Hubbry Logo
Stephen CarlsonStephen CarlsonMain
Open search
Stephen Carlson
Community hub
Stephen Carlson
logo
7 pages, 0 posts
0 subscribers
Be the first to start a discussion here.
Be the first to start a discussion here.
Stephen Carlson
Stephen Carlson
Stephen Carlson
View on Wikipedia
from Wikipedia

Stephen Carlson (born December 12, 1996) is an American professional football tight end for the Chicago Bears of the National Football League (NFL). He played college football for the Princeton Tigers.

Key Information

Professional career

[edit]
Pre-draft measurables
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 4+1⁄8 in
(1.93 m) 		240 lb
(109 kg) 		32 in
(0.81 m) 		9+3⁄4 in
(0.25 m)		 4.77 s 1.64 s 2.69 s 4.19 s 6.97 s 32.5 in
(0.83 m)		 10 ft 3 in
(3.12 m)		 18 reps
All values from Pro Day[1]

Cleveland Browns

[edit]

After going undrafted in the 2019 NFL draft, Carlson signed with the Cleveland Browns as an undrafted free agent in May 2019. He was waived during final roster cuts and subsequently re-signed to the Browns' practice squad. The Browns signed Carlson to their active roster on November 1, 2019.[2] Carlson's first NFL catch was a touchdown reception from Baker Mayfield in a 21–7 victory over the Pittsburgh Steelers on November 14, 2019.[3]

He scored a two-point conversion in the Browns' match against the Dallas Cowboys on October 4, 2020, when he chased down a blocked kick that the Cowboys had fumbled towards the end zone.[4]

Carlson was given an exclusive-rights free agent tender by the Browns on March 5, 2021.[5] He signed the one-year contract on April 14.[6] The Browns placed Carlson on injured reserve on August 16, 2021.[7]

Chicago Bears

[edit]

On May 6, 2023, the Chicago Bears signed Carlson to a one-year deal after a rookie minicamp workout.[8] He was waived on August 29, 2023 and re-signed to the practice squad.[9][10] He signed a reserve/future contract on January 8, 2024.[11]

Carlson was waived by the Bears on August 27, 2024, and re-signed to the practice squad.[12][13] He was promoted to the active roster on September 24.

On March 13, 2025, Carlson re-signed with the Bears.[14] He was released on August 26 as part of final roster cuts and re-signed to the practice squad the next day.[15][16]

References

[edit]
[edit]
Revisions and contributorsEdit on WikipediaRead on Wikipedia

Stephen Carlson

View on Grokipedia
from Grokipedia
Stephen Carlson (born December 12, 1996) is an American football for the of the (). At , Carlson played and earned second-team All- honors in his senior year of 2018, recording 51 receptions for 683 yards and five touchdowns during the Tigers' championship season. He finished his college career with notable production as a key contributor to Princeton's offense. Undrafted out of college, Carlson signed with the as an undrafted in 2019 and spent his first two professional seasons there, appearing in 25 games with seven starts, six receptions for 62 yards, and one —his first score against the in Week 11 of 2019. After being waived by the Browns in 2021, he joined the ' in 2023 and has since been elevated to the active roster multiple times, including for the team's Week 10 game against the on November 9, 2025, amid potential injuries at the position. As of November 2025, Carlson enters his sixth season and continues to serve as a depth player for the Bears, having appeared in two games this year.

Early years

Early life

Stephen Carlson was born on December 12, 1996, in . He grew up in this small town in Chautauqua County, a rural area in known for its tight-knit communities. Carlson was raised by his mother, , as a , alongside his older brother, Christopher; his father was John Carlson. His mother's emphasis on hard work and discipline shaped his early development, as she worked tirelessly to provide for her sons while instilling values of independence and responsibility, often reminding them, "I don’t care what other kids are doing, they’re not you." From a young age, Carlson was exposed to sports in Jamestown's small-town environment, participating in youth football and leagues, which helped build his multi-sport foundation. The local community, including supportive coaches and peers, played a key role in fostering his passion for athletics, leading him to pursue football more seriously as opportunities arose in the area.

