Austin Seibert Bio
Austin Mitchell Seibert is an American former professional football placekicker who spent several seasons in the National Football League. Born on November 15, 1996, in Belleville, Illinois, he built a reputation for accuracy and range during a college career at the University of Oklahoma, where he was named the 2018 Big 12 Special Teams Player of the Year. Selected by the Cleveland Browns in the fifth round of the 2019 NFL Draft, Seibert went on to play for the Cincinnati Bengals, Detroit Lions, New York Jets, New Orleans Saints, and Washington Commanders. He is best known in Washington for setting the franchise single-game record with seven field goals in his debut.
Early Life and Background
Austin Mitchell Seibert was born on November 15, 1996, in Belleville, Illinois, a city in the St. Louis metropolitan area known for producing competitive football talent. He grew up in the Belleville community and attended Belleville High School-West, where he first developed the kicking skills that would later define his career. Standing 5 feet 9 inches tall and competing at 211 pounds, Seibert was smaller than many of his peers, but he built his game around technique, leg strength, and consistency rather than physical stature.
During his time at Belleville West, Seibert emerged as one of the most reliable kicking prospects in the region. His high school performances drew attention from several college programs, and he ultimately committed to the University of Oklahoma, one of the premier programs for college football. The move from Belleville to Norman, Oklahoma, marked a major step in his development, exposing him to a higher level of competition and elite coaching.
Path to Professional Football
Seibert enrolled at the University of Oklahoma and joined the Oklahoma Sooners football program, where he served as both a placekicker and a punter. His versatility immediately made him a valuable asset for the Sooners, and he quickly earned recognition within the Big 12 Conference. As a freshman in 2015, he earned second-team All-Big 12 honors, signaling his early impact at the collegiate level.
Throughout his four seasons at Oklahoma, Seibert continued to refine his craft and added to his list of accolades. He was again named second-team All-Big 12 in 2017 before reaching the peak of his college career in 2018, when he was honored as the Big 12 Special Teams Player of the Year and selected to the first-team All-Big 12 squad. His strong senior season helped establish him as one of the top kicking prospects heading into the 2019 NFL Draft, where the Cleveland Browns selected him in the fifth round with the 170th overall pick.
Austin Seibert Career
Early Career (2019–2020)
Seibert signed his rookie contract with the Cleveland Browns on May 3, 2019, and won the starting kicker job out of training camp. He made his NFL debut in the Browns’ 2019 season opener against the Tennessee Titans, converting one of two extra point attempts. His first career field goal came in Week 2 against the New York Jets, when he drilled three field goals in a 23–3 victory. As a rookie, he converted 25 of 29 field goal attempts and 30 of 35 extra point attempts, earning a spot on the PFWA All-Rookie Team.
His time in Cleveland ended quickly the following season. After missing a field goal and an extra point in a Week 1 loss to the Baltimore Ravens in 2020, Seibert was waived on September 14. Just one day later, on September 15, 2020, he was claimed off waivers by the Cincinnati Bengals. With Cincinnati, he played in four games, converting six of nine field goals and all eight of his extra point attempts before being waived in August 2021 following the emergence of rookie kicker Evan McPherson.
Detroit Lions Era (2021–2022)
On September 1, 2021, the Detroit Lions claimed Seibert off waivers, adding him to their kicking corps. His first season in Detroit was disrupted by a stint on the COVID-19 reserve list in September and a hip injury that landed him on injured reserve in November. Despite the challenges, he appeared in six games and converted 10 of 12 field goal attempts along with all five of his extra point tries.
In 2022, Seibert played in three games for the Lions, converting all 12 of his extra point attempts and three of five field goal attempts. He was waived on October 6, 2022, after the team signed kicker Michael Badgley, ending his tenure in Detroit. Over his time with the Lions, he demonstrated consistency on extra points while continuing to develop his range as a field goal kicker.
New York Jets and New Orleans Saints Stints (2023)
Seibert joined the New York Jets practice squad on September 16, 2023, following an injury to starting kicker Greg Zuerlein, though he was released two weeks later. On November 28, 2023, he signed with the New Orleans Saints practice squad, but his time in New Orleans was similarly short, as he was released on December 7. He returned to the Jets practice squad on December 27, 2023, and signed a reserve/future contract in January 2024 before being released in late August 2024.
Washington Commanders Era (2024)
On September 10, 2024, Seibert signed with the Washington Commanders, quickly making an impact in his new surroundings. In just his second game with the team, he was named the NFC Special Teams Player of the Week after converting a franchise-record seven field goals in a 21–18 victory over the New York Giants, accounting for all of Washington’s points in the win. His debut performance set a Commanders record for field goals made in a single game and established him as a reliable weapon for the team’s offense.
Seibert’s 2024 season was later interrupted when he was placed on injured reserve on November 26 due to a hip injury. Despite the setback, his early production with Washington cemented his place in the franchise record books and gave him a renewed role as a starting NFL kicker.
Notable Events and Milestones
The defining moment of Seibert’s professional career came on September 15, 2024, when he drilled seven field goals against the New York Giants in his Washington debut. That performance set the Commanders’ franchise record for field goals in a single game and earned him NFC Special Teams Player of the Week honors. Earlier milestones include his first career field goal in 2019 against the Jets and his 2019 PFWA All-Rookie Team selection.
Austin Seibert Career Highlights
Throughout his NFL career, Seibert has compiled 72 made field goals on 86 attempts, good for an 83.7 percent conversion rate, with a long of 55 yards. He has also recorded 67 touchbacks and contributed consistently on extra point attempts across multiple teams. His most celebrated statistical achievement remains his record-setting seven-field-goal performance for the Washington Commanders in 2024.
College Achievements
At the University of Oklahoma, Seibert earned the 2018 Big 12 Special Teams Player of the Year award and was named first-team All-Big 12 that same season. He was also a two-time second-team All-Big 12 selection in 2015 and 2017, giving him four total conference honors during his four-year college career. He served as both a placekicker and a punter for the Sooners, showcasing his versatility on special teams.
Professional Achievements
In the NFL, Seibert was named to the PFWA All-Rookie Team in 2019 after a strong first season with the Cleveland Browns. He later earned NFC Special Teams Player of the Week honors in 2024 following his historic performance with the Washington Commanders. Across his professional career, he has appeared for six different franchises, demonstrating his durability and value as a reliable kicking option.
Austin Seibert Family
Family Background and Racing Lineage
Seibert was raised in Belleville, Illinois, where he attended Belleville High School-West. Limited public information is available about his parents or extended family, as he has kept his personal and family life largely private throughout his football career.
Personal Life
Born and raised in the Midwest, Seibert has spent much of his professional career relocating between NFL cities, including Cleveland, Cincinnati, Detroit, New York, New Orleans, and Washington. Public details about his marital status, spouse, or children have not been widely reported, and he has generally maintained a low profile away from the field.
2025 Season Outlook
Looking ahead to the 2025 season, Seibert will look to build on his record-setting debut with the Washington Commanders. After a strong start to his 2024 campaign, his season was cut short by a hip injury that placed him on injured reserve in late November. His health and recovery will be a central storyline heading into the new season, as the Commanders evaluate their kicking situation and special teams plans.
If healthy, Seibert has the opportunity to remain Washington’s primary placekicker and continue adding to his franchise record book. His accuracy and range make him a strong fit for the team’s offensive scheme, and his experience across multiple NFL stops provides veteran stability in the kicking game. The 2025 season could represent a chance for Seibert to put together his first full, healthy campaign as a featured kicker in several years.