Josh Woods Bio
Josh Woods (born July 1, 1996) is an American professional football linebacker for the Atlanta Falcons of the National Football League (NFL). Standing 6 ft 1 in (1.85 m) and listed at around 235 lb (107 kg), Woods has carved out a role-driven career as a core special teams contributor and reserve linebacker since entering the league as an undrafted free agent in 2018. Over the course of his professional career, he has suited up for the Chicago Bears, the Detroit Lions, the Arizona Cardinals, and most recently the Atlanta Falcons, building a reputation for reliable tackling and disciplined play.
Originally a defensive back at the University of Maryland, Woods transitioned to linebacker early in his professional career and reshaped his body to handle the physical demands of the position. His journey from Baltimore-area high school star to NFL journeyman reflects persistence, adaptability, and steady improvement on special teams, where much of his statistical impact has been recorded.
Early Life and Background
Josh Woods was born and raised in Baltimore, Maryland, on July 1, 1996. He attended KIPP Baltimore (KIPP Ujima Village Academy) through eighth grade before enrolling at the McDonogh School in Owings Mills, Maryland, for his high school years. McDonogh’s football program gave him the platform to develop as a two-way player on both sides of the ball.
At McDonogh, Woods played cornerback and wide receiver for the Eagles. As a senior, he was named first-team All-Metro by The Baltimore Sun and first-team All-State, posting 35 tackles and four interceptions on defense while catching 35 passes for 800 yards and 10 touchdowns on offense. That season, McDonogh went 11-0 and won its first MIAA state championship. He was also a four-year academic All-American, finishing high school with a 4.267 grade point average.
Coming out of high school, Woods was rated as a three-star recruit. He chose to play college football at the University of Maryland over scholarship offers from Virginia and Delaware, setting the stage for his move to the next level.
Path to American Football
Woods’s path to a professional career in American football began in the MIAA conference, where his senior-year production demonstrated that he could influence a game on both sides of the ball. His combination of ball skills, range, and football intelligence made him an attractive defensive back prospect for several programs.
At the University of Maryland, Woods spent four seasons with the Terrapins. He appeared mostly on special teams as a freshman and sophomore, playing in 14 total games and recording two tackles. As a junior, he became a regular in the secondary, starting five of ten games and producing 41 tackles with two pass breakups.
His senior campaign was his most productive. Woods tallied 62 tackles, 4.5 tackles for loss, four pass breakups, and two interceptions in ten games despite missing two contests with an injury. By the end of his college career, he had played 34 games with 14 starts, recording 107 tackles, two interceptions, eight pass breakups, and one forced fumble. Although he went undrafted in the 2018 NFL Draft, his special teams tape and length made him an appealing tryout candidate.
Josh Woods Career
Early Career (2018–2020)
Woods signed with the Chicago Bears on June 7, 2018, after participating in a veteran mini-camp on a tryout basis. He was released at the end of training camp but was quickly re-signed to the team’s practice squad on September 2, 2018, where he spent his entire rookie season. During that first year, he added roughly 30 pounds to his frame as he began the transition from defensive back to linebacker.
After a strong showing in the 2019 preseason, Woods earned a spot on the Bears’ 53-man roster. He made his NFL debut on September 29, 2019, against the Minnesota Vikings, logging 15 snaps on special teams. Across nine games that season, he posted five total tackles while continuing to develop his linebacker skill set.
Chicago Bears Breakthrough (2019–2021)
Woods’s real opportunity in Chicago came in 2019, when his special teams reliability and positional flexibility gave him a regular role. The Bears valued his ability to contribute on coverage units, and he continued to refine his linebacker technique behind the scenes.
In March 2021, the Bears rewarded his development with a contract extension, signaling that the organization viewed him as part of their defensive and special teams core. That summer, however, Woods was waived on September 6, 2021, and re-signed to the practice squad, opening the door for his next chapter in Detroit.
Detroit Lions Era (2021–2022)
On September 23, 2021, Woods was signed by the Detroit Lions off the Bears’ practice squad, giving him a fresh start in a new defensive system. He appeared in multiple games for Detroit before being placed on injured reserve on December 28, 2021, ending his season.