High school career

Carlson attended in , where he played football for the Red Raiders. As a versatile , he competed as a on offense and on defense, showcasing his athleticism across both sides of the ball. Over his high school career, Carlson amassed 134 receptions for 2,411 yards and 22 touchdowns offensively, while recording over 250 tackles defensively. His performance helped the Red Raiders secure two consecutive Section VI championships in 2013 and 2014, including a run to the Class AA state championship game in his senior year, which they won. As a senior in 2014, Carlson earned All-Western New York honors, highlighted by winning the Connolly Cup as the region's top player, along with first-team All-State recognition. During his time at Jamestown, he developed key skills in speed for route-running and tackling prowess on defense, contributing to his reputation as a dynamic athlete.

College career

2015–2016 seasons

Following his standout high school career at Jamestown High School in New York, where he demonstrated versatility across multiple positions including quarterback and , Stephen Carlson committed to in February 2015, prioritizing the institution's renowned academic rigor alongside its competitive football program. He signed to play as a while planning to pursue studies in bioengineering, later shifting to a major in ecology and , reflecting his commitment to balancing elite athletics with intellectual development at one of the nation's top universities. As a in the 2015 season, Carlson adjusted to the heightened demands of , appearing in three games with limited snaps as he developed into a specialized role, recording one reception for 5 yards. This modest output allowed him to focus on physical conditioning and team integration without the pressure of extensive playing time, marking a transition from his high school's multi-faceted contributions to a more defined offensive contributor at the Division I FCS level. His early involvement included his first collegiate catch in Princeton's season-opening 40-7 victory over Lafayette, signaling initial promise amid the Tigers' 5-5 overall record that year. Entering his sophomore year in , Carlson saw a slight increase in opportunities, participating in four games and securing two receptions for nine yards, further honing his skills during Princeton's championship campaign. Listed at 6-foot-3 and 215 pounds, he contributed sparingly off the bench, emphasizing route-running precision and blocking fundamentals as a while maintaining academic progress in his demanding coursework. This period underscored his patient emergence on a depth chart led by more experienced pass-catchers, as he balanced football responsibilities with Princeton's rigorous academic environment, laying the groundwork for greater contributions in subsequent seasons.

2017–2018 seasons

During his junior year in , Carlson saw an increased role on the , transitioning into a primary after limited production as a . He recorded 71 receptions for 935 yards and 11 touchdowns, ranking second in the in both receptions and receiving yards, which earned him second-team All- honors. As a senior in 2018, Carlson started all 10 games for the Tigers, contributing 51 receptions for 683 yards and five touchdowns while earning second-team All-Ivy League honors once again. His performance helped anchor the receiving corps alongside teammate Jesper Horsted, who led the Ivy League in receiving yards that season. Carlson's senior contributions were part of his overall college totals of 125 receptions for 1,632 yards and 16 touchdowns, placing him third all-time at Princeton in touchdown receptions, eighth in receiving yards, and tenth in receptions. That year, Carlson played a key role on Princeton's undefeated Ivy League championship team, which finished 10-0 overall and 7-0 in conference play—the program's first perfect season since 1964. As a senior leader, he emphasized the team's collective work ethic in preparation for high-stakes games, including Ivy clashes against undefeated opponents. Over his four-year career, Carlson appeared in all 40 games, demonstrating consistent availability and growth from a developmental player to a cornerstone of the offense. In preparation for the , Carlson participated in Princeton's Pro Day, where he ran the in 4.77 seconds, recorded a 32.5-inch , and completed 18 repetitions at 225 pounds. These metrics highlighted his athleticism as a 6-foot-4 receiver transitioning toward a role in the pros.

