Jonathan Bullard Bio
Jonathan Bullard (born October 22, 1993) is an American professional football defensive end who most recently played for the New Orleans Saints of the National Football League (NFL). Standing 6 ft 3 in (1.91 m) and listed at 290 lb (132 kg), he has built a career as a reliable interior and edge presence since entering the league in 2016. He played college football at the University of Florida and was drafted by the Chicago Bears in the third round of the 2016 NFL draft. Over the course of his professional tenure, he has also spent time with the Arizona Cardinals, Seattle Seahawks, Atlanta Falcons, and Minnesota Vikings.
Early Life and Background
Jonathan Bullard was born on October 22, 1993, in Shelby, North Carolina, in the United States. He grew up in the Shelby community and attended Crest Senior High School, where he developed into one of the most coveted defensive line prospects in the country. As a senior, he posted 82 tackles and 16 sacks, totals that established him as a five-star recruit and the top-ranked defensive end in his high school class.
Coming out of Crest, Bullard drew attention from major college programs and ultimately chose the University of Florida, turning down other scholarship offers. His senior-year production and physical profile made him a priority target for the Gators coaching staff. His upbringing in the Carolinas and his standout high school résumé set the stage for an early impact once he arrived in the Southeastern Conference.
Path to American Football
Bullard enrolled at the University of Florida in 2012, where he joined a defensive line room rich with NFL-caliber talent. He committed to the Gators specifically to test himself against the best competition in college football and to develop under the program’s defensive coaches. His five-star ranking and his production as a senior at Crest positioned him to play meaningful snaps from the moment he set foot on campus.
Bullard quickly proved that the recruiting attention was warranted, earning a spot on the First-team Freshman All-SEC squad in 2012. He built on that introduction with strong sophomore and junior seasons, ascending into a full-time starting role. By the time he reached his senior year, he was regarded as a leader along the Florida defensive front and a likely early-round NFL draft pick.
Jonathan Bullard Career
Early Career (2012–2015)
At Florida, Bullard played in all 13 games as a true freshman in 2012, making two starts and recording 27 tackles with 1.5 sacks. As a sophomore in 2013, he appeared in 11 games with eight starts and produced 33 tackles and another 1.5 sacks. He started all 12 games of his junior season in 2014, posting 52 tackles and 2.5 sacks while serving as a key piece of the Gators’ defensive line.
Despite strong evaluations ahead of the 2015 NFL draft, Bullard elected to return to Florida for his senior year. He capped his college career with a 2015 campaign that earned him First-team All-SEC and Third-team All-American recognition, cementing his status as one of the top defensive line prospects in the country. He left Gainesville as a four-year contributor with experience at multiple spots along the line.
Chicago Bears Era (2016–2018)
Bullard was selected by the Chicago Bears in the third round, 72nd overall, of the 2016 NFL draft and signed his rookie contract on June 6, 2016. He made his NFL debut on September 11 against the Houston Texans, and on October 9 he notched his first career sack, taking down Indianapolis Colts quarterback Andrew Luck. He finished his rookie season with one start in 14 games, recording 18 tackles and a sack.
In his second season, Bullard recorded his first career pass break-up on September 28, 2017, against the Green Bay Packers. He logged his first forced fumble on October 29 of that year, stripping New Orleans Saints running back Mark Ingram II, and added his lone sack of 2017 against Philadelphia Eagles quarterback Carson Wentz on November 26. He finished the year with three starts, 26 tackles, a sack, and two pass breakups. During final roster cuts on August 31, 2019, the Bears waived Bullard, ending his Chicago tenure.
Arizona Cardinals Era (2019–2020)
On September 1, 2019, Bullard was claimed off waivers by the Arizona Cardinals and immediately joined their defensive line rotation. He was placed on injured reserve on December 6, 2019, with a hamstring injury, but not before starting six of his nine games and posting 22 tackles with 1.5 sacks. The Cardinals brought him back on April 3, 2020, only to release him during final roster cuts on September 5.
Bullard was re-signed to the Cardinals’ practice squad a day later, keeping him in the organization in a developmental capacity. The short turnaround between his release and his practice-squad return reflected the Cardinals’ continued interest in his experience and run-defense ability. That stint on the practice squad set the stage for his next opportunity elsewhere.
