Eddie Goldman Bio
Eddie Goldman (born January 6, 1994) is an American professional football defensive tackle for the Washington Commanders of the National Football League (NFL). He played college football for the Florida State Seminoles and was selected by the Chicago Bears in the second round of the 2015 NFL Draft. Standing 6 ft 3 in (1.91 m) and listed at around 320 lb (145 kg), Goldman has built a career as a run-stopping interior presence over a decade in the league.
Beyond Chicago, Goldman has also suited up for the Atlanta Falcons before returning to the East Coast with Washington. He earned the BCS national championship with Florida State in 2013, was a first-team All-ACC selection in 2014, and was named to the PFWA All-Rookie Team in 2015.
Early Life and Background
Eddie Goldman was born and raised in Washington, D.C., where he attended Friendship Collegiate Academy Public Charter School. At Friendship, he played football alongside future NFL players Yannick Ngakoue and Teez Tabor, while also competing on the basketball court. His combination of size, quickness, and strength made him one of the most heavily recruited defensive linemen in his high school class.
Goldman was an All-American defensive lineman in high school and was considered a five-star recruit by both ESPN and Rivals.com. Recruiting analysts listed him as the second-best defensive tackle in his class, behind only Mario Edwards Jr., who later joined him at Florida State. His family supported his athletic development as he grew into a top national prospect in the heart of the nation’s capital.
Path to American Football
Goldman’s path to the NFL started at Florida State University, where he played from 2012 through 2014 under the Seminoles coaching staff. He quickly worked his way into the defensive line rotation and became a central piece of one of the most decorated defenses in college football. During his three collegiate seasons, he accumulated 262 tackles and six sacks, showing the run-stopping ability that would define his professional career.
In 2013, Goldman was part of the Florida State team that won the BCS National Championship, capping a dominant run for the Seminoles. His individual play was recognized the following year when he was named first-team All-ACC in 2014. After his junior season, Goldman decided to forgo his senior year and enter the 2015 NFL Draft, confident that his production and physical tools would translate to the next level.
Eddie Goldman Career
Early Career (2015–2017)
The Chicago Bears selected Goldman 39th overall in the second round of the 2015 NFL Draft. In his rookie campaign, he appeared in fifteen games and recorded 39 tackles with six tackles for loss, finishing fourth among rookies with 4.5 sacks. His strong debut earned him a spot on both Mel Kiper Jr.’s All-Rookie Team and the Pro Football Writers of America All-Rookie Team.
Goldman’s 2016 season was interrupted by a high ankle sprain suffered in Week 2 that cost him six games and led to a stint on injured reserve. He rebounded in 2017, playing 15 games with 14 starts and posting 1.5 sacks, 44 combined tackles, five quarterback hits, and one fumble recovery, establishing himself as a fixture in the Bears’ defensive front.
Chicago Bears Era (2015–2021)
On September 7, 2018, Goldman signed a four-year contract extension with Chicago worth $42 million, including $25 million guaranteed. During a Week 14 matchup against the Los Angeles Rams, he sacked Jared Goff in the end zone for a safety in a 15–6 Bears victory. He finished 2018 with three sacks, 40 combined tackles, three quarterback hits, and one fumble recovery, earning an 89.2 overall grade from Pro Football Focus that ranked 12th among qualifying interior defenders.
Goldman started all 15 games he played in 2019, recording one sack and 29 combined tackles with two tackles for loss, and was selected as a Pro Bowl alternate. In July 2020, he opted out of the season due to the COVID-19 pandemic and received a $350,000 stipend, with his original $4.75 million base salary rolling into the following year. He returned in 2021 and played 14 games with 22 total tackles before being released by the Bears on March 14, 2022.
Atlanta Falcons Era (2022–2024)
Goldman signed with the Atlanta Falcons on July 6, 2022, but announced his retirement from the NFL just thirteen days later. He reversed that decision on March 21, 2023, when the Falcons reinstated him to their active roster. In 2024, after being released and immediately re-signing on April 2, Goldman played all 17 games for Atlanta with 10 starts at defensive tackle, finishing with 16 total tackles and one sack.
Washington Commanders Era (2025–Present)
On March 15, 2025, Goldman signed a one-year contract with the Washington Commanders, returning to the city where he grew up. He appeared in 13 games with six starts for Washington, recording 26 combined tackles during the regular season. On December 22, the Commanders placed Goldman on season-ending injured reserve after he suffered a concussion in Week 15 against the New York Giants.
Driving Style and Strengths
Goldman has long been valued for his ability to anchor the middle of a defensive line, hold the point of attack against the run, and collapse pockets from the interior. Listed at 6 ft 3 in and around 320 lb, he uses leverage, strong hands, and disciplined technique to occupy double teams and free edge rushers. Coaches have praised his football intelligence and stamina, traits that allowed him to log heavy snap counts and earn top-tier grades from outlets like Pro Football Focus.
Notable Events and Milestones
Among Goldman’s signature moments is his 2018 end-zone safety against the Los Angeles Rams and his role on the BCS championship-winning Florida State squad in 2013. He earned PFWA All-Rookie honors in 2015 and was named a Pro Bowl alternate in 2019, milestones that bracket his peak years in Chicago.
Eddie Goldman Career Wins
Across his NFL career, Eddie Goldman has accumulated 217 total tackles, 14 sacks, 2 fumble recoveries, and 1 pass deflection through the 2025 season. While he has not built a personal trophy case of championship rings in the pros, his on-field production has been steady across stops in Chicago, Atlanta, and Washington.
Chicago Bears Highlights
Goldman’s most productive run came with the Bears, where he played from 2015 through 2021 and helped anchor one of the league’s stingier run defenses in the late 2010s. He signed a $42 million extension in 2018, started 15 games in 2019, and finished with multiple seasons of 40-plus tackles. His 89.2 Pro Football Focus grade in 2018 ranked 12th among all qualifying interior defenders, highlighting his impact at the position.
Other Wins & Performances
In Atlanta, Goldman delivered a full 17-game season in 2024 with 10 starts, providing veteran leadership on the Falcons’ defensive line. In Washington, he reached double-digit starts again in 2025 before a Week 15 concussion ended his year, finishing with 26 combined tackles in 13 appearances.
Eddie Goldman Family
Family Background and Racing Lineage
Goldman grew up in Washington, D.C., where his family nurtured his athletic interests from an early age. He played high school football at Friendship Collegiate Academy alongside future pros such as Yannick Ngakoue and Teez Tabor, reflecting a close-knit peer group that pushed each other toward Division I and NFL opportunities.
Personal Life
Eddie Goldman maintains strong ties to the Washington, D.C., community where he was born and raised. His professional journey has traced an arc from the capital’s high school fields to Florida State, Chicago, Atlanta, and back to Washington, where he now plays for the Commanders. Public details about his marital status and children are not widely reported.
2025 Season Performance
Goldman’s 2025 campaign with the Washington Commanders marked a homecoming of sorts, as he signed a one-year deal on March 15 to rejoin his hometown team. He carved out a meaningful role on the defensive line, appearing in 13 games with six starts and posting 26 combined tackles as a steady run-stopping presence.
His season, however, ended earlier than hoped when a concussion suffered in Week 15 against the New York Giants sent him to season-ending injured reserve on December 22. Despite the late setback, Goldman’s veteran presence and durable track record kept him in the Commanders’ defensive rotation for most of the year.
Looking ahead within his current contract window, Goldman remains a candidate to contribute to Washington’s defensive front as the team evaluates its depth chart. His blend of size, experience, and familiarity with NFC schemes positions him as a stabilizing veteran presence along the interior line.