Jon Rhattigan Bio
Jon Rhattigan is an American professional football linebacker in the National Football League (NFL). After going undrafted in 2021, he built his career through practice squad promotions and waiver claims with the Seattle Seahawks, Carolina Panthers, and Pittsburgh Steelers. He most recently signed with the Las Vegas Raiders during the 2025 season.
Born and raised in Naperville, Illinois, Rhattigan attended Neuqua Valley High School before playing four seasons of college football at Army, where he served the U.S. military academy and waited until his senior year to claim a starting role. His professional journey has taken him across multiple organizations, and he is recognized as the first Seattle Seahawks player to come from Army.
Early Life and Background
Jon Rhattigan was born on February 2, 1999, in Naperville, Illinois. He grew up in the western Chicago suburbs and attended Neuqua Valley High School in Naperville, where he developed into a college football prospect. The structured environment of the area and a strong local high school football tradition helped shape his early athletic foundation.
Coming out of high school, Rhattigan drew interest from several college programs, and he ultimately chose to attend the United States Military Academy at West Point. The decision reflected both a personal commitment to service and an opportunity to compete at the Football Bowl Subdivision level. He enrolled at Army and joined the Black Knights football program, beginning a four-year chapter that would prepare him for a professional career.
Path to American Football
Rhattigan’s path to the NFL was unusual because it ran through a service academy. He played for the Army Black Knights from 2017 through 2020, working his way up the depth chart while balancing the academic and military demands of West Point. He did not earn a starting role until his senior season, a late breakthrough that tested his patience and resolve.
When his opportunity finally came, Rhattigan delivered. In his senior year, he finished with 78 total tackles, 9 tackles for loss, 1.5 sacks, 2 interceptions, 2 pass breakups, and 2 fumble recoveries. That statistical leap convinced NFL teams that his best football was still ahead, and he declared for the 2021 NFL Draft as an undrafted free agent. His path from late bloomer at Army to NFL linebacker reflects persistence and steady development.
Jon Rhattigan Career
Early Career (2021–2022)
Jon Rhattigan signed with the Seattle Seahawks as an undrafted free agent on May 13, 2021, beginning his professional career in the Pacific Northwest. He became the first Seahawks roster member to come from Army, a notable distinction for a franchise that has long valued versatile linebackers. His initial months were turbulent, as he was waived during final roster cuts on August 31, 2021, and quickly re-signed to the practice squad the following day.
Before the Seahawks’ season opener, Rhattigan was elevated from the practice squad and later signed to the active roster, where he contributed on special teams and in defensive packages. He appeared in games late in 2021 before being placed on injured reserve on January 1, 2022. The following summer, he was placed on the active/physically unable to perform list on July 26, 2022, and moved to the reserve list on August 24. He was activated on December 10, 2022, and continued to develop his professional footing.
Seattle Seahawks Breakthrough (2021–2024)
Rhattigan’s time with the Seattle Seahawks spanned multiple seasons and required him to navigate the practice squad and active roster in successive years. On August 30, 2023, he was waived by the Seahawks and re-signed to the practice squad the following day. On September 28, 2023, he was promoted to the active roster after wide receiver Cody Thompson was waived, giving him another chance to contribute on defense and special teams.
He remained with Seattle through the 2023 season before being waived again on August 27, 2024, as part of the Seahawks’ final roster cuts. Across his Seattle tenure, Rhattigan established himself as a reliable depth linebacker and a core special teams contributor. His ability to bounce back from roster moves and injuries demonstrated the resilience that has defined his career.
Carolina Panthers Era (2024–2025)
On August 28, 2024, Jon Rhattigan was claimed off waivers by the Carolina Panthers, joining the NFC South franchise. The move gave him a fresh opportunity to compete for a roster spot and continue his development in a new defensive scheme. He spent the 2024 season with the Panthers, working primarily on special teams while providing depth at linebacker.
His time in Carolina ended on August 26, 2025, when he was released as part of the Panthers’ final roster cuts. Despite the departure, his season with the team added to his experience base and reaffirmed his value as a versatile reserve linebacker. The Panthers’ transaction was a procedural move at the end of training camp, opening the door for his next opportunity.