Seattle Seahawks Era (2020–2021)
On October 7, 2020, Bullard was signed to the Seattle Seahawks’ active roster off the Cardinals’ practice squad, giving him a late-season role on a contending defense. He contributed along the defensive line as Seattle pushed for a playoff berth and was part of the team’s rotation through the end of the regular season. His stint with the Seahawks was interrupted when he was placed on the reserve/COVID-19 list on January 9, 2021.
Bullard was activated from the list on January 21, 2021, closing out his Seahawks tenure with limited but meaningful production. The brief Seattle stop reinforced his reputation as a depth piece capable of stepping into larger roles when injuries arose. The experience also helped broaden his familiarity with different defensive schemes across the league.
Atlanta Falcons Era (2021)
On April 1, 2021, Bullard signed a one-year contract with the Atlanta Falcons, returning to a full-time role on the active roster. He joined a defensive line that was in transition and offered a veteran presence on the interior. The single-season agreement gave both sides flexibility heading into the next league year.
Minnesota Vikings Era (2022–2024)
Bullard signed with the Minnesota Vikings on June 2, 2022, beginning the longest and most productive stretch of his pro career. He was placed on injured reserve on December 10, 2022, but was activated on January 7, 2023, and finished the year contributing along the defensive front. He re-signed with the Vikings on March 21, 2023, and went on to play all 17 games with 14 starts, recording a career-high 44 tackles and two sacks.
On March 13, 2024, Bullard re-signed with Minnesota once again, locking in another year with the team. He started all 17 games in 2024, posting 41 tackles, a sack, and three passes defensed. Across his three Vikings seasons, he emerged as a dependable starter and a key voice in the locker room, anchoring the defensive line against both the run and the pass.
New Orleans Saints Era (2025)
On July 23, 2025, Bullard signed a one-year contract with the New Orleans Saints, marking his seventh NFL stop. He made 15 appearances for the Saints, including six starts, and contributed two pass deflections along with 26 combined tackles. The deal reflected New Orleans’ need for experienced defensive line help as the team reshaped its roster for the 2025 season.
Driving Style and Strengths
Bullard’s game is built on leverage, hand usage, and run-defense discipline rather than raw edge speed. He is most effective on early-down base downs, where he can anchor against double-teams and clog running lanes. His versatility allows him to play both inside and outside along the defensive front, and his football intelligence has made him a trusted piece of defensive game plans throughout his career.
Notable Events and Milestones
Among the signature moments of Bullard’s career is his first career sack on October 9, 2016, when he brought down Indianapolis Colts quarterback Andrew Luck. He also recorded his first career forced fumble on October 29, 2017, stripping New Orleans Saints running back Mark Ingram II. His career-high 44-tackle season in 2023 with the Minnesota Vikings stands as his most productive statistical campaign to date.
Jonathan Bullard Career Wins
Other Wins & Performances
As a defensive end, Bullard’s statistical milestones are measured in tackles, sacks, and disruptive plays rather than victories. Through the 2025 season, he had recorded 247 total tackles, 6.5 sacks, 2 forced fumbles, and 10 pass deflections. His most productive years came in Minnesota, where back-to-back 17-game seasons produced 44 and 41 tackles, respectively, and helped stabilize the Vikings’ defensive front.
Jonathan Bullard Family
Personal Life
Jonathan Bullard was raised in Shelby, North Carolina, where his family roots remain tied to the local community. He came through Crest Senior High School before moving on to the University of Florida and ultimately a professional football career. Further verified details about his personal and family life beyond these public biographical anchors are not available in the supplied sources.
2025 Season Performance
Bullard’s 2025 campaign was spent with the New Orleans Saints after he signed a one-year contract in late July. He carved out a regular role along the defensive line, appearing in 15 games with six starts while contributing two pass deflections and 26 combined tackles. His reliability against the run helped stabilize a Saints front that underwent significant offseason changes.
Although he was not always a headline-grabbing pass rusher, Bullard’s consistency and veteran presence gave the New Orleans coaching staff a steady option on early downs and in short-yardage situations. The one-year deal kept the door open for both player and team to reassess priorities entering 2026. With the Saints continuing to reshape their roster, his production offered a dependable baseline against which younger linemen were developed.
Looking ahead, Bullard’s 2025 totals added to a career résumé that now includes more than 240 tackles and multiple seasons of 17-game starting experience. Whether he remains with New Orleans or moves on, his track record of durability and team-first play made him a useful contributor throughout the season. The year reinforced his reputation as a journeyman professional whose preparation and technique have kept him in NFL lineups for nearly a decade.