Professional career

Cleveland Browns

After going undrafted in the , Carlson signed with the as an undrafted free agent on May 3, 2019. He was released during final roster cuts on August 31, 2019, and subsequently signed to the Browns' the following day. Throughout the early part of the 2019 season, Carlson remained on the before being elevated to the active roster on November 1, 2019, to provide depth at . In his rookie season, Carlson made his NFL debut on November 10, 2019, against the , appearing in nine games with five starts primarily in a special teams role, logging 113 special teams snaps. His first significant offensive contribution came four days later on November 14, 2019, in a Thursday Night Football matchup against the , where he caught an 8-yard pass from quarterback in the fourth quarter, securing a 21-7 victory and marking his first NFL reception. For the season, Carlson recorded five receptions for 51 yards and one , contributing to 204 offensive snaps. Carlson secured a spot on the Browns' 53-man roster heading into the 2020 season and appeared in all 16 games, starting two, while expanding his role on special teams with 336 snaps. Offensively, his contributions remained limited, with one reception for 11 yards, but he scored via a two-point conversion on October 4, 2020, against the Dallas Cowboys, recovering a blocked extra point attempt in the end zone after Odell Beckham Jr.'s touchdown to extend the lead to 49-38 in a 49-38 win. His performance in the 2020 Pro Day at Princeton, where he showcased strong blocking and route-running skills, had factored into his initial undrafted signing the prior year. The Browns re-signed Carlson to a one-year exclusive rights on April 14, 2021. However, he suffered a during the first preseason game against the on August 14, 2021, leading to his placement on injured reserve on August 16, 2021, which caused him to miss the entire regular season. While on injured reserve, Carlson was briefly placed on the reserve/ list on December 6, 2021, before being activated on December 16, 2021, reverting to injured reserve. He was not tendered a by the Browns in the 2022 offseason, becoming an unrestricted . Over his three seasons with the Browns from 2019 to 2021, Carlson appeared in 25 games, recording six receptions for 62 yards and one , primarily serving as a depth and special teams contributor.

Chicago Bears

Carlson signed with the on May 6, 2023, following a period away from the after his release from the Cleveland Browns in 2021. His prior experience with the Browns provided foundational exposure that aided his adaptation to the Bears' system. In the 2023 season, Carlson spent the majority of his time on the Bears' , with elevations to the active roster for Week 1 against the and Week 10 against the . He made one appearance during the season but recorded no statistics. Carlson re-signed with the Bears ahead of the 2024 season but was limited by injury, landing on injured reserve in late September with a collarbone issue after starting on the . He did not appear in any regular-season games that year. As of November 13, 2025, Carlson is in his third season with the Bears and sixth overall in the . He re-signed with the team on March 13, 2025, and was added to the practice squad on August 28 following training camp. Carlson has been elevated multiple times, including on November 8 for the Week 10 matchup, and has appeared in two games this season—Week 4 against the Las Vegas Raiders and Week 10—primarily contributing on special teams without recording any statistics. His 2025 contract carries a cap charge of $501,666. Throughout his Bears tenure, Carlson has served as a and special teams player. A notable highlight came in the 2025 preseason, where he recorded a 36-yard catch-and-run. His career statistics remain at six receptions for 62 yards and one , all accumulated prior to joining the Bears.

Personal life and honors

Personal life

Carlson hails from , in Chautauqua County, a community that remains a significant source of pride and support throughout his life, with locals continuing to follow his career closely as a hometown success story. He often credits the tight-knit environment of Jamestown for shaping his values and providing a strong foundation, emphasizing the importance of leaning into local support systems. In his personal relationships, Carlson married Allie Rogers in June 2024 following their engagement announced the previous November; the couple met while attending together. As a figure from a small town, he serves as a for youth in Jamestown, inspiring community conversations on perseverance and local talent. Carlson graduated from Princeton University with a degree in Ecology and Evolutionary Biology, highlighting his academic pursuits outside of sports. During his tenure with the Chicago Bears, he resided in the Chicago area, though he maintains deep ties to his New York roots. Beyond football, Carlson has shown interest in business and mentorship, participating in the Harvard Business School's Crossover Into Business program designed for professional athletes transitioning careers. He has expressed intentions to apply his Princeton education in ecology post-football, potentially exploring environmental or evolutionary fields after his playing days.

