Chad Muma Bio
Chad Tyler Muma is an American professional football linebacker for the New England Patriots of the National Football League (NFL). Born on August 18, 1999, in Denver, Colorado, he rose to prominence as a tackling leader for the Wyoming Cowboys before entering the professional ranks. Selected by the Jacksonville Jaguars in the third round of the 2022 NFL draft, Muma has since built his career with three NFL franchises. Standing 6 ft 3 in tall and weighing 239 lb, he has emerged as a steady inside linebacker known for his reliability in run support.
Early Life and Background
Chad Tyler Muma grew up in Lone Tree, Colorado, a suburb south of Denver, and attended Legend High School in nearby Parker. While in the seventh grade, Muma was diagnosed with Type 1 diabetes after losing 30 pounds, a setback he managed while continuing to compete in multiple sports. Beyond football, he played basketball during his junior year and competed in track and field from 2015 to 2017, participating in the 100 meter, 200 meter, 400 meter, and long jump. His fastest sprint times and longest jump came during his sophomore season, when he recorded marks of 11.55 seconds in the 100 meter and 20 ft 2 in in the long jump.
At Legend High School, Muma originally played defensive back and wore jersey number 19 out of respect for his father. He suffered a broken clavicle during his junior year while playing 7-on-7 but returned to play the entire season following surgery. As a senior, he was named second-team Class 5A All-State despite missing half of his team’s games due to a 70-percent torn patella, finishing with 77 tackles and 8 tackles for loss. He also earned homecoming king honors, known as Mr. Titan, in 2017.
Path to American Football
Muma committed to play college football at the University of Wyoming, where both his father, Ty Muma, and his maternal grandfather, Rick Desmarais, had also played. He turned down scholarship offers from Colorado State, Hawaii, and Nevada to carry on the family tradition in Laramie. The decision reinforced a deep personal connection to the Cowboys program and shaped his development as a linebacker.
At Wyoming, Muma appeared in all 12 games as a freshman, mostly on special teams, before earning a larger defensive role as a sophomore, when he recorded 51 total tackles. His junior year brought first-team All-Mountain West Conference honors after he led the Cowboys with 71 tackles, eight tackles for loss, and three sacks. In his senior season, he doubled his tackle output to 142, added three interceptions for 45 return yards, and was invited to the 2022 Senior Bowl while also being named a finalist for the Butkus Award.
Chad Muma Career
Early Career (2022–2024)
Muma was drafted in the third round, 70th overall, of the 2022 NFL draft by the Jacksonville Jaguars, becoming the fourth inside linebacker selected that year. As a rookie, he appeared in 16 regular-season games and started two, finishing with 1.5 sacks, 47 total tackles, and one pass defended. His playing time fluctuated as the Jaguars paired him with first-round pick Devin Lloyd at inside linebacker.
Over the next two seasons in Jacksonville, Muma continued to provide depth and rotational support. In 2023, he appeared in 17 games with two starts and recorded 15 tackles and two passes defended. In 2024, he played all 17 games and started three while finishing with 32 tackles. On August 26, 2025, the Jaguars waived Muma as part of final roster cuts.
Indianapolis Colts (2025)
One day after being waived, on August 27, 2025, Muma was claimed off waivers by the Indianapolis Colts. He made five appearances for Indianapolis and recorded five combined tackles during his brief tenure with the team. On November 1, 2025, the Colts waived him and re-signed him to their practice squad.
New England Patriots Era (2025–Present)
On December 16, 2025, Muma was signed to the active roster of the New England Patriots from the Colts’ practice squad. He joined a Patriots linebacker group searching for depth and run-stopping help down the stretch of the regular season. His move to New England marked his third NFL team in a single calendar year.
Through his career, Muma has appeared in regular-season games for Jacksonville, Indianapolis, and New England, compiling a combined stat line of 103 total tackles, 1.5 sacks, and 3 pass deflections as of Week 18 of the 2025 season. He has continued to serve primarily as a rotational inside linebacker with starting experience.
Driving Style and Strengths
Although he plays football rather than motorsports, Muma’s on-field profile mirrors a consistent tackler with range. He reads plays quickly, wraps up reliably in the run game, and has shown the ability to drop into coverage when called upon. His comfort playing multiple linebacker spots has allowed him to contribute on early downs, passing situations, and special teams.
Notable Events and Milestones
Muma’s signature moments include leading Wyoming in tackles during his junior and senior seasons and earning a 2022 Senior Bowl invitation alongside Butkus Award finalist recognition. His draft selection by Jacksonville came after the Jaguars traded up to secure him, reportedly beating the Denver Broncos to the punch. His third-team All-American honor in 2021 highlighted his status among the top linebackers in college football.
Chad Muma Career Wins
While linebackers are not measured by win totals in the same way as quarterbacks, Muma has built a steady résumé across the Mountain West Conference and the NFL. His two first-team All-Mountain West selections and his third-team All-American nod in 2021 stand as the headline individual awards of his career to date.
College Highlights
Muma recorded 51 tackles as a sophomore, 71 tackles as a junior, and a team-leading 142 tackles as a senior at Wyoming. He added eight tackles for loss in both his junior and senior seasons and posted three interceptions for 45 return yards in his final college campaign. He finished his Wyoming career with consecutive first-team All-Mountain West honors.
Other Performances
Muma was also a multi-sport athlete in high school, competing in basketball and track and field. He helped Legend High School reach the Sweet 16 of the 2017 CHSAA Boys Basketball State Championship Tournament and posted competitive times in the 100, 200, and 400 meter events. His versatility across sports underscored the athletic foundation that later fueled his football success.
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Chad Muma Family
Family Background and Racing Lineage
Muma comes from a family with deep roots in the sport of football. His father, Ty Muma, and his maternal grandfather, Rick Desmarais, both played college football at the University of Wyoming. His younger sister, Payton Muma, played basketball at Gonzaga University from 2021 to 2024 before transferring to the Wyoming Cowgirls basketball team. His younger brother, Jaxon Muma, plays football at the University of Sioux Falls.
Personal Life
Muma became engaged to his longtime girlfriend, Alyssa Huey, on May 28, 2023, in Saint Augustine, Florida. The couple share a Goldendoodle named Ollie. Muma has also shared personal details in team media interviews, including his appreciation for music by Olivia Rodrigo and Adele and his pregame tradition of listening to In the Air Tonight by Phil Collins.
2025 Season Performance
The 2025 season proved to be the most eventful of Muma’s young career. After being waived by the Jacksonville Jaguars at the end of the preseason, he quickly landed with the Indianapolis Colts, where he contributed on defense before being moved to the practice squad in early November. He later returned to an active roster when the New England Patriots signed him in mid-December.
Muma’s role across his three 2025 teams centered on special teams and rotational linebacker duties. He recorded tackles in limited defensive opportunities and provided veteran poise in practice settings during his time on the Colts’ practice squad. His adaptability allowed him to remain productive despite frequent roster movement.
Looking ahead, Muma’s outlook with the New England Patriots hinges on his ability to carve out a role in their linebacker rotation and contribute on special teams. With a year of experience across multiple defensive schemes, he offers positional flexibility and a strong tackling base. Continued development in pass coverage could help him secure a longer-term role within the Patriots organization.