Pittsburgh Steelers Era (2025)
On September 3, 2025, Rhattigan signed with the practice squad of the Pittsburgh Steelers, joining one of the NFL’s most historic franchises. The Steelers’ practice squad provided another chance to prove himself in a new organization with a strong defensive tradition. He worked to position himself for a promotion to the active roster during the early weeks of the 2025 season.
Las Vegas Raiders Era (2025)
On October 7, 2025, Rhattigan signed with the Las Vegas Raiders, marking his third team of the 2025 season. The move reflected the constant churn of NFL rosters and Rhattigan’s ability to attract interest as a versatile linebacker. With the Raiders, he continued to focus on special teams and rotational defensive work while competing for an expanded role.
Driving Style and Strengths
Rhattigan is listed at 6 feet 0 inches and 236 pounds, a compact build that allows him to play downhill against the run while staying agile in coverage. His experience on special teams has been a defining feature of his professional value, and his instincts developed late in his college career have translated to the NFL level. Coaches have trusted him to handle core special-teams duties while providing linebacker depth.
Notable Events and Milestones
One of the defining moments of Jon Rhattigan’s career was becoming the first Seattle Seahawks player to come from Army, a milestone that linked his service-academy background to a long-established NFL franchise. Going undrafted in 2021 and still reaching his fourth NFL team by 2025 stands as a testament to his perseverance and the trust he has earned from multiple coaching staffs.
Jon Rhattigan Career Wins
Across his time with the Seattle Seahawks, Carolina Panthers, Pittsburgh Steelers, and Las Vegas Raiders, Jon Rhattigan has carved out a career built on dependability rather than headlines. He has accumulated 50 total tackles and 1 fumble recovery through the 2025 season, with the bulk of his statistical production coming on special teams. His win total is rooted in longevity and roster survival, as he has consistently found new teams willing to give him opportunities.
NFL Highlights
Rhattigan’s most significant highlights include his promotion to the Seattle Seahawks’ active roster in 2021 and his successful transitions through practice squad elevations over four consecutive seasons. His first win as a contributor came in his Seahawks debut season, when he appeared in regular-season games and helped on special teams. Most recently, he joined the Las Vegas Raiders in October 2025, continuing to add to his body of work as a rotational linebacker.
Other Wins and Performances
Beyond his NFL service, Rhattigan’s senior year at Army produced his most decorated college performance, with 78 total tackles, 9 tackles for loss, 1.5 sacks, 2 interceptions, 2 pass breakups, and 2 fumble recoveries. That senior surge remains his signature statistical achievement and the foundation on which his professional opportunities have been built.
Jon Rhattigan Family
Family Background and Racing Lineage
Detailed information about Jon Rhattigan’s parents and extended family is not publicly confirmed in available sources. He grew up in Naperville, Illinois, and his family supported his path from Neuqua Valley High School through Army and into the NFL. No further verified details about siblings or family members are available at this time.
Personal Life
Jon Rhattigan’s personal life remains largely private, and no confirmed public information about a spouse, partner, or children is currently available. He is a United States national who was born and raised in Naperville, Illinois, and he continues his professional football career while maintaining a low public profile off the field.
2025 Season Performance
The 2025 season has been a period of transition for Jon Rhattigan. He began the year with the Carolina Panthers before being released during final roster cuts on August 26, 2025. He then signed with the Pittsburgh Steelers’ practice squad on September 3, 2025, before being picked up by the Las Vegas Raiders on October 7, 2025.
Through the 2025 season, Rhattigan has continued to add to his career totals, reaching 50 total tackles and 1 fumble recovery. His role with the Raiders centers on special teams and rotational linebacker duties, areas where his experience and physicality fit the team’s depth needs. The constant movement between rosters has tested his adaptability, but it has also shown that multiple organizations view him as a dependable professional.
Looking ahead, Rhattigan’s outlook for the remainder of 2025 will depend on his ability to lock down a consistent special-teams role with the Las Vegas Raiders. With his track record of practice squad promotions and active-roster contributions, he remains a candidate to extend his NFL career beyond the current season. His experience in multiple defensive systems positions him well for future opportunities.