Alex Singleton Bio
Alex Reed Singleton is a Canadian-American professional football linebacker for the Denver Broncos of the National Football League (NFL). Born on December 7, 1993, in Thousand Oaks, California, he stands 6 feet 2 inches tall and weighs about 240 pounds, and he wears jersey number 49. He is recognized for his tackling ability, special teams play, and leadership, having been named a team captain by his teammates multiple times during his NFL career.
Singleton played college football for the Montana State Bobcats before beginning his professional career in 2015. After a short stint on practice squads in the NFL, he moved north to the Canadian Football League (CFL), where he became one of the most decorated defenders in the league. He later returned to the NFL and built a reputation as a reliable starting linebacker, first with the Philadelphia Eagles and then with the Denver Broncos.
Early Life and Background
Alex Reed Singleton was born on December 7, 1993, in Thousand Oaks, California, in the United States. He grew up in Thousand Oaks and attended Thousand Oaks High School, where he began playing organized football. His mother was born in Toronto, Canada, and Singleton later obtained a Canadian passport in October 2015, which allowed him to be classified as a national player in the CFL.
Singleton’s older sister, Ashley, was born with Down syndrome and has competed as a Special Olympics athlete, earning several gold medals. Their relationship has shaped Singleton’s lifelong advocacy for the Special Olympics and disability-friendly causes, and he has supported related community events throughout his career.
Path to American Football
After finishing high school, Singleton committed to Montana State University, where he played for the Montana State Bobcats from 2011 to 2014. As a senior in 2014, his performance earned him First-team All-Big Sky Conference recognition, establishing him as one of the top defensive players in the FCS ranks.
Following his college career, Singleton entered the 2015 NFL draft but went undrafted. He signed with the Seattle Seahawks as an undrafted free agent, beginning a long journey that took him through several NFL practice squads and, eventually, into the Canadian Football League. His path reflected persistence, as he used time on practice rosters and a move to the CFL to refine his game and prove himself at the professional level.
Alex Singleton Career
Early Career (2015–2016)
Singleton was signed as an undrafted rookie free agent by the Seattle Seahawks on May 8, 2015, agreeing to a three-year contract worth $1,578,500 with a $3,500 signing bonus. He was released on September 5, 2015, and three days later he was signed to the practice squad of the New England Patriots. After being released by New England on September 15, 2015, he joined the Minnesota Vikings’ practice squad on December 22, 2015, before being released in April 2016.
Looking for a new opportunity, Singleton entered the 2016 CFL Draft and was selected by the Calgary Stampeders with the sixth overall pick. He signed with the team on May 17, 2016, and made his CFL debut on June 25, 2016, against the BC Lions. During his first CFL season, he played in all 18 regular season games plus two playoff games, recording 65 defensive tackles, 9 special teams tackles, and 3 forced fumbles.
CFL Breakthrough with the Calgary Stampeders (2016–2018)
Singleton quickly developed into one of the Calgary Stampeders’ most important defensive players. In 2017, he was announced as the team’s nominee for the CFL’s Most Outstanding Defensive Player, Most Outstanding Canadian, and Most Outstanding Player awards, sweeping all votes in the defensive and Canadian player categories. His 121 tackles going into week 20 of the 2017 CFL season were already the most in Calgary Stampeders history.
That same year, Singleton won the CFL’s Most Outstanding Defensive Player Award and the Norm Fieldgate Trophy, and he was named a CFL All-Star. In 2018, he matched his previous season with 123 tackles, added 6 special teams tackles and 2 forced fumbles, and was again named a CFL All-Star. He finished his CFL career as a Grey Cup champion in 2018, helping the Stampeders capture the league title.
Philadelphia Eagles Era (2019–2021)
On January 7, 2019, Singleton signed with the Philadelphia Eagles and joined the active roster in October 2019. He contributed on special teams during his first season and gradually worked his way into a larger defensive role. In 2020, he became a starting linebacker by Week 6 and finished the season as the Eagles’ leading tackler with 120 stops, including a 30-yard pick-six against the San Francisco 49ers in Week 4 and a 14-tackle performance against the Washington Football Team in Week 17.
In 2021, Singleton was voted a team captain by his teammates and again led the Eagles in tackles with 137, the most by any Philadelphia player in a single season since Byron Evans in 1992. He also intercepted a deflected pass against the New York Giants in Week 16 and returned it 29 yards for a touchdown, his second career pick-six. He was placed on the COVID-19 list in early January 2022 and was later activated, finishing the year as one of the league’s most productive tacklers.
