Pharaoh Brown Bio
Pharaoh Brown is an American professional football tight end currently playing for the Arizona Cardinals of the National Football League (NFL). Standing 6 ft 5 in and weighing 260 lb, he has built a long career as a blocking and receiving tight end since entering the league in 2017. He previously played college football for the Oregon Ducks and was signed by the Oakland Raiders as an undrafted free agent following the 2017 NFL draft.
Over the course of his NFL tenure, Brown has appeared for the Oakland Raiders, Cleveland Browns, Houston Texans, Indianapolis Colts, New England Patriots, Seattle Seahawks, and Miami Dolphins before joining the Arizona Cardinals. Through the 2025 season, his career totals include 74 receptions for 752 receiving yards and 3 receiving touchdowns, reflecting a steady role as a depth tight end and special teams contributor across multiple franchises.
Early Life and Background
Pharaoh Brown was born on May 4, 1994, in Cleveland, Ohio, in the United States. He grew up in nearby Lyndhurst, Ohio, a suburb east of Cleveland, and developed his athletic foundation in that community. The Cleveland area has produced numerous professional football players, and Brown was part of a strong local pipeline of high school athletes advancing to the college level.
Brown attended Brush High School in Lyndhurst, where he played both football and basketball before graduating in June 2012. His combination of size, athleticism, and coordination allowed him to stand out as a tight end prospect, drawing early attention from major college football programs. The multi-sport background also helped shape the body control and competitiveness that he would later bring to his tight end duties.
During the college recruiting process, Brown initially committed to play for the Michigan Wolverines in May 2011. He later reconsidered his options and ultimately signed his national letter of intent to play at the University of Oregon in February 2012, choosing the Ducks over his original Big Ten commitment.
Path to the NFL
Brown played college football at the University of Oregon from 2012 through 2016 under the Ducks program. As a freshman in 2012, he had a limited role, being targeted only three times and finishing with two receptions for 42 yards. The following season, he appeared in seven games with three starts and recorded 10 receptions for 123 yards and two touchdowns, showing gradual development as a pass catcher.
During his junior year in 2014, Brown produced the most productive touchdown stretch of his college career, catching six touchdowns while appearing in nine games with eight starts. He finished the season with 25 receptions for 420 yards and was recognized with First-team All-Pac-12 honors. His momentum was halted in 2015 when he missed the entire season after suffering a severe leg injury during the 2014 campaign, tearing two ligaments in his knee during a game against Utah.
Brown returned for his senior season in 2016, appearing in nine games with eight starts. He was targeted 46 times, making 33 receptions for 426 yards and five touchdowns, and earned First-team All-Pac-12 recognition for the second time. Despite his productive college resume, he went undrafted in the 2017 NFL draft and signed with the Oakland Raiders as an undrafted free agent on May 5, 2017.
Pharaoh Brown Career
Early Career (2017–2018)
Brown began his professional career with the Oakland Raiders, joining the practice squad shortly after being waived in early September 2017. He was promoted to the active roster on December 23, 2017, and finished his rookie season with the organization. The following year, on September 1, 2018, he was waived by the Raiders and quickly caught on with the Cleveland Browns’ practice squad on September 25, 2018.
With the Browns, Brown was elevated to the active roster on October 23, 2018, before being placed on injured reserve on December 8, 2018, with a shoulder injury. He re-signed with the Browns on April 20, 2020, but began training camp on the active/physically unable to perform list before being activated ten days later. He was waived by the Browns on September 6, 2020, ending his first stint with the franchise.
Houston Texans Era (2020–2022)
Brown signed with the Houston Texans practice squad on September 14, 2020, and was promoted to the active roster the following day. He appeared in his first game action of the 2020 season and recorded his first professional touchdown in Week 10 against the Cleveland Browns, an early milestone in his career. He re-signed with the Texans on March 24, 2021, and went on to play in 15 games with 12 starts, recording 23 catches for 171 yards while serving as a regular contributor at tight end.
In 2022, Brown re-signed with the Texans on March 24 but was waived on October 4, 2022, after a short stretch with the team. His time in Houston represented his longest and most productive stretch to that point, establishing him as a dependable tight end who could play on early downs, contribute in the passing game, and serve on special teams.
Cleveland Browns Return and Colts (2022–2023)
On October 6, 2022, Brown was signed by the Cleveland Browns for a second stint with the franchise. He appeared in 13 games for Cleveland, hauling in 5 catches for 45 yards while primarily working in a rotational role. The Browns waived him after the 2022 season, and on April 10, 2023, he signed with the Indianapolis Colts, looking to add veteran depth at tight end.
Brown was released by the Colts on August 29, 2023, during final roster cuts, ending a short offseason stint in Indianapolis. The release set up a quick transition to his next opportunity in the AFC East.
