rookie to sign at that point, reflecting the Vikings' investment in his potential as a versatile contributor.[27]Minnesota Vikings (2019–2022)
Smith was selected by the Minnesota Vikings in the second round of the 2019 NFL Draft and signed a four-year, $5.798 million rookie contract, including a $2.237 million signing bonus. As a rookie in 2019, he appeared in all 16 games, starting seven, and recorded 36 receptions for 311 yards and two touchdowns, primarily serving as a backup to veteran tight end Kyle Rudolph while showing promise in the passing game.[2] His role was limited by the established depth chart, but he contributed in key moments, including a touchdown catch in Week 1 against the Atlanta Falcons.[28] In 2020, Smith experienced a breakout season, playing in 13 games with seven starts and tallying 30 receptions for 365 yards and a team-leading five touchdowns among tight ends, emerging as a reliable red-zone target for quarterback Kirk Cousins.[28] However, his momentum was halted in 2021 when he suffered a torn meniscus in his knee during the preseason finale against the Kansas City Chiefs in August, undergoing surgery on September 1 that sidelined him for the entire season.[29] The injury prevented any on-field contribution that year, marking a significant setback in his development.[30] Returning in 2022, Smith faced further challenges, starting with a thumb injury during training camp that required surgery but allowed him to play in the first eight games, where he had 25 receptions for 182 yards and two touchdowns in one start.[31] His season was cut short on November 1 when he was placed on injured reserve due to a high ankle sprain sustained in Week 8 against the Arizona Cardinals, limiting his ability to build on prior performances amid competition from Kyle Rudolph.[31] Over his Vikings tenure from 2019 to 2022, Smith appeared in 37 games with 15 starts, accumulating 91 receptions for 858 yards and nine touchdowns, transitioning from a rotational player to a more prominent role following the 2020 campaign.[2] As an unrestricted free agent entering the 2023 offseason, Smith was not re-signed by the Vikings, who opted to bolster their tight end group with other additions like Josh Oliver, ending his four-year stint with the team.[32]Cincinnati Bengals (2023)
On March 28, 2023, Irv Smith Jr. agreed to a one-year contract with the Cincinnati Bengals worth $1.75 million, including a $400,000 signing bonus and up to $250,000 in incentives.[33][34] The deal positioned him as a potential starter at tight end following Hayden Hurst's departure in free agency, leveraging his prior experience from the Minnesota Vikings to provide depth in the passing game.[35] During the 2023 season, Smith appeared in 12 games for the Bengals, starting four, and recorded 18 receptions for 115 yards and one touchdown.[2] He primarily served in a rotational role behind Drew Sample and Tanner Hudson, contributing as a backup tight end with limited snaps after an early injury setback.[36] His lone touchdown came on a 7-yard reception from quarterback Joe Burrow in Week 10 against the Buffalo Bills.[3] Smith suffered a hamstring strain during the Week 2 win over the Baltimore Ravens, which rendered him doubtful for Week 3 against the Cleveland Browns and led to him being ruled out for that game and Week 4 versus the Tennessee Titans.[37][38] He returned in Week 5 but remained limited in playing time for the remainder of the season, appearing in the final regular-season game against the Browns as a healthy scratch. The Bengals finished 9-8 and missed the playoffs, but Smith's contributions helped bolster the tight end group during a late-season push that kept Cincinnati in contention.[2] He was not re-signed after the season and entered free agency in March 2024.[39]Kansas City Chiefs (2024)
On March 14, 2024, the Kansas City Chiefs signed tight end Irv Smith Jr. to a one-year contract worth $1.29 million, with only $384,000 guaranteed, to bolster depth behind All-Pro tight end Travis Kelce following Smith's free agency departure from the Cincinnati Bengals.[40][9] Smith participated in training camp and preseason games, where he recorded receptions including a notable 20-yard catch against the Detroit Lions on August 17, demonstrating potential as a pass-catching option amid competition from Noah Gray, Blake Bell, and rookie Jared Wiley.[41][42] Despite his efforts, he did not appear in any regular-season games for the Chiefs. On August 27, 2024, the Chiefs waived Smith during final cuts to the 53-man roster, citing stiff competition from younger tight ends like Gray and Wiley who secured spots ahead of him in the depth chart.[43][44] Following the release, Smith briefly entered free agency before signing with the Houston Texans' practice squad on September 18, 2024.[45]Houston Texans (2024–present)
