Matt Henningsen Bio
Matthew D. Henningsen (born July 9, 1999) is an American professional football defensive end for the Denver Broncos of the National Football League (NFL). Standing 6 feet 3 inches tall and listed at 291 pounds, Henningsen plays a rotational role on the Broncos defensive line, contributing as a pass rusher and run defender. He played college football for the Wisconsin Badgers before being selected by Denver in the sixth round, 206th overall, of the 2022 NFL draft.
Through his first three professional seasons, Henningsen appeared in 34 regular-season games, recording 40 total tackles, 1 sack, and 2 pass deflections. Known for his off-the-field intellect and interests outside of football, he has built a reputation as one of the more academically accomplished players in the league.
Early Life and Background
Matthew D. Henningsen was born on July 9, 1999, in Menomonee Falls, Wisconsin, where he grew up and attended Menomonee Falls High School. He came from a family with a strong academic and professional background, as both of his parents worked as lawyers. Henningsen has three brothers, and all four siblings played football at Menomonee Falls before later earning degrees at the University of Wisconsin–Madison.
The Henningsen household placed a clear emphasis on both athletics and education. That balance shaped Matthew’s formative years, giving him a disciplined routine that paired competitive sports with serious academic work. Football, however, became his primary pursuit during his high school years, where he developed into a Division I recruit.
Path to American Football
Henningsen’s path to collegiate football began at Menomonee Falls High School, where his play on the defensive line attracted attention from Big Ten programs. His combination of size, length, and motor made him a target for several Midwest schools, but he ultimately committed to the University of Wisconsin, a program with a long tradition of developing NFL-caliber defensive linemen.
Arriving in Madison in 2017, Henningsen spent his early college years working to add strength and refine his technique. As he progressed through the program, he earned a larger role on the Badgers’ defensive front. By his senior season in 2021, his consistent production earned him Third-team All-Big Ten honors, establishing him as a draft-worthy prospect heading into the 2022 NFL cycle.
Matt Henningsen Career
Early Career (2022–2023)
Henningsen was selected by the Denver Broncos in the sixth round, 206th overall, of the 2022 NFL draft. As a rookie, he appeared in all 17 regular-season games, finishing the year with 1 sack and 21 total tackles. The heavy snap count demonstrated the Broncos’ early trust in his ability to contribute on defense and special teams.
In the 2023 season, Henningsen once again played in all 17 games, recording 19 total tackles and 2 passes defended. While his raw production remained modest, his durability and versatility kept him firmly in the team’s defensive rotation and laid the groundwork for further development.
Denver Broncos Era (2022–Present)
On August 27, 2024, Henningsen was waived by the Broncos as part of the team’s roster shaping ahead of the regular season. The next day, he was re-signed to Denver’s practice squad, keeping him within the organization. On January 13, 2025, he signed a reserve/future contract with the Broncos, securing his return to the active roster for the following season.
During a joint practice with the San Francisco 49ers in August 2025, Henningsen suffered a torn Achilles and was designated as waived/injured on August 10, 2025. He reverted to injured reserve the following day, ruling him out for the entirety of the 2025 season. On March 11, 2026, Henningsen signed a one-year extension with the Broncos, signaling the team’s continued confidence in his long-term role.
Driving Style and Strengths
As a defensive end, Henningsen relies on leverage, hand usage, and effort to compensate for the elite athleticism of the offensive tackles he faces. He has shown the ability to contribute against the run and to pressure the passer in rotational duty. His football intelligence, developed through years of classroom work, helps him diagnose plays quickly and align properly within Denver’s defensive scheme.
Notable Events and Milestones
One of the defining early moments of Henningsen’s career was playing all 17 games as a rookie, an unusual feat for a late-round draft pick. His Third-team All-Big Ten selection in 2021 validated his college trajectory, and his 2026 re-signing with the Broncos underlined the franchise’s belief in his long-term value despite his injury setback.
Matt Henningsen Career Wins
Matt Henningsen has notched steady production as a rotational defensive end since entering the NFL. Across his verified professional regular-season appearances, he has accumulated 40 total tackles, 1 sack, and 2 pass deflections, with his statistical peak coming during his 2022 rookie campaign.
NFL Highlights
Henningsen’s first NFL sack came during his rookie season in 2022, a year in which he also set his career high in tackles with 21. In 2023, he added 19 tackles and 2 passes defended while maintaining a perfect attendance record. His third verified season was cut short by injury, but his body of work positioned him for a return once healthy.
Other Performances
At the college level, Henningsen’s most notable individual recognition was his Third-team All-Big Ten selection in 2021, the capstone of a five-year career at Wisconsin. He finished his Badgers tenure as a respected member of the defensive line rotation, contributing to several winning seasons in Madison.
Matt Henningsen Family
Family Background and Football Lineage
Henningsen was raised in Menomonee Falls, Wisconsin, by two parents who both built careers as lawyers. He grew up alongside three brothers, and the family established a clear pattern of combining athletic and academic excellence.
Personal Life
All four Henningsen brothers played football at Menomonee Falls High School and went on to earn degrees at the University of Wisconsin–Madison. Outside of football, Matthew is an avid chess player who streams games on Twitch, and he also plays the fantasy role-playing game Dungeons & Dragons. He holds both a bachelor’s and a master’s degree in electrical engineering and has contributed to neurosurgery research efforts at UW–Madison, making him one of the most academically credentialed players in the NFL.
2025 Season Performance
The 2025 season was a difficult year for Henningsen. After signing a reserve/future contract with the Broncos in January 2025, he entered training camp with an opportunity to compete for an expanded role along the defensive line. Those plans, however, were disrupted during a joint practice with the San Francisco 49ers, when he suffered a torn Achilles.
Henningsen was designated as waived/injured on August 10, 2025, and reverted to injured reserve the following day, officially ruling him out for the entire 2025 season. The injury stalled his on-field momentum and forced him to focus on recovery and rehabilitation rather than game preparation.
Despite the lost season, Henningsen and the Broncos moved forward together, agreeing to a one-year extension on March 11, 2026. That agreement signaled Denver’s confidence in his long-term fit on the roster and set the stage for his return to the field once he is fully healthy.