Honors and recognition

In addition to his on-field achievements detailed in his early years, college, and professional career sections, Carlson has received numerous local and academic honors. At Jamestown High School, he earned first-team All- honors, two-time first-team all-state and all-league recognition, the Award as the top receiver in High School Sports (won twice), the Connolly Cup as the most outstanding player in , and The Post-Journal's Player of the Year. At , Carlson was a key contributor to the 2018 undefeated championship team, which set records for the highest-scoring offense in league history. He earned second-team All- honors as a following the 2017 season, where he ranked fourth in the with 71 receptions for 935 yards and 11 touchdowns. In his senior year of 2018, Carlson received second-team All- honors after a standout receiving season that placed him among Princeton's all-time top performers. In his professional career with the , Carlson achieved a significant milestone on November 14, 2019, when he caught an 8-yard pass from against the , marking his first reception and the first touchdown by a Chautauqua County native. This accomplishment received renewed local media attention in December 2024, highlighting its historical importance for the region ahead of his hall of fame induction. During the 2025 preseason with the , Carlson earned recognition for a 36-yard catch-and-run play in a game against the [Kansas City Chiefs](/page/Kansas_City Chiefs) on August 22, featured in official and team highlights for its athletic impact. Carlson was inducted into the Chautauqua Sports Hall of Fame as part of the class of 2025, celebrated for his contributions to Jamestown and County sports, including his NFL achievements as the county's first scoring player. The induction banquet occurred on February 17, 2025, at the Lakewood Rod and Gun Club, where he was honored alongside other local athletes.