On February 22, 2022, Woods signed a one-year contract extension with the Lions, a sign of confidence from the franchise in his special teams value and locker-room presence. His time in Detroit allowed him to log further defensive reps while maintaining his core role on coverage teams.
Arizona Cardinals Era (2023)
Woods signed with the Arizona Cardinals on March 23, 2023, continuing his path as a versatile linebacker and special teams player. He competed for a role throughout the season before being placed on injured reserve on December 20, 2023, limiting his late-season availability.
Despite the injury-shortened campaign, his Cardinals stint added another chapter of experience to his resume and helped broaden his exposure within the league.
Atlanta Falcons Era (2024–Present)
On September 17, 2024, Woods was signed to the Atlanta Falcons’ practice squad, marking his return to the NFC South. He was promoted to the active roster on December 28, 2024, giving him another opportunity to contribute down the stretch.
Through the 2025 season, Woods continues to operate primarily as a special teams ace and reserve linebacker, providing veteran depth and tackling reliability for the Falcons.
Driving Style and Strengths
Woods’s game is built on physicality, leverage, and tackling reliability rather than pass-rushing flash. His linebacker strengths show up most clearly in run support, gap discipline, and special teams coverage, where his background as a defensive back gives him above-average range and ball awareness. The weight he added early in his career, roughly 30 pounds after his rookie season, has allowed him to take on blocks at the second level while keeping the mobility to patrol sideline-to-sideline.
Notable Events and Milestones
One of Woods’s signature moments came in his senior year at McDonogh, when he starred on both sides of the ball to lead the Eagles to an 11-0 record and their first MIAA state championship. Professionally, his NFL debut on September 29, 2019, against the Minnesota Vikings stands as a milestone, along with his contract extensions with both the Bears and the Lions, which confirmed his value as a special teams cornerstone.
Josh Woods Career Wins
Josh Woods’s professional resume is built less on headline-grabbing victories and more on consistent production on special teams and rotational defensive snaps. Through the 2025 season, he has recorded 137 total tackles, 0.5 sacks, one forced fumble, and one fumble recovery, with most of that production coming on coverage units and in reserve linebacker duty.
NFL Highlights
Woods has appeared in regular-season games for the Chicago Bears, Detroit Lions, Arizona Cardinals, and Atlanta Falcons since 2019, when he made his debut against the Vikings. His most productive seasons statistically have come in his linebacker role with the Bears and Lions, where he logged the majority of his career tackles and earned multi-year commitments from each franchise.
While Woods has not been a primary playmaker on defense, his value has consistently shown up in the hidden yardage battle, where his special teams snaps help set up field position and limit return opportunities.
Other Wins and Performances
Beyond the NFL, Woods’s most prominent team success came in high school, where he helped McDonogh complete a perfect 11-0 season and capture the program’s first MIAA state championship. His academic recognition, including a four-year academic All-American honor and a 4.267 grade point average, stands as another notable off-field achievement.
Josh Woods Family
Family Background and Racing Lineage
Woods grew up in the Baltimore, Maryland, area, attending KIPP Baltimore for middle school before continuing at McDonogh School. Detailed information about his parents and broader family background is not publicly documented in available sources.
Personal Life
Publicly available information about Woods’s personal life, including marital status, spouse, and children, is limited. He is known to maintain a presence on social media, where fans can follow updates related to his football career.
2025 Season Performance
In the 2025 NFL season, Josh Woods is in the midst of his tenure with the Atlanta Falcons, where he signed to the practice squad in September 2024 before being promoted to the active roster in late December. His role has continued to center on special teams, with the Falcons relying on his experience and tackling to stabilize their coverage units.
As a reserve linebacker, Woods has provided rotational depth behind the Falcons’ top front-seven players, contributing to practice efficiency and in-game situational packages. The Falcons’ special teams units have used his background as a former defensive back to deploy him in coverage and lane-discipline roles.
Looking ahead, Woods’s path to extended 2025 playing time will likely come through continued strong work on special teams, where his reliability gives him a clear edge for active-roster retention. His veteran presence and positional flexibility make him a steady depth piece for Atlanta as the season progresses.
