Montrell Washington Bio
Montrell Washington is an American professional football wide receiver and return specialist who has competed in the National Football League (NFL) and the United Football League (UFL). Born on March 14, 1999, in Canton, Georgia, he played college football for the Samford Bulldogs from 2017 to 2021 before being selected by the Denver Broncos in the fifth round of the 2022 NFL Draft. Over the course of his professional career, Washington has also been a member of the Kansas City Chiefs and the New York Giants, and he was part of the Chiefs roster that won Super Bowl LVIII following the 2023 season.
Listed at 5 feet 10 inches and 170 pounds, Washington has carved out a role in professional football primarily through his work on special teams. In addition to his duties as a returner, he has lined up at wide receiver when called upon. His journey from a small-town high school in Georgia to a Super Bowl championship ring illustrates the patience and perseverance required to build a career at the game’s highest level.
Early Life and Background
Montrell Washington was born and raised in Canton, Georgia, a community located northwest of Atlanta in Cherokee County. He grew up in a region where high school football is woven into the local culture, and he attended Cherokee High School in Canton. It was there that he began to develop the speed, hands, and field awareness that would eventually attract the attention of college recruiters.
Washington comes from a family that supported his athletic ambitions, though specific details about his parents and siblings have not been publicly confirmed. His upbringing in Georgia exposed him to a strong football tradition, and he emerged from Cherokee High School as one of the more intriguing small-school prospects in his class. His performance at the high school level opened the door to continue his football career at the collegiate level.
Standing 5 feet 10 inches tall, Washington entered college as an under-the-radar recruit. His frame and athletic profile suggested a player best suited for a role in the slot or as a return specialist, and he would spend the next several years refining those skills at Samford University in Birmingham, Alabama.
Path to American Football
After completing his high school career at Cherokee in Canton, Washington accepted a scholarship to play for the Samford Bulldogs, the football team representing Samford University in the Southern Conference (SoCon) of the NCAA Division I Football Championship Subdivision (FCS). He joined the program in 2017 and spent five seasons developing his game, working primarily as a wide receiver and as a return man on special teams.
Washington’s growth at Samford was steady and measurable. During the 2019 season, he earned First-team FCS All-American recognition, a significant honor that placed him among the most accomplished players in his subdivision. He also collected Second-team All-SoCon accolades that same year, underscoring his value as both a pass catcher and a returner. His production over the next two seasons continued to build his professional resume, and in 2021 he was named First-team All-SoCon, cementing his status as one of the top FCS prospects at his position.
Following the 2021 college campaign, Washington declared for the 2022 NFL Draft. His performance at Samford, combined with his tested athleticism, convinced the Denver Broncos to invest a fifth-round selection in him. He was chosen with the 162nd overall pick, launching his professional career in the NFL.
Montrell Washington Career
Early Career (2022)
Montrell Washington began his professional career with the Denver Broncos after being selected in the fifth round of the 2022 NFL Draft. As a rookie, he appeared in 15 games and made one start, an immediate vote of confidence from the Denver coaching staff. His primary responsibilities came on special teams, where he handled kick and punt return duties and provided valuable field position for the Broncos.
Although he did not log extensive offensive statistics during his rookie season, Washington showed flashes of the speed and elusiveness that had made him a productive returner at Samford. His work in the return game offered the Broncos a dimension they had been seeking. However, the following preseason, on August 29, 2023, Washington was waived by Denver, ending his initial NFL chapter.
Kansas City Chiefs Breakthrough (2023–2024)
Just two days after his release from Denver, on August 31, 2023, Washington was signed to the practice squad of the Kansas City Chiefs. He impressed the Chiefs’ staff enough to earn a promotion to the active roster on September 27, 2023. Although he was waived on October 19 of that year, he remained part of the organization as the Chiefs marched toward the postseason.
Washington was a member of the Chiefs roster when Kansas City defeated the San Francisco 49ers to win Super Bowl LVIII, earning him a championship ring. Following the title run, on February 14, Washington signed a reserve/futures contract with Kansas City to remain with the team. The Chiefs waived him on August 27, 2024, but quickly re-signed him to the practice squad, demonstrating their continued interest in his special teams abilities. He was released on December 30 and re-signed to the practice squad eight days later, closing out his second stint in Kansas City.
