Andre Chachere Bio
Andre Maleek Chachere is an American former professional football safety who spent several seasons in the National Football League. Born and raised in Fresno, California, he built his career through perseverance, practice squad opportunities, and steady contributions on special teams. After going undrafted in the 2018 NFL draft, he appeared for multiple organizations, including the Houston Texans, Detroit Lions, Arizona Cardinals, Carolina Panthers, Indianapolis Colts, Philadelphia Eagles, and Jacksonville Jaguars, before announcing his retirement in April 2026. Chachere became known for his positional flexibility, having transitioned from cornerback to safety, and for his reliability on coverage units.
Early Life and Background
Andre Maleek Chachere was born on February 10, 1996, in Fresno, California, where he was also raised. He attended Clovis West High School in Fresno, developing into a competitive football player during his formative years. Growing up in a household rooted in athletics, he was influenced by his father, Derrick Chachere, who played seven seasons in the Arena Football League from 1995 to 2002. This family connection to professional football gave Andre an early understanding of the demands and discipline required at the highest levels of the game.
At Clovis West, Chachere honed the coverage and tackling skills that would later define his professional profile. His development in high school set the stage for a college recruitment, and he committed to San Jose State University, where he would spend the next chapter of his career. The combination of athletic heritage and a strong local football culture in Fresno helped shape his competitive foundation.
Path to Professional Football
Chachere enrolled at San Jose State University, where he played for the San Jose State Spartans from 2014 to 2017. Initially recruited as a cornerback, he spent his freshman season contributing primarily on special teams before earning a starting role for his final three seasons. Over 49 career games with the Spartans, he recorded 122 total tackles, 4.5 tackles for loss, three forced fumbles, seven interceptions, and 27 passes defended. His college resume reflected a player capable of impacting the game in multiple ways.
One of the defining moments of his college career came in the 2015 Cure Bowl, when San Jose State defeated Georgia State 27-16. In that contest, Chachere secured an interception in the end zone during the final minute, sealing the victory. He graduated from San Jose State in May 2018 with a bachelor’s degree in communication studies, having completed his academic and athletic obligations. Going undrafted in the 2018 NFL draft, he signed with the Houston Texans as an undrafted free agent, beginning a professional journey marked by persistence and adaptability.
Andre Chachere Career
Early Career (2018-2019)
Chachere signed with the Houston Texans as an undrafted free agent on May 11, 2018. He was waived during final roster cuts on September 1, then re-signed to the Texans’ practice squad the following day. On November 21, 2018, he was signed to the Detroit Lions’ practice squad, and he was promoted to the active roster on December 29. He appeared briefly for Detroit before being waived on August 30, 2019. These early stints established a pattern of movement between practice squads and active rosters that would shape his early professional years.
On September 11, 2019, Chachere joined the Arizona Cardinals’ practice squad, only to be released on October 11. Shortly afterward, he signed with the Carolina Panthers’ practice squad on October 21. By December 18, 2019, he returned to the Arizona Cardinals when the team signed him off the Panthers’ practice squad. Although his on-field statistics remained limited during this period, his ability to remain with multiple organizations demonstrated his value as a versatile reserve player.
Indianapolis Colts and Philadelphia Eagles Era (2020-2022)
After a tryout with the Tennessee Titans in August 2020, Chachere signed with the Indianapolis Colts on August 23, 2020. He was waived on September 5 and re-signed to the practice squad the next day. On January 10, 2021, he signed a reserve/futures contract with the Colts, only to be waived again on September 1, 2021. His Colts tenure reflected the ongoing challenge of securing a stable roster position.
On September 2, 2021, the Philadelphia Eagles claimed Chachere off waivers, beginning the most extended and visible stretch of his career. During his first three games, he served primarily as a gunner on special teams while also serving as a backup nickelback and safety. A brief placement into COVID-19 protocols in late December 2021 caused him to miss one game, but he returned to the active roster in early January 2022. He re-signed with the Eagles on March 15, 2022, and although he was waived and re-signed to the practice squad several times, he remained a valued special teams contributor. On February 17, 2023, he signed a reserve/future contract with Philadelphia before being waived on May 8.