References

  1. https://www.pro-football-reference.com/players/C/CarlSt00.htm
  2. https://www.espn.com/nfl/player/_/id/3948283/stephen-carlson
  3. https://goprincetontigers.com/sports/football/roster/stephen-carlson/15021
  4. https://www.spotrac.com/nfl/player/_/id/29689/stephen-carlson
  5. https://www.si.com/nfl/bears/onsi/bears-elevation-of-stephen-carlson-could-result-from-tight-end-injury
  6. https://www.chicagobears.com/team/players-roster/stephen-carlson/
  7. https://www.chautauquasportshalloffame.org/stephencarlson.php
  8. https://www.post-journal.com/sports/local-sports/2021/04/carlson-10-guiding-principles-that-have-kept-me-in-the-nfl/
  9. https://ublawsportsforum.com/2023/06/02/from-jamestown-to-the-nfl-stephen-carlson-a-football-story/
  10. https://www.observertoday.com/sports/local-sports/2024/12/carlson-put-chaut-co-on-nfl-scoreboard/
  11. https://www.maxpreps.com/ny/jamestown/jamestown-red-and-green/athletes/stephen-carlson/bio/?careerid=kc5i1ihhdn888
  12. https://www.wrfalp.com/jamestown-wins-state-title-in-hs-football/
  13. https://nysphsaa.org/sports/2021/6/9/FB_0609215117.aspx
  14. https://www.wkbw.com/sports/high-school/jamestowns-carlson-wins-connolly-cup
  15. https://www.ncsasports.org/football-recruiting/new-york/jamestown/jamestown-high-school7/stephen-carlson2
  16. https://spectrumnews1.com/oh/cincinnati/high-school-football/2015/02/4/jamestown-s-stephen-carlson-signs-with-princeton
  17. https://www.princetontigersfootball.com/2017/09/carlsons-quest-to-be-the-best-extends-beyond-the-gridiron/
  18. https://www.footballdb.com/players/stephen-carlson-carlsst01
  19. https://www.espn.com/college-football/boxscore/_/gameId/400799435
  20. https://goprincetontigers.com/sports/football/roster/2016
  21. https://goprincetontigers.com/news/2018/9/19/football-senior-feature-all-ivy-wr-stephen-carlson.aspx?path=football
  22. https://goprincetontigers.com/sports/football/roster/stephen-carlson/10256
  23. https://www.towntopics.com/2019/07/03/blossoming-into-star-receiver-for-pu-football-carlson-now-aiming-to-make-cleveland-browns/
  24. https://ivyleague.com/news/2017/11/21/-ivyfootball-all-ivy-rookie-and-coach-of-the-year-announced.aspx
  25. https://www.foxsports.com/college-football/ivy-league/stats?category=receiving&groupId=25&season=2017
  26. https://www.foxsports.com/college-football/stephen-carlson-2-player-stats?category=receiving&seasonType=reg
  27. https://goprincetontigers.com/news/2018/11/17/football-a-perfect-10-princeton-clinches-first-undefeated-season-since-1964-with-42-14-win-over-penn
  28. https://ivyleague.com/news/2018/11/3/football-no-14-18-princeton-wins-battle-of-unbeatens-stays-perfect.aspx
  29. https://draftscout.com/dsprofile.php?PlayerId=1028254&DraftYear=2019
  30. https://www.chautauquasportshalloffame.org/stephencarlson2019b.php
  31. https://www.espn.com/nfl/team/transactions/_/name/cle/season/2019
  32. https://www.pro-football-reference.com/players/C/CarlSt00/gamelog/2019/
  33. https://goprincetontigers.com/news/2019/11/15/football-stephen-carlson-catches-first-nfl-touchdown-pass
  34. https://www.nfl.com/players/stephen-carlson/stats/career
  35. https://www.pro-football-reference.com/players/C/CarlSt00/gamelog/2020/
  36. https://www.espn.com/nfl/game/_/gameId/401220247/browns-cowboys
  37. https://www.dawgsbynature.com/2019/5/3/18528102/browns-confirm-the-signing-of-15-undrafted-free-agents
  38. https://www.espn.com/nfl/team/transactions/_/name/cle/season/2021
  39. https://www.cleveland.com/browns/2021/08/browns-place-stephen-carlson-ryan-switzer-on-injured-reserve-as-part-of-roster-reduction-to-85.html
  40. https://www.nbcchicago.com/news/local/bears-sign-veteran-tight-end-stephen-carlson-to-a-one-year-deal/3135567/
  41. https://www.chicagobears.com/team/players-roster/stephen-carlson/logs/
  42. https://www.chicagobears.com/team/players-roster/stephen-carlson/logs/2023/pre/
  43. https://www.foxsports.com/nfl/stephen-carlson-player
  44. https://www.cbssports.com/nfl/players/3116783/stephen-carlson/
  45. https://bearswire.usatoday.com/story/sports/nfl/bears/2025/03/13/bears-re-sign-stephen-carlson/82381849007/
  46. https://www.observertoday.com/sports/local-sports/2025/08/jamestown-native-stephen-carlson-added-to-bears-practice-squad/
  47. https://nfltraderumors.co/bears-announce-three-moves-elevate-te-stephen-carlson/
  48. https://overthecap.com/salary-cap/chicago-bears
  49. https://www.chicagobears.com/video/highlight-stephen-carlson-rumbles-for-36-yard-catch-and-run
  50. https://www.post-journal.com/life/engagements/2023/11/carlson-rogers/
  51. https://www.post-journal.com/sports/local-sports/2024/12/stephen-carlson-puts-the-county-on-nfl-scoreboard/
  52. https://www.hbs.edu/crossover/past-programs/Pages/default.aspx
  53. https://goprincetontigers.com/news/2018/4/6/football-video-as-tigers-prepare-for-spring-game-stephen-carlson-builds-on-brilliant-2017-season
  54. https://ivyleague.com/news/2018/11/20/football-all-ivy-postseason-awards-announced.aspx
  55. https://www.post-journal.com/news/latest-news/2019/11/1135-pm-jhs-grad-stephen-carlson-catches-touchdown-for-first-nfl-catch/
  56. https://mychq.org/event/43rd-annual-chautauqua-sports-hall-of-fame-induction-banquet/
Add your contribution
Related Hubs
User Avatar
No comments yet.