Jonathan Garvin Bio
Jonathan Neo Darnell Garvin is an American professional football defensive end for the Chicago Bears of the National Football League (NFL). Born on July 28, 1999, in Lake Worth Beach, Florida, Garvin played college football for the Miami Hurricanes from 2017 to 2019 before turning professional. He was selected in the seventh round of the 2020 NFL Draft by the Green Bay Packers, where he began his NFL career, and has since also spent time with the Birmingham Stallions and the San Francisco 49ers.
Listed at 6 feet 4 inches and 257 pounds, Garvin has built his career as an edge rusher with a long, athletic frame. After competing in the UFL in 2024 and bouncing between practice squads, he signed with the Chicago Bears practice squad in October 2025 and later secured a reserve or futures contract in January 2026.
Early Life and Background
Jonathan Neo Darnell Garvin was born on July 28, 1999, in Lake Worth Beach, Florida, a coastal community in Palm Beach County. Growing up in South Florida gave him early access to year-round football, and the region’s strong pipeline of collegiate and professional talent helped shape his development as a defensive player.
He attended Lake Worth Beach Community High School, where he emerged as a promising defensive prospect. His size and length made him a natural fit on the edge, and he used his final high school seasons to sharpen the pass-rushing skills that would later define his college recruiting profile.
Path to American Football
After high school, Garvin committed to the University of Miami, joining a Hurricanes program with a deep tradition of producing NFL defensive linemen. He enrolled in 2017 and developed within a defensive system that asked edge rushers to attack both the run and the passer with consistent physicality.
By his sophomore season, Garvin was already contributing regularly, and he built a reputation as a strong-side defensive end with the leverage and length to disrupt blocking schemes. His progression at Miami positioned him as an NFL-caliber prospect, and after his junior year he elected to forgo his remaining college eligibility and enter the 2020 NFL Draft.
Jonathan Garvin Career
Early Career (2017–2019)
Garvin’s early career at the University of Miami began with a breakout 2018 season, when he tallied 60 tackles, 17 tackles for loss, 5.5 sacks, two fumble recoveries, five pass breakups, and a fumble return touchdown in 13 starts. That production established him as one of the most disruptive edge defenders in the Atlantic Coast Conference.
During his junior year in 2019, his statistical production declined as teammate Gregory Rousseau emerged as a dominant presence on the defensive line. Across his sophomore and junior seasons combined, Garvin recorded 26 tackles for loss and 10.5 sacks. In the regular season finale of his final year against Duke, he posted a game-high 10 tackles, 2 sacks, 3.5 tackles for loss, and a forced fumble, showcasing the motor that NFL scouts valued. Following that campaign, he declared for the 2020 NFL Draft.
NFL Draft and Green Bay Packers (2020–2022)
Garvin was selected by the Green Bay Packers in the seventh round with the 242nd overall pick of the 2020 NFL Draft. He signed his rookie contract on May 26, 2020, and joined a defensive line that emphasized rotation and development of young pass rushers behind established veterans.
During his time in Green Bay, he appeared in regular-season games and contributed on special teams and as a rotational edge defender. On November 24, 2021, he was placed on the reserve or COVID-19 list and was activated on December 4. Garvin remained with the Packers through the 2022 season before being released on July 28, 2023.
Birmingham Stallions (2024)
Following his release from Green Bay, Garvin signed with the Birmingham Stallions of the United Football League on March 14, 2024. The Stallions, defending champions of the spring football landscape, offered him an opportunity to play meaningful snaps as an edge rusher.
Garvin was part of the Stallions’ 2024 UFL championship season, earning a UFL champion highlight in the process. His contract was terminated by the team on August 8, 2024, opening the door for a return to an NFL roster.
San Francisco 49ers (2024–2025)
On August 9, 2024, Garvin signed with the San Francisco 49ers. He was waived on August 27 and re-signed to the team’s practice squad, was released on September 11, and was signed back to the practice squad on October 2 before being released again on October 24.
Garvin returned to the 49ers practice squad on November 20, 2024, and signed a reserve or future contract on January 6, 2025. He was released by San Francisco on August 26, 2025, as part of the league’s final roster cuts.
Chicago Bears Era (2025–Present)
On October 29, 2025, Garvin signed with the Chicago Bears practice squad, joining a defensive line in need of edge depth. He signed a reserve or futures contract on January 20, 2026, securing his place with the organization beyond the current campaign.
Through the 2025 NFL season, his career regular-season totals include 32 tackles, 1.5 sacks, and 2 pass deflections, reflecting his role as a rotational piece rather than a full-time starter. Wearing jersey No. 52, Garvin continues to compete for an expanded role within the Bears’ defensive rotation.
Notable Events and Milestones
Garvin’s most significant professional milestone to date is his 2024 UFL championship with the Birmingham Stallions, a title that highlighted his resilience after being released by the Packers. He has also navigated multiple practice-squad stints with the 49ers and Bears, demonstrating the persistence required to remain in professional football across multiple leagues and rosters.
Jonathan Garvin Career Wins
As a defensive end, Garvin’s career highlights are measured in pressures, tackles, and team championships rather than race-style wins. His most celebrated result remains the 2024 UFL title earned with the Birmingham Stallions, and his NFL career to date features 32 total tackles, 1.5 sacks, and 2 pass deflections through the 2025 season.
Jonathan Garvin Family
Personal Life
Jonathan Neo Darnell Garvin has kept his personal life largely private, and detailed information about his immediate family is not publicly confirmed. Publicly available records do not list a spouse, children, or parents in connection with his professional biography.
2025 Season Performance
Garvin’s 2025 campaign began with training camp and preseason action with the San Francisco 49ers, where he was part of the defensive line competition before being released on August 26 as part of final roster cuts. He joined the Chicago Bears practice squad on October 29, 2025, providing the team with additional edge-rushing depth for the second half of the season.
Across his career regular-season appearances through 2025, Garvin has recorded 32 tackles, 1.5 sacks, and 2 pass deflections, with his most consistent on-field production having come during his time in Green Bay and with the Stallions’ 2024 championship run. His January 2026 reserve or futures contract suggests the Bears view him as a developmental piece with upside along the defensive front.
Looking ahead, Garvin will compete for a depth role on Chicago’s defensive line and a chance to expand his statistical contributions in the seasons to come.