C.J. Uzomah Bio
Christopher James Uzomah, widely known as C.J. Uzomah, is an American professional football tight end currently in the National Football League. Standing 6 feet 6 inches tall and weighing 262 pounds, he has built a reputation as a reliable blocking tight end with dependable hands. Uzomah has spent more than a decade in the NFL, playing for the Cincinnati Bengals, New York Jets, and Philadelphia Eagles. He is a Super Bowl champion and a former Second-team All-SEC selection from his college years at Auburn.
Drafted in the fifth round of the 2015 NFL draft, Uzomah has carved out a long career as a tight end valued for his size, blocking, and red-zone presence. After seven seasons in Cincinnati, he signed with the New York Jets in 2022 before joining the Philadelphia Eagles in 2024. He won a Super Bowl championship with the Eagles in February 2025, cementing his place among the most accomplished tight ends of his draft class.
Early Life and Background
Christopher James Uzomah was born on January 14, 1993, in Suwanee, Georgia, United States. He grew up in a close family alongside his parents, Xavier Uzomah and Stephanie Uzomah. His father, Xavier, later earned an MBA from Auburn, while his mother, Stephanie, holds a doctorate in education, underscoring a household that placed a strong emphasis on academics. Uzomah is of Nigerian descent, and his family heritage has remained an important part of his identity throughout his life.
Uzomah attended North Gwinnett High School in Suwanee, Georgia, where he played quarterback during his formative years. During his senior season, he threw for 238 yards and two touchdowns, rushed for 74 yards, and added 168 receiving yards and one touchdown. As a junior, he passed for 1,750 yards and 15 touchdowns, and rushed for 800 yards with 10 more scores, demonstrating rare dual-threat ability at the high school level. His background as a high school quarterback helped shape his understanding of the passing game and prepared him for his eventual transition to tight end at the college level.
Path to American Football
Coming out of North Gwinnett High School, Uzomah was a highly recruited multi-sport athlete who ultimately chose to continue his football career at Auburn University. He spent his college years from 2011 through 2014 developing within a strong SEC program, learning the demands of playing tight end at a major conference level. Although he was used primarily as a blocking tight end at Auburn, he still managed to catch seven touchdown passes during his four seasons, showing his knack for finding the end zone.
Uzomah majored in Marketing during his time at Auburn, balancing academics with the demands of a major college football program. Following his senior season, he was named Second-team All-SEC in 2013, an honor that confirmed his development as one of the conference’s top tight ends. He then accepted invitations to both the 2014 Senior Bowl and the 2015 Medal of Honor Bowl, where he showcased his skills against top senior talent. Although he was not invited to the NFL Combine, Uzomah performed all of the standard drills at Auburn’s pro day in front of representatives from all 32 NFL teams, solidifying his place as a draftable prospect.
C.J. Uzomah Career
Early Career (2015–2016)
The Cincinnati Bengals selected Uzomah in the fifth round, 157th overall, of the 2015 NFL draft, making him the seventh tight end taken that year. On May 15, 2015, he signed a four-year, $2.49 million contract that included a signing bonus of $212,762. He spent his rookie year mostly as a healthy scratch before making his professional regular-season debut on December 6, 2015, against the Cleveland Browns. In that game, he caught a four-yard pass from quarterback Andy Dalton, recording the first reception of his NFL career in a 37–3 Cincinnati victory.
Heading into his second season, injuries to Tyler Eifert and Tyler Kroft opened the door for Uzomah, who was named the Bengals’ starting tight end to begin 2016. He started the season-opener at the New York Jets, recording two receptions for a season-high 59 yards in a 23–22 win. Uzomah went on to finish the year with 25 receptions for 234 yards and one touchdown across ten games and eight starts, including his first career touchdown catch from Andy Dalton on January 1, 2017, against the Baltimore Ravens.
Cincinnati Bengals Breakthrough (2017–2021)
After spending 2017 mostly in a reserve role behind Kroft, Uzomah broke out in 2018 with career highs of 43 receptions for 439 yards and three touchdowns across 16 games and 15 starts. His strong play led the Bengals to sign him to a three-year, $18 million contract extension on March 11, 2019. He started all 16 games during the 2019 season, recording 27 receptions for 242 yards and two touchdowns while becoming one of the team’s most reliable tight ends.
Uzomah’s 2020 season ended early when he tore his Achilles tendon during the second game of the year, but he returned healthy in 2021 to set new career highs with 49 receptions, 493 receiving yards, and five touchdowns. He added six catches for 64 yards and a score in the Bengals’ Wild Card Round victory over the Las Vegas Raiders, then caught two passes for 11 yards in Super Bowl LVI against the Los Angeles Rams. Across his seven seasons in Cincinnati, Uzomah developed into a steady contributor and postseason performer.
