Calvin Munson Bio
Calvin Christopher Munson (born December 27, 1994) is an American professional football linebacker. He played college football for the San Diego State Aztecs and signed with the New York Giants as an undrafted free agent in 2017. Over the course of his career, he has spent time with several National Football League franchises and is a Super Bowl champion.
Listed at 6 ft 1 in and 240 lb, Munson has built his career on special teams contributions and rotational defensive work. He is recognized as a dependable reserve linebacker who has navigated practice squad moves and short stints with multiple organizations across the league.
Early Life and Background
Calvin Christopher Munson was born on December 27, 1994, in St. Charles, Missouri, USA. He grew up in the St. Charles area and attended Francis Howell High School, where he developed into a multi-sport athlete. The community in St. Charles provided the backdrop for his early athletic years, and his size and instincts quickly made him a recognizable name on local football fields.
At Francis Howell, Munson starred as a linebacker and earned several notable honors, including First-team All-State and First-team All-District linebacker recognition. He was also named Missouri Defensive Player of the Year, a distinction that highlighted his combination of tackling ability, field awareness, and leadership. These awards established him as one of the top defensive prospects in the state during his high school years.
In addition to football, Munson was a talented baseball player. He was selected by the St. Louis Cardinals in the 31st round of the 2013 Major League Baseball draft, and he was also named to the ABCA/Rawlings High School All-America Baseball Second Team. Despite this recognition, he chose to pursue football at the collegiate level rather than sign with the Cardinals organization.
Path to Professional Football
After weighing his options in baseball, Munson committed to San Diego State University to continue his football career. He joined the San Diego State Aztecs program and worked his way into a significant role on defense during his time in college. His development at San Diego State allowed him to transition from a multi-sport high school standout into a focused linebacker prospect.
Munson was selected as a First-team All-Mountain West Conference performer in both 2015 and 2016, marking him as one of the conference’s top defensive players during those seasons. He was also named the San Diego State Aztecs football Outstanding Defensive Player of the Year on two occasions, a clear sign of his value to the program. These achievements positioned him as a legitimate professional prospect heading into the 2017 NFL draft cycle.
Going into the 2017 NFL draft, Munson was not selected, making him an undrafted free agent. His productive college resume, paired with his special teams reliability, ultimately opened the door to an opportunity at the next level.
Calvin Munson Career
Early Career (2017–2018)
Munson signed with the New York Giants as an undrafted free agent following the 2017 NFL draft. He performed well enough in training camp and the preseason to earn a place on the Giants’ 53-man roster, a notable achievement for an undrafted rookie. His first career start came in Week 2 of the 2017 season at middle linebacker, where he stepped in for an injured B. J. Goodson.
On September 1, 2018, Munson was waived by the Giants and was signed to the team’s practice squad the next day. He was released on September 13, 2018, ending his initial tenure in New York. The brief stint with the Giants gave him his first regular-season experience and set the stage for the next chapter of his professional journey.
New England Patriots Breakthrough (2018–2019)
On October 8, 2018, Munson was signed to the New England Patriots’ practice squad, providing him an opportunity with one of the league’s most successful organizations. He remained part of the Patriots’ operation through the postseason and was part of the roster when New England faced the Los Angeles Rams in the Super Bowl.
Munson won Super Bowl LIII as the Patriots defeated the Los Angeles Rams 13–3, earning a championship ring early in his career. On February 5, 2019, he signed a reserve/future contract with New England. He was released during final roster cuts on August 31, 2019, and was signed to the practice squad the following day, reflecting the Patriots’ continued interest in his services.
Miami Dolphins Era (2019–2021)
On December 18, 2019, Munson was signed by the Miami Dolphins off the Patriots practice squad, beginning a long association with the franchise. He was placed on the active/non-football injury list at the start of training camp on July 28, 2020, and was activated on August 9, 2020. The Dolphins extended an exclusive-rights free agent tender to Munson on March 8, 2021, and he signed the one-year contract on April 14.
Munson was waived on August 31, 2021, and re-signed to the Dolphins practice squad the next day. On October 27, 2021, he was signed by the Patriots off the Miami practice squad, before being waived on December 14. He was claimed off waivers by the Dolphins on December 15, 2021, returning to Miami. On August 29, 2022, he was placed on injured reserve and released on October 10, ending his second Dolphins stint.
New England Patriots and Miami Dolphins Revolving Years (2022–2023)
On October 12, 2022, Munson was signed to the Patriots practice squad, beginning a third stint in New England. He signed a reserve/future contract on January 10, 2023. On August 29, 2023, he was waived by the Patriots and re-signed to the practice squad, showing the organization’s continued reliance on his versatility and special teams value.
On December 9, 2023, Munson was signed by the Dolphins off the Patriots practice squad, marking his third stint in Miami. The repeated movement between practice squads and active rosters highlighted his reputation as a reliable depth piece across multiple franchises.
Minnesota Vikings Era (2024–Present)
On October 21, 2024, Munson was signed to the Minnesota Vikings practice squad, opening a new chapter in his career with an NFC North franchise. The move added him to a different conference and provided him with another opportunity to contribute on special teams and in a depth linebacker role.
Driving Style and Strengths
Munson’s professional value has consistently come from his special teams play, tackling reliability, and positional versatility. He has been trusted by multiple organizations to handle core special teams duties and to fill in defensively when injuries arise, which has allowed him to extend his career across numerous practice squad and active roster moves.
Notable Events and Milestones
The most significant milestone of Munson’s career is his Super Bowl LIII championship with the New England Patriots following the 2018 season. He was also a two-time First-team All-Mountain West selection in 2015 and 2016 at San Diego State, and he was named the Aztecs’ Outstanding Defensive Player of the Year in both of those seasons. As of the 2024 season, his career NFL statistics include 89 total tackles, 2 sacks, and 1 forced fumble.
Calvin Munson Career Wins
Calvin Christopher Munson’s most prominent career victory came at Super Bowl LIII, when the New England Patriots defeated the Los Angeles Rams 13–3. He has also accumulated multiple conference and team-level honors through his college career, including two First-team All-Mountain West selections and two San Diego State Outstanding Defensive Player of the Year awards.
Professional Highlights
Munson’s professional ledger is anchored by his Super Bowl LIII ring with the New England Patriots. Beyond that championship, his career has been defined by consistent special teams contributions and rotational defensive work with the New York Giants, Miami Dolphins, New England Patriots, and Minnesota Vikings.
Calvin Munson Family
Personal Life
Public details about Calvin Christopher Munson’s personal and family life are limited. He was born and raised in St. Charles, Missouri, and has continued his professional football career in the United States.
2025 Season Performance
Looking ahead to the 2025 season, Calvin Christopher Munson is positioned to compete for a depth linebacker and special teams role following his signing to the Minnesota Vikings practice squad in October 2024. His track record of being elevated between the practice squad and active roster suggests he will be in the mix for early-season opportunities as teams shape their 53-man rosters.
Munson’s familiarity with multiple defensive schemes, gained through stints with the Giants, Patriots, and Dolphins, gives him flexibility to fit into a variety of role assignments. Special teams snaps and reserve linebacker duties are likely to remain his primary path to staying on an active roster in 2025.
For the Minnesota Vikings organization, Munson represents a low-risk veteran option who can contribute on special teams and provide experienced depth at the linebacker position. The upcoming season offers him a chance to settle into a more stable role after several years of practice squad movement across the league.