Patriots, Seahawks, and Dolphins (2023–2025)
On August 30, 2023, Brown signed with the New England Patriots practice squad, and he was promoted to the active roster on September 4, 2023. On September 24, 2023, he scored his first touchdown for the Patriots against the New York Jets on a 58-yard pass from quarterback Mac Jones, a signature play during his brief time in New England. He was released later in the 2023 season.
On March 12, 2024, Brown signed with the Seattle Seahawks, where he made 15 appearances with seven starts and posted 8 receptions for 65 yards. He then signed a one-year contract with the Miami Dolphins on March 14, 2025, but was released on August 26, 2025, as part of final roster cuts. The Dolphins released cleared the way for his next move to the Arizona Cardinals.
Arizona Cardinals Era (2025–Present)
On October 15, 2025, Brown signed with the Arizona Cardinals’ practice squad, joining a tight end room in need of veteran depth midway through the season. He was promoted to the active roster on December 3, 2025, and has since provided tight end depth and special teams support for the Cardinals down the stretch. His veteran experience and familiarity with multiple offensive systems have made him a useful late-season addition as Arizona pushes toward the postseason.
Driving Style and Strengths
Brown is known as a physical, assignment-sound tight end who excels as an in-line blocker on running plays and in short-yardage situations. His 6 ft 5 in frame and 260 lb build allow him to handle defensive ends and outside linebackers at the point of attack, while his basketball background contributes to above-average body control when adjusting to passes. He is regarded as a reliable depth tight end and a core special teams player, traits that have helped him stay in the league across multiple teams.
Notable Events and Milestones
Brown’s first career NFL touchdown came in Week 10 of the 2020 season with the Houston Texans against the Cleveland Browns, his hometown team. He later produced one of the most memorable plays of his career with the New England Patriots, a 58-yard touchdown reception from Mac Jones against the New York Jets on September 24, 2023. Across his career, he has been recognized as a two-time First-team All-Pac-12 selection, in 2014 and 2016, and has continued to contribute as a veteran presence into the 2025 NFL season.
Pharaoh Brown Career Highlights
Pharaoh Brown’s professional career has been built on steady contributions as a tight end and special teams player across nine NFL franchises. While he has not been a featured offensive weapon, he has consistently earned roles as a blocker, situational receiver, and core special teams player. His longevity is itself a milestone, as he has remained active in the league since 2017 and continues to play in 2025 with the Arizona Cardinals.
NFL Highlights
Brown’s most productive NFL season came in 2021 with the Houston Texans, when he played in 15 games with 12 starts and recorded 23 receptions for 171 yards. He scored his first professional touchdown in 2020 and added another long score with the Patriots in 2023, while continuing to log meaningful snaps in the run game. Through the 2025 season, his career totals stand at 74 receptions, 752 receiving yards, and 3 receiving touchdowns, reflecting his role as a reliable complementary tight end.
Other Performances
Outside of the NFL, Brown’s most notable achievements came at the collegiate level, where he earned First-team All-Pac-12 honors in both 2014 and 2016 for the Oregon Ducks. He also appeared on the active rosters and practice squads of the Oakland Raiders, Cleveland Browns, Houston Texans, Indianapolis Colts, New England Patriots, Seattle Seahawks, and Miami Dolphins, demonstrating sustained value as a veteran tight end.
Pharaoh Brown Family
Family Background and Personal Life
Publicly verified details about Pharaoh Brown’s family background, including his parents and any racing or athletic lineage, are limited. What is established is that he was born and raised in the Cleveland, Ohio area, attending Brush High School in Lyndhurst, and that he has remained connected to the region throughout his career, including two separate stints with the Cleveland Browns.
Personal Life
Brown is a United States citizen and grew up in Lyndhurst, Ohio, before moving west to attend the University of Oregon. Verified public information about a spouse, partner, or children is not available. He maintains an active presence on social media, including on X (formerly Twitter) and Instagram under his own name.
2025 Season Performance
Brown entered the 2025 NFL season with the Miami Dolphins after signing a one-year contract on March 14, 2025. He was released by the Dolphins on August 26, 2025, as part of the final roster cuts before the regular season, leaving him available as a free agent early in the campaign. The release came after a long offseason that ultimately did not result in a spot on Miami’s 53-man roster.
On October 15, 2025, Brown signed with the Arizona Cardinals’ practice squad, giving him an opportunity to rejoin an active roster midway through the year. He was promoted to the Cardinals’ active roster on December 3, 2025, providing Arizona with additional tight end depth and special teams experience during the final weeks of the regular season. As the Cardinals push toward the postseason, Brown’s veteran presence and blocking ability are expected to play a supporting role in the team’s late-season plans.