New York Jets Era (2022–2023)
On March 17, 2022, Uzomah signed a three-year, $24 million contract with the New York Jets, joining a new offensive system. He appeared in 15 games during the 2022 season, finishing with 21 receptions for 232 receiving yards and two touchdowns. Both of his touchdowns came in the same game, a Week 15 matchup against the Detroit Lions, marking his most productive day as a Jet.
Uzomah’s second season in New York was cut short when he suffered an MCL injury in Week 13 of 2023. He was placed on injured reserve on December 6, 2023, ending his season. On March 5, 2024, the Jets released him, closing out his time in New York after two seasons.
Philadelphia Eagles Era (2024–Present)
On April 11, 2024, Uzomah signed a one-year deal with the Philadelphia Eagles, beginning a new chapter in his career. He was released on August 21, 2024, before the regular season began, but re-signed with the team’s practice squad on October 10. He was promoted to the active roster on December 4, 2024, and placed on injured reserve on January 30, 2025. While with Philadelphia, he was part of the roster that won Super Bowl LIX, defeating the Kansas City Chiefs 40–22 to claim the championship.
Driving Style and Strengths
Uzomah is recognized primarily for his size, length, and reliability as an in-line blocker at the tight end position. His high school background as a quarterback gave him strong field awareness and route-running instincts, which he combines with dependable hands in the red zone. Throughout his career, he has been trusted in short-yardage and goal-line situations, where his combination of size and soft hands has made him a favorite target for his quarterbacks.
Notable Events and Milestones
Among Uzomah’s signature accomplishments are his Super Bowl LIX championship with the Philadelphia Eagles in 2025, his appearance in Super Bowl LVI with the Bengals, and his Second-team All-SEC honor from 2013. He has now appeared in multiple Super Bowls across two franchises, a rare achievement for a fifth-round tight end prospect.
C.J. Uzomah Career Wins
Throughout his NFL career, C.J. Uzomah has compiled a steady record of production across his stops with the Cincinnati Bengals, New York Jets, and Philadelphia Eagles. His most celebrated team accomplishment is the Super Bowl LIX title won with the Philadelphia Eagles after the 2024 season, and he was also part of a Bengals team that won the AFC North in 2015 and reached Super Bowl LVI. He has consistently delivered in big moments, including multiple postseason touchdown catches.
Regular Season and Postseason Highlights
Uzomah’s best individual regular season came in 2021, when he recorded 49 receptions for 493 yards and five touchdowns for the Cincinnati Bengals. In the postseason that year, he added six receptions for 64 yards and a touchdown in the Wild Card win over the Las Vegas Raiders, followed by two catches for 11 yards in Super Bowl LVI against the Los Angeles Rams. More recently, he earned a Super Bowl ring as a member of the Philadelphia Eagles in Super Bowl LIX.
Other Wins and Performances
Beyond the NFL, Uzomah participated in the 2015 Medal of Honor Bowl, helping the National team defeat the American team 26–14 with one reception for 29 yards. His overall NFL production through the 2024 season includes 192 career receptions for 1,881 receiving yards and 16 receiving touchdowns, reflecting a long and productive career at the tight end position.
C.J. Uzomah Family
Family Background and Lineage
Uzomah was raised by his parents, Xavier Uzomah and Stephanie Uzomah, in Suwanee, Georgia. His father, Xavier, earned an MBA from Auburn, the same university where C.J. would later play his college football. His mother, Stephanie, holds a doctorate in education, and the family is of Nigerian descent. Education and athletic achievement have long been central themes in the Uzomah household.
Personal Life
Uzomah’s background as the son of two highly educated parents shaped his own path, as he graduated from Auburn with a degree in Marketing. He is of Nigerian descent and has spoken about the importance of his family heritage throughout his career.
2025 Season Performance
Uzomah’s 2024 season with the Philadelphia Eagles ended with a Super Bowl LIX championship after the Eagles defeated the Kansas City Chiefs 40–22. He had joined the Eagles on a one-year deal in April 2024 and, after a brief release and time on the practice squad, returned to the active roster in December 2024. He was later placed on injured reserve in January 2025, but remained part of the championship roster.
As the 2025 NFL season approaches, Uzomah’s future with the Eagles is a key storyline, given that his contract is set to end in 2025. His experience, blocking ability, and red-zone skill set continue to make him a valuable piece for any tight end room. Whether he remains in Philadelphia or pursues another opportunity, Uzomah enters 2025 as a Super Bowl champion looking to extend his career.