Arizona Cardinals and Jacksonville Jaguars Era (2023-2025)
On May 9, 2023, Chachere was claimed off waivers by the Arizona Cardinals for the third time in his career. After being waived and re-signed to the practice squad, he was promoted to the active roster on September 16, 2023. He remained with the Cardinals into the 2024 offseason before being waived on August 27, 2024. His return to Arizona reflected the organization’s familiarity with his skill set and his comfort within the team’s defensive structure.
On September 12, 2024, Chachere joined the Jacksonville Jaguars’ practice squad, but he was released on October 7. He then returned to the Arizona Cardinals, signing with their practice squad on November 18, 2024. Chachere was promoted to the active roster on January 4, 2025. On April 10, 2026, he announced his retirement from professional football, closing a career that spanned multiple organizations and relied on toughness, adaptability, and a willingness to contribute in any role asked of him.
Driving Style and Strengths
Chachere’s professional identity centered on versatility and special teams excellence. His transition from cornerback in college to safety in the NFL allowed him to cover slot receivers, play deep zones, and support the run game. Coaches valued his tackling discipline, his awareness in coverage, and his effort on special teams units, where he served as a dependable gunner and core-four player throughout his career.
Notable Events and Milestones
Among Chachere’s most memorable career moments was his late-game interception in the 2015 Cure Bowl, which helped secure San Jose State’s bowl victory. In the NFL, his repeated practice squad promotions, including his January 2025 elevation to the Cardinals’ active roster, underscored his reputation as a reliable depth piece. His career NFL statistics include 51 total tackles and 3 pass deflections across his stints on active rosters.
Andre Chachere Career Highlights
Across his NFL career, Andre Chachere recorded 51 total tackles and 3 pass deflections while contributing extensively on special teams for multiple organizations. Although he did not appear in a Pro Bowl, his value to each franchise was reflected in the frequency with which teams brought him back, including four separate stints with the Arizona Cardinals. His career trajectory from undrafted free agent to multi-year special teams contributor stands as a milestone in itself.
Team Affiliations and Tenure
Chachere appeared for the Houston Texans, Detroit Lions, Arizona Cardinals, Carolina Panthers, Indianapolis Colts, Philadelphia Eagles, and Jacksonville Jaguars. His longest continuous stretch came with the Philadelphia Eagles from 2021 to 2022, where he established himself as a core special teams player. His repeated returns to Arizona highlight the trust he built within the Cardinals’ organization and the consistency of his preparation.
Special Teams and Defensive Role
Throughout his NFL tenure, Chachere’s primary role was on special teams, where he served as a gunner and on coverage units. When called upon defensively, he filled in at safety and nickelback, providing depth and experience. His willingness to embrace these roles allowed him to extend his career through several seasons and multiple transitions between practice squads and active rosters.
Andre Chachere Family
Family Background and Football Lineage
Andre Chachere’s most direct football lineage comes from his father, Derrick Chachere, who played seven seasons in the Arena Football League from 1995 to 2002. Derrick’s professional career provided Andre with an early and concrete example of what a football career could look like. Growing up in Fresno, California, Andre was surrounded by a family that valued athletic competition and professional discipline.
Personal Life
Andre Maleek Chachere was raised in Fresno, California, and continues to be identified publicly with his hometown. He completed his higher education at San Jose State University, earning a bachelor’s degree in communication studies in May 2018. Beyond his football commitments, he is known for his work ethic and steady presence within the locker rooms of the multiple NFL organizations he represented.
2025 Season Performance
Heading into the 2025 NFL season, Andre Chachere was promoted to the Arizona Cardinals’ active roster on January 4, 2025, after spending the late 2024 season on the team’s practice squad. His promotion positioned him to contribute on special teams and provide depth in the Cardinals’ secondary. Throughout his Cardinals tenures, he remained a familiar presence for the coaching staff, valued for his preparation and his understanding of the team’s schemes.
Although his on-field statistics remained modest, his role as a core special teams player provided the Cardinals with a steady veteran presence. The 2025 season represented an opportunity to continue his pattern of reliable contributions on coverage units while mentoring younger players within the secondary. His familiarity with multiple coaching staffs and defensive systems made him a flexible asset for Arizona’s roster.
Ultimately, on April 10, 2026, Chachere announced his retirement from professional football, closing a career that began in 2018 and spanned more than half a decade. His journey from undrafted free agent to multi-year special teams contributor remains a story of persistence, adaptability, and consistent effort in one of the most competitive professional leagues in the world.