David Quessenberry Bio
David Lee Quessenberry Jr., born on August 24, 1990, in La Jolla, California, is an American professional football offensive tackle for the Los Angeles Rams of the National Football League (NFL). Standing 6 feet 5 inches tall and weighing around 310 pounds, Quessenberry has built a steady career as a versatile offensive lineman since entering the league in 2013. He played college football for the San José State Spartans and was selected by the Houston Texans in the sixth round of the 2013 NFL draft. Throughout his career, he has overcome significant personal challenges, including a health battle with Non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma, and continues to demonstrate resilience and determination in his professional journey.
Early Life and Background
David Lee Quessenberry Jr. was raised in the La Jolla community of San Diego, California, where he developed an early interest in athletics. He attended La Costa Canyon High School in Carlsbad, California, where he lettered in both football and lacrosse. At La Costa Canyon, Quessenberry played tight end, showing the multi-sport background that would later help him transition to the offensive line at the college level.
Quessenberry comes from a family with a strong military and athletic heritage. His father played college football at the United States Naval Academy and served in the United States Navy from 1980 to 2010. That background of discipline and service helped shape Quessenberry’s approach to the sport and his willingness to take on difficult challenges both on and off the field.
Path to American Football
Coming out of high school, Quessenberry had no scholarship offers, so he walked on to the Spartans football team at San Jose State University in 2008. He redshirted that first year to bulk up from his 235-pound frame and prepare for the physical demands of the offensive line. Over his college career, he appeared in 50 games for the Spartans and made 38 starts, gradually developing into a reliable presence at tackle.
Quessenberry first earned an athletic scholarship the summer before his sophomore season of 2010 and went on to anchor the offensive line through the rest of his college career. He earned second-team All-Western Athletic Conference honors in 2011 and was named first-team All-WAC in 2012, when he also became a team captain and a Burlsworth Trophy finalist as the top non-scholarship player in college football. In December 2012, he graduated from San Jose State with a Bachelor of Arts in history, closing a college chapter that transformed him from a walk-on into a draft prospect.
David Quessenberry Career
Early Career (2013–2017)
The Houston Texans selected David Lee Quessenberry Jr. in the sixth round with the 176th overall pick in the 2013 NFL draft, beginning his professional journey as a developmental offensive lineman. His rookie season was cut short when he was placed on injured reserve on September 10, 2013, after suffering a foot injury during practice. The Texans then designated him as a non-football illness player in 2014 after he was diagnosed with lymphoma, and he was later waived in May 2016 with a non-football injury designation before clearing waivers and remaining on the team’s non-football injury list.
Quessenberry returned to practice with the Texans at the start of organized team activities on May 23, 2017, after completing his cancer treatment. He was waived on September 2, 2017, signed to the practice squad the following day, and promoted to the active roster on December 19, 2017. He made his NFL debut against the Pittsburgh Steelers on December 25, 2017, completing a remarkable comeback to the field. The Texans then waived him again on September 1, 2018.
Tennessee Titans (2018–2021)
David Lee Quessenberry Jr. signed with the Tennessee Titans’ practice squad on September 11, 2018, and signed a reserve/future contract with the team on December 31, 2018. In a Week 2 loss to the Indianapolis Colts on September 15, 2019, he caught his first career receiving touchdown on a pass from Marcus Mariota, an unusual moment for an offensive lineman. He was released and re-signed to the practice squad in October 2019 before signing another reserve/future contract on January 20, 2020.
Quessenberry was waived at the start of the 2020 season and signed to the practice squad before being elevated to the active roster for games against the Buffalo Bills and Pittsburgh Steelers. He was promoted to the active roster on October 27, 2020, and finished the year as a contributing member of the offensive line group. In 2021, he was named the Titans’ starting right tackle and started every game of the season, cementing his role as a full-time starter for the first time in his career.
Buffalo Bills (2022–2023)
On April 21, 2022, David Lee Quessenberry Jr. signed a one-year deal with the Buffalo Bills, where he appeared in 16 games with three starts and provided experienced depth along the offensive line. He re-signed with the Bills on a one-year deal on March 27, 2023, but was released on August 29, 2023, before the start of the regular season.
