Joe Tryon-Shoyinka Bio
Joe Tryon-Shoyinka (born April 30, 1999) is an American former professional football linebacker who spent five seasons in the National Football League (NFL). He played college football for the Washington Huskies and was selected by the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in the first round of the 2021 NFL draft. Across his professional career he also suited up for the Cleveland Browns and the Chicago Bears.
Standing 6 ft 5 in and listed around 259 lb during his playing days, Tryon-Shoyinka built his reputation as a long, athletic edge defender with the versatility to rush the passer and set the edge against the run. He finished his NFL tenure with 160 total tackles, 15 sacks, 2 forced fumbles, 1 fumble recovery, and 8 pass deflections.
Early Life and Background
Joe Tryon-Shoyinka was born in Seattle, Washington, and grew up in nearby Renton, a suburb just south of the city that has produced a steady stream of college and professional athletes. He attended Hazen High School in Renton, where he was a multi-sport athlete competing in baseball, basketball, and football.
As a senior, Tryon-Shoyinka was recognized as the regional defensive lineman of the year by The Seattle Times, an award that highlighted his emergence as one of the top defensive prospects in the state of Washington. Coming out of high school he was rated as a 3-star defensive end recruit.
Originally, Tryon-Shoyinka committed to play college football at Washington State before flipping his decision to stay in state and attend the University of Washington. He turned down scholarship offers from Eastern Washington, Oregon, and Utah to join the Huskies program.
Path to American Football
Tryon-Shoyinka’s path to a national stage began with his redshirt freshman season at the University of Washington, where he appeared in 12 games and posted 20 tackles, two tackles for loss, and one sack. Those numbers hinted at the pass-rushing potential that would later attract NFL scouts.
His redshirt sophomore campaign announced him as one of the premier edge rushers in the Pac-12 Conference. He recorded 41 tackles, 12.5 tackles for loss, and 8 sacks, and was honored with second-team All-Pac-12 recognition in 2019.
When the Pac-12 Conference postponed the 2020 season due to the COVID-19 pandemic, Tryon-Shoyinka opted to forgo his remaining college eligibility and declared for the 2021 NFL draft, setting the stage for his first-round selection.
Joe Tryon-Shoyinka Career
Early Career (2021–2022)
Joe Tryon-Shoyinka was selected in the first round, 32nd overall, of the 2021 NFL draft by the defending Super Bowl champion Tampa Bay Buccaneers. He signed his four-year rookie contract, worth $11 million, on June 22, 2021, and joined a defensive front that already featured established veterans.
In his first two seasons with the Buccaneers, Tryon-Shoyinka worked into the rotation as a rotational edge rusher, learning under veteran leaders while contributing pressures and snaps in passing situations. He developed the run-defense and pass-rush moves that defined his role with Tampa Bay.
Tampa Bay Buccaneers Breakthrough (2021–2024)
Selected by the defending Super Bowl champions, Tryon-Shoyinka arrived in Tampa Bay with an opportunity to learn from one of the league’s most respected defensive staffs. He spent his rookie contract developing consistency as a perimeter pass rusher while contributing on early downs against the run.
As his role grew, Tryon-Shoyinka provided the Buccaneers with a young edge presence capable of winning one-on-one matchups in obvious passing situations. By the final years of his rookie deal he had become a regular contributor in the team’s defensive line rotation.
On April 30, 2024, the Buccaneers declined the fifth-year option on Tryon-Shoyinka’s contract, allowing him to reach free agency following the 2024 season and opening the door to the next chapter of his career.
Cleveland Browns Era (2025)
On March 12, 2025, Tryon-Shoyinka agreed to terms with the Cleveland Browns on a one-year, $4.75 million contract. The move gave him an opportunity to expand his role in a new defensive scheme.
During his time with the Browns, he made eight appearances and recorded nine combined tackles before the midseason trade that sent him to the NFC. His Cleveland stint was brief but gave him a fresh start heading into the second half of the year.
Chicago Bears Era (2025)
On November 4, 2025, Tryon-Shoyinka was traded, along with a seventh-round pick in 2026, to the Chicago Bears in exchange for a sixth-round pick in 2026. The trade gave him the chance to contribute to a rebuilding Bears defensive front.
The move to Chicago positioned Tryon-Shoyinka within a defense that was investing in young, athletic edge talent. He finished out the 2025 campaign with the Bears as part of that developmental core.
Driving Style and Strengths
At 6 ft 5 in with a long wingspan, Tryon-Shoyinka built his game around first-step quickness and the ability to flatten around the edge against offensive tackles. He paired that get-off with disciplined hands and a strong understanding of leverage against the run, traits that allowed him to be a three-down contributor in sub-packages.
Notable Events and Milestones
His selection as the 32nd overall pick in the 2021 NFL draft stands as the defining milestone of his career, making him the final selection of the first round by the defending Super Bowl champions. He later added a 2025 midseason trade and a one-year free-agent deal with Cleveland as the next major checkpoints on his professional timeline.
Joe Tryon-Shoyinka Career Stats
Across his NFL career with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, Cleveland Browns, and Chicago Bears, Joe Tryon-Shoyinka accumulated 160 total tackles, 15 sacks, 2 forced fumbles, 1 fumble recovery, and 8 pass deflections.
NFL Career Highlights
Tryon-Shoyinka’s 15 career sacks reflect the pass-rushing upside that earned him a first-round selection, with his 8 sacks as a redshirt sophomore at Washington foreshadowing his professional profile. He consistently produced pressures from the edge and contributed on special teams earlier in his career before settling in as a defensive line rotational piece.
College Highlights
At the University of Washington, Tryon-Shoyinka capped his redshirt sophomore season with second-team All-Pac-12 honors in 2019, following a campaign that included 41 tackles, 12.5 tackles for loss, and 8 sacks.
Joe Tryon-Shoyinka Family
Family Background and Racing Lineage
Tryon-Shoyinka grew up in the Renton, Washington, area with his family, in a household rooted in the Pacific Northwest. His athletic foundation was shaped by his parents, who supported his participation in multiple sports during his formative years.
Personal Life
Off the field, Joe Tryon-Shoyinka has kept much of his personal life private. He is known by his full hyphenated last name, which reflects his family heritage, and he has been active on social media throughout his professional career.
2025 Season Performance
Joe Tryon-Shoyinka began the 2025 season with the Cleveland Browns after signing a one-year, $4.75 million contract on March 12, 2025. In eight appearances with Cleveland he posted nine combined tackles before the midseason change of scenery.
On November 4, 2025, he was traded to the Chicago Bears, joining a defensive front that was integrating new edge-rushing talent. The move gave him an opportunity to finish the year in a different scheme and to audition for a longer-term role heading into the next league year.
With his career NFL totals of 160 tackles and 15 sacks now in the books, Tryon-Shoyinka closed the 2025 campaign with the Bears, capping a five-season professional journey that began as a first-round pick of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in 2021.