On September 18, 2024, following his release from the Kansas City Chiefs, Irv Smith Jr. signed to the Houston Texans' practice squad, providing depth at tight end after an injury to a key player opened the opportunity.[46] He was elevated to the active roster for several games during the 2024 season but did not record any statistics in those appearances. On December 20, 2024, Smith was officially promoted from the practice squad to the 53-man roster, where he played in five games, primarily contributing on special teams and with minimal offensive snaps, resulting in zero receptions.[47] Smith re-signed with the Texans on April 21, 2025, to a one-year contract valued at $1.23 million, securing his position within the team's tight end group ahead of the 2025 training camp.[48] However, his preseason was disrupted by an ankle sprain sustained on August 26, 2025, during the finale against the Detroit Lions, leading to his placement on injured reserve without a return designation.[49] He did not appear in any games during the 2025 season. He was released from injured reserve on September 29, 2025, becoming an unrestricted free agent.[50] As of November 2025, Smith remains an unsigned free agent.[2]Personal life
Family
Irv Smith Jr. was born to Irv Smith Sr., a former NFL tight end who played seven seasons from 1993 to 1999, primarily with the New Orleans Saints, accumulating 183 receptions for 1,788 yards and 15 touchdowns over 95 games.[12] After retiring from professional football, Smith Sr. transitioned into off-field roles, including co-hosting the sports radio show "EZ Sports Talk" with his brother Ed Smith in Phoenix, Arizona, which emphasized family values of perseverance and community involvement that influenced his son's approach to his career.[51] Smith Sr.'s experiences, including navigating team relocations during his playing days, instilled in his son a strong emphasis on family unity amid professional uncertainties.[14] Smith Jr.'s mother, Rose Matamoros, played a pivotal role in providing family stability following her separation from Smith Sr. in 1999, when they shared custody of their young son; she relocated with him back to New Orleans from Arizona, helping him adapt after early life moves tied to his father's NFL career.[52] Matamoros has remained a steadfast supporter, offering emotional guidance during key moments, such as after Smith Jr.'s ACL injury diagnosis in 2021, and continues to represent the family's grounding presence amid his frequent team transitions.[53] Her efforts fostered a close-knit dynamic that has sustained Smith Jr. through relocations from Minnesota to Cincinnati, Kansas City, and Houston.[54] The Smith family extends to Smith Sr.'s brother, Ed "EZ" Smith, a former NFL tight end who played for the Atlanta Falcons, Detroit Lions, and Philadelphia Eagles from 1997 to 1999, further embedding a legacy of athletic resilience and familial encouragement in Smith Jr.'s life.[55] As of 2025, Smith Jr. has no publicly noted marriage or children, prioritizing his professional commitments while drawing on this tight family network for support during career shifts.[52]Off-field interests
Outside of his professional football career, Irv Smith Jr. has been actively involved in community initiatives, particularly those benefiting youth in his hometown of New Orleans. He hosts the annual "Be the Change" youth football camp, which began in 2020 and emphasizes personal development and skill-building for young athletes; the second edition in 2021 drew local participants inspired by Smith's roots in the city.[56] Smith has also supported cancer-related causes through NFL programs. In 2022, he participated in the league's "My Cause, My Cleats" campaign, highlighting the American Cancer Society to raise awareness and funds during games. This effort was partly motivated by personal family connections, including reflections on his late grandfather's influence in health advocacy. Earlier, in 2021, he joined teammates for a charity softball game benefiting various youth and community organizations. Additionally, he has supported the GO2 Foundation for Lung Cancer through similar NFL initiatives.[57][58][59] In 2025, Smith continued his community engagement by visiting the National Museum of African American History and Culture with students from Project Success Org, sharing insights on history and personal growth.[60] On social media, Smith maintains a public presence on Instagram under the handle @swervinirvin_, where he shares updates on his career, training routines, and occasional fitness-related content, amassing over 111,000 followers as of late 2024. His online activity reflects a focus on motivational posts rather than extensive commercial endorsements.[61] Smith maintains a relatively low-profile lifestyle, with no notable controversies or public disputes reported, prioritizing community engagement and family over high-visibility pursuits.Career NFL statistics
Regular season
Irv Smith Jr. has appeared in 54 regular season games as of November 17, 2025, recording 109 receptions for 973 receiving yards and 10 receiving touchdowns across multiple teams. His career averages 8.9 yards per reception, and he has lost 1 fumble during regular season play. Low-production seasons, such as 2021 and 2024–2025, were impacted by injuries that limited his availability. Smith has not recorded any statistics in the 2025 season due to being placed on injured reserve without a return designation early in the year.[2][62] The following table summarizes his year-by-year regular season receiving statistics:| Year | Team(s) | Receptions | Yards | Touchdowns |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2019 | Minnesota Vikings | 36 | 311 | 2 |
| 2020 | Minnesota Vikings | 30 | 365 | 5 |
| 2021 | Minnesota Vikings | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| 2022 | Minnesota Vikings | 25 | 182 | 2 |
| 2023 | Cincinnati Bengals | 18 | 115 | 1 |
| 2024 | Houston Texans | 0 | 0 | 0 |