New York Giants Era (2025)
On February 14, 2025, Washington signed with the New York Giants, joining another NFL franchise in search of a reliable returner. His time in New York, however, was brief. On August 22, 2025, Washington was released by the Giants as the team trimmed its roster ahead of the regular season. The transaction reflected the increasingly competitive nature of the league’s bottom-of-roster battles, where return specialists must consistently prove their value.
Despite the short tenure, Washington’s move to the Giants illustrated his continued demand across the league. Teams recognized his speed and his track record of contributing on special teams, even if his offensive snap counts remained limited.
Driving Style and Strengths
Washington’s professional profile is built around quickness, vision, and dependable hands in the return game. His 5-foot-10 frame allows him to operate effectively in confined spaces, and his background as a college returner translates well to the speed of the NFL. Coaches have valued his preparation, his willingness to embrace a special teams role, and his reliability in fielding kicks under pressure.
Notable Events and Milestones
The defining milestone of Washington’s career to date came when he was part of the Kansas City Chiefs team that won Super Bowl LVIII. His selection in the fifth round of the 2022 NFL Draft and his steady climb from practice squad contributor to a championship-winning roster stand as the most notable achievements of his professional journey. His First-team FCS All-American honor in 2019 also remains a signature individual accomplishment.
Montrell Washington Career Wins
Montrell Washington has built a professional resume highlighted more by team success and consistent special teams contributions than by overwhelming individual statistical totals. His most celebrated victory came as a member of the Kansas City Chiefs squad that captured Super Bowl LVIII. Across his stops in Denver, Kansas City, and New York, he has been valued for his reliability in the return game and his readiness to contribute when called upon.
NFL Highlights
Washington’s NFL career statistics through the 2024 season include 4 receptions for 2 receiving yards, 30 rushing yards, and 706 return yards. His most significant highlight remains his role on the Chiefs’ Super Bowl LVIII championship team. Beyond that, he has posted dependable work on kick and punt returns, providing his teams with quality field position throughout multiple seasons.
Other Wins & Performances
At the collegiate level, Washington’s accolades speak to a productive career with the Samford Bulldogs. He earned First-team FCS All-American honors in 2019, along with First-team All-SoCon recognition in 2021 and Second-team All-SoCon honors in both 2019 and 2021. These awards underscore his development as one of the most respected FCS players at his position during his time in the Southern Conference.
Montrell Washington Family
Family Background and Racing Lineage
Public information about Montrell Washington’s immediate family remains limited. He was raised in Canton, Georgia, and grew up in an environment where football played a central role in community life. Details about his parents and any siblings have not been widely confirmed in available sources.
Personal Life
Montrell Washington has kept much of his personal life private. There is no publicly confirmed information regarding a spouse or children. His focus since entering the NFL in 2022 has centered on his professional development and on securing a steady role on team rosters, first with Denver, then with Kansas City, and most recently with the New York Giants.
2025 Season Performance
The 2025 season began with Washington signing a futures contract with the New York Giants on February 14, 2025, providing him an opportunity to compete for a roster spot in training camp. He participated in the team’s offseason program and entered preseason preparations as a candidate to handle return duties. On August 22, however, he was released by the Giants, concluding his brief tenure in New York.
Looking ahead, Washington remained active in professional football. On January 14, 2026, he was selected by the DC Defenders of the United Football League, offering him a fresh opportunity to showcase his return skills in the spring football league. His career arc through 2025 reflects the journeyman reality many late-round picks and special teams contributors face, with each stop providing another chance to demonstrate his value on game day.
For the remainder of 2025 and into the new year, Washington’s outlook centers on continuing to compete at a high level and on earning another opportunity to contribute on special teams. His experience, championship pedigree from Super Bowl LVIII, and proven return ability position him as a candidate for future NFL or UFL opportunities whenever a roster need arises.