Matthew Bergeron Bio
Matthew Kambolambi Bergeron is a Canadian professional football guard for the Atlanta Falcons of the National Football League (NFL). Born and raised in Quebec, Bergeron moved to the United States to play college football at Syracuse University before being selected in the second round of the 2023 NFL Draft. A native French speaker who learned English in school, he has quickly become a mainstay on the Atlanta offensive line, starting every game he has appeared in since entering the league.
Matthew Bergeron Early Life and Background
Matthew Kambolambi Bergeron was born on February 26, 2000, in Victoriaville, Quebec, Canada. He was raised by a Congolese father and a Quebec-born mother, giving him a multicultural upbringing that shaped his early years. Bergeron grew up speaking French as his first language and learned English in school, a bilingual background that has followed him throughout his athletic career.
Bergeron attended Cégep de Thetford in Quebec, where he played for the school’s gridiron football team. His time at Cégep de Thetford introduced him to organized American football and helped him develop the foundation that would eventually lead to a professional career. The Quebec gridiron system provided Bergeron with crucial early experience and visibility among recruiters south of the border.
Matthew Bergeron Path to American Football
After completing his studies at Cégep de Thetford, Bergeron made the decision to move to the United States to pursue college football at Syracuse University. The transition from the Canadian gridiron scene to NCAA Division I football represented a significant step up in competition. He enrolled at Syracuse and joined the Syracuse Orange football program, where he would spend the next four seasons developing into a top professional prospect.
At Syracuse, Bergeron graduated with a degree in social work from the David B. Falk College of Sport and Human Dynamics, balancing his academic commitments with a demanding athletic schedule. His combination of size, footwork, and football IQ allowed him to earn playing time early in his college career. By the end of his tenure with the Orange, he had established himself as one of the most consistent offensive linemen in the Atlantic Coast Conference (ACC).
Matthew Bergeron Career
Early Career at Syracuse (2019–2022)
Bergeron played in 46 of Syracuse’s games through four seasons, making 39 starts between right tackle and left tackle. As a freshman, he appeared in all 12 games with five starts at right tackle, immediately showing he could handle the speed and physicality of the college game. His early contributions helped solidify the Orange offensive line and earned him additional responsibility in the seasons that followed.
During his sophomore season, Bergeron started all 11 of Syracuse’s games, beginning the year at right tackle before moving to left tackle for the last eight contests. The positional switch demonstrated his versatility and football intelligence. In 2021, he was named honorable mention All-Atlantic Coast Conference, and he entered his junior year as a team captain. By the end of the 2022 season, Bergeron had been voted second-team All-ACC, cementing his status as one of the top offensive linemen in the conference.
NFL Draft and Rookie Season (2023)
Bergeron was also selected to participate in the 2023 Senior Bowl, where he played as a guard, showcasing his positional flexibility to NFL scouts. He was ranked as the number one Canadian prospect ahead of the 2023 CFL Draft but ultimately went undrafted by Canadian Football League teams. Instead, his path led him directly to the NFL after a strong showing at the Senior Bowl and throughout the draft evaluation process.
The Atlanta Falcons selected Bergeron with the 38th overall pick in the second round of the 2023 NFL Draft, making him the first NFL draftee from his hometown of Victoriaville, Quebec. As a rookie, he started in all 17 games during the 2023 season, an impressive accomplishment for a young offensive lineman adjusting to the professional level. His immediate impact validated Atlanta’s decision to use an early draft pick on the former Syracuse standout.
Atlanta Falcons Era (2023–Present)
Since joining the Atlanta Falcons, Bergeron has been a fixture on the offensive line, logging 49 games started through 49 games played, according to his career NFL statistics. His durability and consistency have made him a reliable presence at the guard position. Bergeron has continued to develop his craft, working closely with the Falcons coaching staff to refine his pass protection and run blocking techniques.
Now in his third professional season, Bergeron remains an active member of the Atlanta Falcons roster. His journey from a French-speaking kid in Quebec to a second-round NFL draft pick exemplifies the growing pipeline of Canadian talent entering the league. The Falcons have relied on his steady play as they build their offensive identity around a strong running game and developing passing attack.
Driving Style and Strengths
Matthew Bergeron is listed at 6 feet 5 inches tall and 315 pounds, giving him the prototypical size for an NFL guard. His track record of starting every game he has played in points to excellent conditioning and durability. Bergeron has demonstrated positional versatility throughout his career, having started games at both right tackle and left tackle in college before settling in at guard in the NFL. His combination of length, strength, and football intelligence makes him well suited for the physical demands of professional offensive line play.
Notable Events and Milestones
One of the defining milestones of Bergeron’s career came when he was selected 38th overall by the Atlanta Falcons in the 2023 NFL Draft, making him the first NFL draftee from Victoriaville, Quebec. His second-team All-ACC selection in 2022 served as a springboard to that draft selection. Additionally, his appearance at the 2023 Senior Bowl allowed him to showcase his skills against the top senior talent in college football, further boosting his draft stock.
Matthew Bergeron Career Wins
As an offensive lineman, Matthew Bergeron’s career achievements are measured less in individual victories and more in his consistent contributions to team success. He earned second-team All-ACC honors in 2022 and was selected to participate in the prestigious Senior Bowl in 2023. Being drafted in the second round of the NFL Draft stands as the most significant professional milestone of his career to date.
Atlanta Falcons Highlights
Since being drafted by the Atlanta Falcons in 2023, Bergeron has started all 49 games he has played in, an extraordinary durability record for a young offensive lineman. He began his NFL career by starting all 17 games during his rookie 2023 season, an accomplishment that demonstrated his readiness for the professional level. His reliability has made him a foundational piece of the Falcons offensive line heading into the 2025 season.
Matthew Bergeron Family
Family Background and Racing Lineage
Matthew Kambolambi Bergeron was born to a Congolese father and a Quebec-born mother, giving him a diverse cultural heritage that bridges Central Africa and French Canada. Growing up in Victoriaville, Quebec, he was immersed in French Canadian culture while also being connected to his father’s Congolese roots. This multicultural background helped shape his worldview and adaptability, qualities that have served him well as he has navigated moves from Quebec to Syracuse to the NFL.
Personal Life
Bergeron grew up as a native French speaker, learning English in school before eventually moving to the United States for college. He graduated from Syracuse University with a degree in social work from the David B. Falk College of Sport and Human Dynamics, reflecting his commitment to education alongside athletics. He continues to build his professional career with the Atlanta Falcons, representing both his Quebec hometown and his Congolese heritage on the NFL stage.
2025 Season Performance
Heading into the 2025 NFL season, Matthew Bergeron remains a key member of the Atlanta Falcons offensive line. After starting all 17 games as a rookie in 2023 and continuing his iron-man streak into his second season, he has established himself as one of the most reliable young guards in the league. The Falcons are expected to lean on Bergeron’s experience and consistency as they look to compete in a competitive NFC South division.
Bergeron will look to build on his second-team All-ACC foundation and translate his college success into sustained professional production. With multiple full NFL seasons now under his belt, he enters 2025 with greater familiarity of opposing defensive schemes and improved communication with the rest of the Atlanta offensive line. His continued development will be an important factor in the Falcons’ hopes of returning to playoff contention.
As one of the few Quebec-born players currently active in the NFL, Bergeron also carries the pride of his hometown of Victoriaville and the broader Canadian football community. His journey from Cégep de Thetford to the NFL stands as a model for future Canadian players hoping to make the jump to the professional American game. The 2025 season represents another opportunity for Bergeron to solidify his place among the league’s most dependable young offensive linemen.
