Kyle Hergel Bio
Kyle Hergel is a Canadian professional American football guard for the Chicago Bears of the National Football League (NFL). Standing 6 ft 2 in and listed at 315 lb, Hergel plays the interior offensive line and has continued to develop his career after going undrafted in 2024. He played college football for the North Dakota Fighting Hawks, Texas State Bobcats, and Boston College Eagles, building a reputation for physicality across multiple levels of competition.
Born in Toronto, Ontario, Hergel has carried his blue-collar playing style into the professional ranks, working his way up from undrafted free agent to an active NFL roster. His journey through the Canadian Football League (CFL) draft, the New Orleans Saints practice squad, and ultimately the Bears reflects the persistence that has defined his career path.
Early Life and Background
Kyle Hergel was born on October 7, 1999, in Toronto, Ontario, Canada, and grew up in nearby Mississauga. He attended Clarkson Secondary School, where he served as team captain of the football program. Despite his leadership role in high school, Hergel received no offers to play Division I college football coming out of Clarkson.
Facing limited options at the top collegiate level, Hergel initially committed to play for New Mexico Military Institute, a junior college program. However, he received a last-minute offer from the University of North Dakota and accepted, choosing to begin his collegiate career with the Fighting Hawks rather than take the junior college route.
Path to American Football
Hergel’s route to the professional game was unconventional. After high school, he bet on himself at the Football Championship Subdivision (FCS) level, beginning at North Dakota in 2018. He redshirted his first year, appearing in just one game, before becoming a full-time starter in 2019. That season, he started all 12 games at right guard and was chosen the FCS Independent Newcomer of the Year, an early signal that his physical, aggressive style could translate to higher levels.
Following the 2020 season, Hergel entered the NCAA transfer portal and moved up to the Football Bowl Subdivision (FBS), joining the Texas State Bobcats. After a strong year in the Sun Belt Conference, he transferred once more to the Boston College Eagles of the Atlantic Coast Conference (ACC) for his final collegiate season. Across his three stops, Hergel accumulated 54 career starts, allowing only five sacks on 1,774 offensive snaps, numbers that ultimately earned him an invitation to the 2024 East-West Shrine Bowl.
Kyle Hergel Career
Early Career (2018-2020)
Hergel began his college career at North Dakota in 2018, where he redshirted and saw action in only one game. The experience allowed him to adjust to the speed and demands of the college game while adding size and strength to his frame.
In 2019, he became a starter and started all 12 games at right guard for the Fighting Hawks. Hergel has described his biggest strength as his nastiness, saying he prides himself on being the meanest guy on the field at all times. That mentality fueled his selection as the FCS Independent Newcomer of the Year. In the shortened 2020-21 season, he started the first five games before entering the transfer portal in search of a bigger stage.
Texas State Bobcats (2021-2022)
Joining the Texas State Bobcats for the 2021 season, Hergel stepped into the FBS ranks and immediately earned a starting role. He started all 12 games, primarily at right guard, and was selected as an honorable mention All-Sun Belt Conference performer in his first year in the league.
Entering 2022, Hergel was named a team captain. He started all 12 games that season and was recognized as a first-team all-conference selection by Pro Football Focus (PFF). His play at Texas State established him as a reliable, durable interior lineman and helped generate interest from Power Five programs for his final year of eligibility.
Boston College Eagles (2023)
For the 2023 season, Hergel transferred to the Boston College Eagles of the ACC, taking on the highest level of college competition he had faced. He started all 13 games and was chosen as an honorable mention All-ACC selection, cementing his status as one of the most experienced offensive linemen in the country.
Across his three college stops, Hergel finished with 54 career starts, allowing just five sacks on 1,774 offensive snaps. He was invited to the 2024 East-West Shrine Bowl, an all-star showcase that helped position him for an NFL opportunity despite going unselected in the 2024 NFL Draft.
New Orleans Saints Era (2024-2025)
After going unselected in the 2024 NFL Draft, Hergel signed with the New Orleans Saints as an undrafted free agent. He was also selected by the Saskatchewan Roughriders with the third overall pick of the 2024 CFL Draft, giving him options on both sides of the border. He was waived by the Saints on August 27, 2024, and re-signed to the team’s practice squad.
Hergel was elevated to the active roster for New Orleans’s Week 4 game against the Atlanta Falcons and made his NFL debut in the 26-24 loss, appearing on four special teams snaps. He was waived on November 2, re-signed to the practice squad, promoted to the active roster on November 30, and waived again on December 7. The Saints re-signed him to the practice squad on December 10 before signing him to the active roster on December 28. He was waived by New Orleans on August 25, 2025.
Chicago Bears Era (2025-Present)
On November 4, 2025, Hergel signed with the Chicago Bears’ practice squad, beginning a new chapter in his professional career. The move gave him an opportunity to work with a new organization and continue his development within the NFC North.
On January 20, 2026, Hergel signed a reserve/futures contract with the Bears, securing his place on the team’s offseason roster. He currently wears jersey No. 60 for Chicago and is listed as an active guard on the roster.
Driving Style and Strengths
Hergel has built his reputation as a physical, aggressive interior lineman. He has publicly described his biggest strength as his nastiness, saying he prides himself on being the meanest guy on the field at all times. That edge, combined with positional versatility across guard spots and proven durability over 54 college starts, defines his professional profile.
Notable Events and Milestones
Key milestones in Hergel’s career include being named the FCS Independent Newcomer of the Year in 2019, earning first-team all-conference honors at Texas State in 2022, and being selected third overall in the 2024 CFL Draft by the Saskatchewan Roughriders. He made his NFL debut in 2024 with the New Orleans Saints and has since transitioned to the Chicago Bears.
Kyle Hergel Career Wins
As an offensive lineman, Kyle Hergel’s career is measured less in win totals and more in starts, durability, and individual recognition. Across his college stops at North Dakota, Texas State, and Boston College, he accumulated 54 starts and allowed just five sacks on 1,774 offensive snaps, a hallmark of consistency and pass protection.
Other Wins & Performances
Hergel’s standout performances include starting all 12 games at North Dakota in 2019, all 12 games at Texas State in both 2021 and 2022, and all 13 games at Boston College in 2023. He has earned FCS Independent Newcomer of the Year, All-Sun Belt honorable mention, first-team All-Sun Belt by PFF, and honorable mention All-ACC recognition.
Kyle Hergel Family
Personal Life
Kyle Hergel was born in Toronto, Ontario, and grew up in Mississauga, where he attended Clarkson Secondary School. Public details about his immediate family are limited, and he has largely kept his personal life out of the spotlight as he focuses on his professional career.
2025 Season Performance
Kyle Hergel’s 2025 season began with the New Orleans Saints, who waived him on August 25, 2025, ahead of the regular season. The release opened the door for a fresh opportunity elsewhere, and on November 4, 2025, he signed with the Chicago Bears’ practice squad, giving him a chance to develop within a new organization.
Across his NFL career through 2025, Hergel has appeared in 8 games, building his resume as a depth interior lineman and special teams contributor. His journey from undrafted free agent to practice squad signee reflects a steady, uphill climb that he continues to navigate.
Looking ahead, Hergel’s January 2026 reserve/futures contract with the Bears positions him to compete for a roster spot entering the 2026 offseason. His experience, positional flexibility, and physical style of play make him a strong candidate to push for an elevated role on Chicago’s offensive line.