Ben Stille Bio
Ben Stille (born November 12, 1997) is an American professional football defensive end who is currently a member of the Atlanta Falcons of the National Football League (NFL). Standing 6 feet 4 inches tall and listed at 296 pounds, he plays on the defensive front and has built his career as a depth pass rusher and rotational lineman. After going undrafted out of college, he has worked his way across several NFL rosters and practice squads since 2022. He is recognized as a steady, blue-collar defensive end whose journey reflects persistence through multiple teams.
Early Life and Background
Ben Stille was born on November 12, 1997, in Ashland, Nebraska, where he grew up and developed his early love for football. He attended Ashland-Greenwood High School, where he played high school football and began attracting attention as a promising defensive lineman in the state. Coming from a small Nebraska town, he grew up around the sport and used his high school years to sharpen the fundamentals that would later earn him a chance at the next level.
His performance in high school earned him an opportunity to continue his football career at the University of Nebraska, one of the most storied programs in college football. He joined the Nebraska Cornhuskers, where he spent his college years developing as a defensive end. His combination of size, motor, and work ethic helped him earn a role in the Cornhuskers’ defensive rotation throughout his time in Lincoln.
Path to American Football
Stille’s path to professional football began in earnest at Nebraska, where he played college football for the Cornhuskers from 2016 through the 2021 season. Over those college years, he developed into a reliable defensive end known for his effort against the run and his willingness to contribute on passing downs. His growth within a Big Ten conference program gave him the experience he needed to pursue an NFL opportunity.
When the 2022 NFL draft concluded without Stille hearing his name called, he did not give up on his dream. Instead, he signed with the Miami Dolphins as an undrafted free agent on April 30, 2022, taking his first official step into the professional ranks. That signing launched a journey that has since taken him across multiple NFL organizations and practice squads.
Ben Stille Career
Early Career (2022)
Stille opened his professional career with the Miami Dolphins after signing as an undrafted free agent in April 2022. His initial stint with Miami was short, as he was released on August 30, 2022, during roster cutdowns, only to be re-signed to the Dolphins’ practice squad two days later. On October 22, 2022, the Dolphins elevated Stille to their active roster, and the next day he made his NFL debut, playing nine defensive snaps and recording two tackles.
His time in Miami that season was brief. On November 15, 2022, the Cleveland Browns signed Stille off the Dolphins’ practice squad, giving him his second NFL team in his rookie year. Stille finished his debut season having already experienced the ups and downs of an undrafted player’s first year, including practice squad moves, an active roster debut, and a quick team change.
Arizona Cardinals Breakthrough (2023–2024)
After being waived by the Cleveland Browns on May 9, 2023, Stille was claimed off waivers by the Arizona Cardinals the following day. He spent most of the 2023 season moving between the Cardinals’ practice squad and active roster, being promoted to the active roster on November 21 and later released and re-signed again before being elevated once more on January 5, 2024. These moves reflected a defensive end still fighting for stability while continuing to develop at the professional level.
Stille’s second stint with Arizona brought more movement. After being waived on August 27, 2024, he was re-signed to the practice squad. On September 6, 2024, the Tampa Bay Buccaneers signed him off the Cardinals practice squad, although he was waived by Tampa Bay on September 30. Just three days later, on October 3, 2024, Stille returned to the Arizona Cardinals’ practice squad, and on January 6, 2025, he signed a reserve/future contract with the team, securing his place in the organization heading into the next league year.
Atlanta Falcons Era (2025–Present)
Stille was waived by the Arizona Cardinals on May 22, 2025, beginning another stretch of team changes. On June 5, 2025, he signed with the Miami Dolphins, returning to the team where his career began, although he was waived on August 26 as part of final roster cuts. His veteran experience kept him in demand across the league.
On November 11, 2025, Stille signed with the Atlanta Falcons’ practice squad, joining his latest NFL organization. He later signed a reserve/future contract with Atlanta on January 5, 2026, cementing his role with the franchise. Through this period, Stille has continued to add to his career totals of 17 tackles and 2 sacks as of the 2024 season, while working to carve out a larger role on the Falcons’ defensive line.
Notable Events and Milestones
One of the defining moments of Stille’s career came on October 23, 2022, when he made his NFL debut with the Miami Dolphins, recording two tackles in nine defensive snaps. His journeyman path, including stints with the Dolphins, Browns, Cardinals, and Buccaneers before landing in Atlanta, marks him as one of many undrafted defensive ends who have built an NFL career through persistence. Signing a reserve/future contract with the Falcons in January 2026 represents another milestone in his ongoing professional journey.
Ben Stille Career Wins
As a defensive lineman, Ben Stille’s professional contributions are measured in pressures, tackles, and sacks rather than traditional win totals. Through the 2024 NFL season, he had recorded 17 total tackles and 2 sacks across his time with the Miami Dolphins, Cleveland Browns, Arizona Cardinals, and Tampa Bay Buccaneers. His role on each team has typically been that of a depth defensive end contributing on special teams and in pass-rush packages.
NFL Career Highlights
Stille’s first NFL appearance came with the Miami Dolphins in October 2022, and he has since appeared in games for multiple franchises. His most recent contributions have come with the Atlanta Falcons after signing with the team’s practice squad in November 2025 and later agreeing to a reserve/future deal. He continues to chase a more permanent spot on an active 53-man roster.
Other Performances
At the college level, Stille was a multi-year contributor for the Nebraska Cornhuskers between 2016 and 2021, helping anchor the team’s defensive front during his time in the Big Ten. His professional career has spanned practice squad elevations, active roster stints, and short-term signings across several teams, showing the kind of resilience often required of undrafted defensive linemen.
Ben Stille Family
Personal Life
Ben Stille is a Christian, a faith he has publicly discussed as an important part of his life. He is married to his wife, Samantha, and the couple has been together through the many team changes that have defined his early professional career. His family life has provided stability amid the frequent roster moves that have come with being an undrafted player in the NFL.
2025 Season Performance
Stille’s 2025 season was defined by movement rather than a single settled home. He started the year with the Arizona Cardinals before being waived in May, then signed with the Miami Dolphins in June, only to be released in late August as part of final roster cuts. The constant shifting reflected the reality of his role as a veteran depth defensive end available to teams in need of defensive line help.
On November 11, 2025, Stille found his next opportunity when he signed with the Atlanta Falcons’ practice squad, providing him a chance to contribute within a new defensive scheme. His experience across multiple organizations, including familiarity with several defensive systems, has made him a flexible addition to Atlanta’s depth chart late in the season.
Looking ahead, Stille’s outlook with the Falcons improved when he signed a reserve/future contract on January 5, 2026, securing his place with the team into the next league year. He will look to translate his practice squad contributions into a more consistent role on Atlanta’s active roster, while continuing to build on his career totals and chase his first sustained stretch of regular playing time in the NFL.