Denver Broncos Era (2022–Present)
On March 18, 2022, Singleton signed a one-year contract with the Denver Broncos reportedly worth $1.1 million guaranteed with $750,000 in playing-time incentives. The move reunited him with quarterback Russell Wilson. In a Week 6 game against the Los Angeles Chargers, he recorded 19 solo tackles and 21 combined tackles, tying Derrick Brooks for the second-most solo tackles in a single game in NFL history. He finished the 2022 season ranked fifth in the NFL with 163 combined tackles.
On March 13, 2023, Singleton signed a three-year, $18 million contract extension with $9 million guaranteed. Heading into 2024, he was again voted a team captain and intercepted a pass from Geno Smith on the opening drive of the Week 1 game against the Seattle Seahawks. He ruptured his ACL in Week 3 against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers but continued to play every defensive snap before being placed on season-ending injured reserve on September 25, 2024.
During the 2025 season, Singleton started 16 games and led the Broncos with 135 tackles, earning selection as an alternate for the 2025 Pro Bowl. On January 17, 2026, in a divisional playoff game against the Buffalo Bills, he forced a fumble on running back James Cook that was recovered by teammate Talanoa Hufanga, helping Denver rally for a 33–30 overtime win. On March 10, 2026, he signed a two-year, $15.5 million contract extension with the Broncos.
Driving Style and Strengths
Singleton is known for his tackling volume, durability, and football intelligence, with the ability to play both downhill run defense and in coverage. His career-high tackle totals with both the Eagles and Broncos reflect a player who diagnoses plays quickly and arrives at the ball carrier with consistency. Teammates have repeatedly voted him a captain, underscoring the respect he commands in the locker room and on the sideline.
Notable Events and Milestones
Key milestones in Singleton’s career include winning the 2018 Grey Cup with the Calgary Stampeders, earning the 2017 CFL Most Outstanding Defensive Player Award, and tying Derrick Brooks for the second-most solo tackles in a single NFL game with 19 against the Los Angeles Chargers in 2022. His 137-tackle season with the Eagles in 2021 was the most by a Philadelphia player since 1992, and he has produced multiple pick-sixes at the NFL level.
Alex Singleton Career Wins
Singleton’s career win totals include a Grey Cup championship in 2018 with the Calgary Stampeders, highlighted by standout defensive performances across the 2017 and 2018 CFL seasons. He earned CFL All-Star honors in both 2017 and 2018, and his 2017 Most Outstanding Defensive Player Award recognized his league-leading production.
CFL Highlights
In the CFL, Singleton’s most significant wins included back-to-back CFL All-Star selections in 2017 and 2018 and a Grey Cup title in 2018. His 2017 campaign featured 121 tackles entering week 20, the most in Calgary Stampeders history, and a clean sweep of the team’s defensive and Canadian player award nominations.
Other Wins and Performances
At the college level, Singleton earned First-team All-Big Sky honors in 2014 with the Montana State Bobcats, capping a strong senior season. In the NFL, his standout individual achievements include leading the Philadelphia Eagles in tackles in both 2020 and 2021 and leading the Denver Broncos with 135 tackles in 2025.
Alex Singleton Family
Family Background and Racing Lineage
Singleton was born and raised in Thousand Oaks, California, in a bicultural household tied to both the United States and Canada. His mother was born in Toronto, which allowed him to obtain a Canadian passport in 2015 and qualify as a national player in the CFL under recently implemented league rules.
Personal Life
Singleton’s older sister, Ashley, was born with Down syndrome and is a Special Olympics athlete who has won multiple gold medals. Their close relationship has made Singleton a major advocate for the Special Olympics and other disability-friendly initiatives. In November 2025, he was diagnosed with testicular cancer and underwent surgery on November 7, 2025, while continuing to play and earning the Broncos’ 2025 Ed Block Courage Award for his courage in competing through treatment.
2025 Season Performance
Singleton’s 2025 campaign was one of the strongest of his career. He started 16 games for the Denver Broncos and led the team with 135 tackles, a performance that earned him a selection as an alternate for the 2025 Pro Bowl. His steady production helped anchor a Denver defense that returned to playoff contention.
The defining moment of the postseason came on January 17, 2026, in the divisional round against the Buffalo Bills, when Singleton forced a fumble on James Cook that was recovered by Talanoa Hufanga, helping the Broncos erase a deficit and win 33–30 in overtime. The play underscored his value as a tone-setter and finisher in critical moments.
Coming off that playoff run and his recovery from cancer treatment, Singleton signed a two-year, $15.5 million contract extension with Denver on March 10, 2026, signaling the team’s confidence in him as a defensive cornerstone. Heading into the 2026 season, he remains a captain, a leading tackler, and a central figure in the Broncos’ defensive identity.