Minnesota Vikings (2023–2024)
On August 30, 2023, David Lee Quessenberry Jr. signed with the Minnesota Vikings and appeared in 16 games with four starts in his first season there. He re-signed with the team on March 11, 2024, and appeared in all 17 games during the regular season, continuing to serve as a reliable swing tackle and depth piece on a competitive offensive line.
Los Angeles Rams (2025–Present)
On May 29, 2025, David Lee Quessenberry Jr. was signed by the Los Angeles Rams to a one-year contract, bringing his veteran presence to the NFC West champions. After playing 13 games as a backup during the 2025 season, he signed a one-year extension with Los Angeles on February 18, 2026, indicating the club’s continued confidence in his role along the offensive line. His current contract runs through the 2026 season.
Driving Style and Strengths
David Lee Quessenberry Jr. is valued around the league for his positional versatility, having started games at both left and right tackle while also contributing on special teams. His combination of size, technique, and football IQ has allowed him to step into starting roles when called upon, including a full season as the Titans’ starting right tackle in 2021.
Notable Events and Milestones
One of the most defining moments of David Lee Quessenberry Jr.’s career came off the field, when he was diagnosed with Non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma in June 2014 and officially completed his cancer treatment on April 13, 2017. He made his long-awaited NFL debut on Christmas Day 2017 against the Pittsburgh Steelers, and on June 12, 2017, he received the George Halas Award, given to the player, coach, or staff member who overcomes the most adversity to succeed.
David Quessenberry Career Wins
David Lee Quessenberry Jr. has built his professional reputation more on durability, versatility, and perseverance than on headline statistical production, as is typical for an offensive lineman. Through the 2025 season, he has appeared in 97 regular-season games with 30 starts across his time with the Houston Texans, Tennessee Titans, Buffalo Bills, Minnesota Vikings, and Los Angeles Rams, and he has added a memorable receiving touchdown to his career ledger as well.
NFL Highlights
Among David Lee Quessenberry Jr.’s most notable career highlights is his 2019 receiving touchdown on a pass from Marcus Mariota while with the Tennessee Titans, a rare scoring play for an offensive tackle. He also started every game of the 2021 season at right tackle for the Titans, appeared in 16 games for both the Buffalo Bills in 2022 and the Minnesota Vikings in 2023, and played all 17 regular-season games for the Vikings in 2024.
Other Wins and Performances
Beyond his NFL stops, David Lee Quessenberry Jr. earned second-team All-WAC honors in 2011 and first-team All-WAC recognition in 2012 at San Jose State, and he became the first San Jose State offensive lineman selected for the Senior Bowl. He also played in the 2012 Military Bowl, capping an 11–2 senior season that helped establish him as a legitimate NFL prospect.
David Quessenberry Family
Family Background and Racing Lineage
David Lee Quessenberry Jr. comes from a family with deep ties to both military service and football. His father played college football at the United States Naval Academy and served in the United States Navy from 1980 to 2010. That naval and athletic background shaped Quessenberry’s disciplined approach to the game and to life.
Personal Life
Outside of football, David Lee Quessenberry Jr. hosts an annual golf tournament at different destinations around the world known as the FIMA Golf Tournament, reflecting his interest in giving back to the community. His older brother Scott Quessenberry was the 155th overall pick in the fifth round of the 2018 NFL draft by the Los Angeles Chargers, while another brother, Paul Quessenberry, is a former tight end, making the family a multi-generational football household.
2025 Season Performance
David Lee Quessenberry Jr. signed with the Los Angeles Rams on May 29, 2025, joining a roster that recently won the NFC championship, and he played 13 games as a backup offensive tackle during the regular season. His steady presence helped reinforce the Rams’ offensive line depth as the team navigated the demands of a deep postseason run. The strong fit between player and organization was reflected when Los Angeles signed him to a one-year extension on February 18, 2026, with the deal running through the 2026 season.
Looking ahead, Quessenberry is expected to remain a reliable veteran option at tackle for the Rams heading into the 2025 league calendar and the 2026 campaign, with a chance to compete for additional starting opportunities. His experience, durability, and prior full-season starting work with the Titans make him a valuable bridge between younger linemen and the rest of the roster. The extension also signals long-term organizational trust, and Quessenberry will look to translate that into on-field production and another season of consistent availability.
