Eric Saubert Bio
Eric Saubert is an American professional football tight end for the Seattle Seahawks of the National Football League (NFL). He played college football for the Drake Bulldogs and was selected by the Atlanta Falcons in the fifth round of the 2017 NFL draft. Over the course of his professional career, Saubert has been a member of several other NFL teams, showcasing his durability and commitment to the sport. Standing 6 feet 5 inches tall and weighing 248 pounds, he has spent nearly a decade contributing as a depth tight end and special teams player across the league.
Early Life and Background
Eric Saubert was born on May 9, 1994, in Chicago, Illinois, in the United States. He grew up in the Chicago area and attended Hoffman Estates High School in Hoffman Estates, Illinois, where he first developed his skills as a tight end. His size and athleticism allowed him to stand out among his peers, and he continued to refine his game through high school competition in the Chicago suburbs.
After completing his high school career, Saubert committed to Drake University, an institution that has produced relatively few NFL players in recent decades. He spent his college years developing as a tight end within the Drake Bulldogs program, working on his blocking, route running, and receiving skills. His time at Drake helped transform him from a promising local athlete into a legitimate professional prospect.
Path to American Football
Saubert’s path to professional football accelerated during his senior season at Drake, when his performance drew the attention of NFL scouts. On December 5, 2016, it was announced that he had accepted an invitation to play in the 2017 East–West Shrine Game. Throughout practices for the Shrine Game, he impressed scouts and analysts with his athleticism and receiving ability, earning praise from NFL analyst Mike Mayock. He played in the East–West Shrine Game on January 21, 2017, and later added a late invitation to the 2017 Senior Bowl.
Saubert was one of 19 collegiate tight ends to receive an invitation to the NFL Scouting Combine in Indianapolis, Indiana. He tied for second among tight ends in the bench press, finished fifth in the broad jump, and eighth in the vertical jump, opting to perform only those drills. He later performed all of the combine and positional drills at Iowa State’s pro day on March 28, 2017. At the conclusion of the pre-draft process, he was projected as a fifth or sixth round pick, ranked the 12th best tight end by CBS Sports and the 13th best by NFLDraftScout.com.
Eric Saubert Career
Early Career (2017–2018)
The Atlanta Falcons selected Saubert in the fifth round, 174th overall, of the 2017 NFL draft. He became the first Drake player drafted since Pat Dunsmore in 1983, and the 12th tight end taken in 2017. On May 11, 2017, the Falcons signed him to a four-year, $2.62 million contract that included a signing bonus of $227,388. He competed for the starting tight end role during training camp alongside Austin Hooper and Levine Toilolo, with head coach Dan Quinn naming him the third string tight end to begin the regular season.
Saubert made his professional regular season debut in the season-opening 23–17 victory at the Chicago Bears. He played in 14 games during his rookie year but did not record any statistics. In 2018, he appeared in all 16 games with one start, finishing the season with five receptions for 48 yards. His time in Atlanta established him as a developmental tight end with reliable special teams value.
Journeyman Years (2019–2024)
On August 12, 2019, Saubert was traded to the New England Patriots for a conditional seventh-round pick in the 2020 NFL draft, but he was released during final roster cuts on August 31. He signed with the Oakland Raiders’ practice squad on September 1, 2019, and was later signed off that practice squad by the Chicago Bears on November 30, 2019, finishing the year with two catches for 21 yards. He was placed on the reserve/COVID-19 list by the Bears in July 2020, activated five days later, and waived on September 16, 2020.
Saubert joined the Jacksonville Jaguars’ practice squad on September 19, 2020, was elevated to the active roster for a Week 7 game against the Los Angeles Chargers, and was signed to the active roster on November 21. In 2021, he signed with the Denver Broncos and posted his first career highlight, catching his first NFL touchdown in a Week 12 victory over the Chargers. After a one-year stint with the Miami Dolphins in 2023 that ended on injured reserve, he appeared briefly with the Dallas Cowboys and Houston Texans practice squads. He signed with the San Francisco 49ers on April 8, 2024, continuing his journeyman role as a blocking tight end and special teamer.
Seattle Seahawks Era (2025–Present)
On March 24, 2025, Saubert signed with the Seattle Seahawks. He was placed on injured reserve on November 1 due to a calf injury, then activated on December 13, the same day he received a one-year contract extension. Five days later, against the Los Angeles Rams, he caught a game-winning two-point conversion in overtime that helped Seattle secure a playoff spot for the first time since 2022. Saubert started in Super Bowl LX, a 29–13 victory over the New England Patriots, earning a Super Bowl championship.
Driving Style and Strengths
Saubert is a tall, athletic tight end whose primary strengths lie in in-line blocking, special teams play, and red-zone receiving. He has built his career on physicality, dependable hands, and the willingness to do the unglamorous work that keeps offenses and coverage units functioning smoothly.
Notable Events and Milestones
Among the defining moments of Saubert’s career was his two-point conversion against the Los Angeles Rams in December 2025, which clinched a playoff berth for Seattle. He also earned a Super Bowl championship as a starter in Super Bowl LX, the pinnacle of a journey that began as a fifth-round pick out of Drake.
Eric Saubert Career Statistics
Through the 2025 season, Eric Saubert has compiled 51 receptions for 420 receiving yards and 3 receiving touchdowns across his NFL career. While his counting numbers are modest, his longevity and reliability have kept him on rosters for nearly a decade.
| Statistic | Career Total |
|---|---|
| Receptions | 51 |
| Receiving Yards | 420 |
| Receiving Touchdowns | 3 |
Eric Saubert Family
Personal Life
Eric Saubert was born and raised in the Chicago, Illinois area and continues to maintain ties to his hometown. Limited public information is available about his immediate family or marital status, and he has generally kept his personal life private. His journey from a Chicago-area high school to a Super Bowl champion reflects years of dedication to the sport.
2025 Season Performance
Saubert’s 2025 campaign with the Seattle Seahawks proved to be the most rewarding of his career. After signing in March, he was a steady contributor before a calf injury landed him on injured reserve in early November. His activation in mid-December coincided with a contract extension and one of the most memorable plays of the Seahawks’ season.
His game-winning two-point conversion in overtime against the Los Angeles Rams not only delivered a clutch moment but also secured Seattle’s first playoff appearance since 2022. Saubert then started in Super Bowl LX, helping the Seahawks defeat the New England Patriots 29–13. As the Seahawks move into 2026, Saubert’s veteran presence, special teams value, and postseason experience position him as a reliable depth piece within a championship-caliber roster.
