Qadir Ismail Bio
Qadir Ismail, born February 17, 2000, is an American professional football tight end for the Chicago Bears of the National Football League (NFL). Standing 6 ft 6 in and listed at 245 lb, he is the son of former NFL wide receiver Qadry Ismail and the nephew of former professional players Raghib Ismail and Sulaiman Ismail. After going undrafted in the 2024 NFL draft, he has worked his way onto rosters through short stints and practice-squad opportunities across the league. He is currently listed as No. 80 on the Chicago Bears active roster.
Early Life and Background
Qadir Ismail was born in Boca Raton, Florida, and raised in a family with deep football roots. His father, Qadry Ismail, played wide receiver in the NFL for more than a decade, and his uncles Raghib Ismail and Sulaiman Ismail also played the sport at a high level. Growing up around the game, Ismail developed an early interest in football and competed in multiple sports throughout his youth.
Ismail attended The John Carroll School in Bel Air, Maryland, where he played football, basketball, and ran track. His multi-sport background helped him build the athleticism and size that would later define his professional profile as a pass catcher. The combination of a football-focused family and a disciplined high school program shaped his competitive approach and prepared him for the next step at the college level.
Path to Professional Football
Ismail began his college career at Villanova, where he played from 2018 through the 2021 season. He originally lined up at quarterback for the Wildcats, learning the passing game from the position that throws the football before eventually converting to wide receiver. The switch allowed him to use his size and athleticism as a target rather than as a thrower, setting the course for his eventual move to tight end.
Prior to the 2022 season, Ismail transferred to Samford, where he finished his collegiate career as a wide receiver for the Bulldogs across the 2022 and 2023 seasons. His time at Samford helped him refine his route running and blocking skills, and his size and frame made him a natural fit for the tight end position at the next level.
Qadir Ismail Career
Early Career (2024)
After going unselected in the 2024 NFL draft, Qadir Ismail signed with the Baltimore Ravens as an undrafted free agent on May 20, 2024. He was waived on August 27, 2024, and signed to the Baltimore Ravens practice squad the following day. His rookie year was spent developing within the Ravens organization and adjusting to the speed and complexity of the professional game.
Baltimore Ravens Era (2024)
Ismail’s first NFL opportunity came with the Baltimore Ravens, one of the league’s most consistent franchises. While he did not break through to the active roster during the regular season, his practice-squad role gave him a chance to learn from veteran coaches and players. The experience laid the groundwork for the series of moves that followed in 2025.
Las Vegas Raiders Era (2025)
On April 24, 2025, Ismail signed with the Las Vegas Raiders in search of a fresh opportunity. He remained with the team through the spring and summer before being waived on August 25, 2025. His time in Las Vegas offered a short window to compete for a depth spot in the Raiders’ tight end room.
New York Giants Era (2025)
Three days after his release from Las Vegas, on August 28, 2025, Ismail was signed to the New York Giants’ practice squad. He was released on September 16, 2025, after a brief stint that added another franchise to his professional résumé.
Jacksonville Jaguars Era (2025)
On October 8, 2025, Ismail signed with the Jacksonville Jaguars’ practice squad, only to be waived five days later. The short stop in Jacksonville reflected the difficult path undrafted players often face while trying to find a permanent NFL home.
Chicago Bears Era (2025–Present)
On November 24, 2025, Ismail signed with the Chicago Bears’ practice squad, finally securing a longer-term landing spot. On January 21, 2026, he signed a reserve/futures contract with Chicago, locking in his place with the franchise. He is currently listed as No. 80 on the Chicago Bears active roster and is expected to compete for a depth role in 2025 and beyond.
Driving Style and Strengths
Ismail’s primary strengths come from his combination of size, length, and athletic background. Standing 6 ft 6 in with a frame built for the tight end position, he offers the kind of red-zone target and in-line blocker that modern NFL offenses value. His history of playing quarterback and wide receiver gives him an advanced understanding of route concepts and coverage reads, which helps him operate efficiently in passing situations.
Notable Events and Milestones
Signing his first NFL deal with the Baltimore Ravens on May 20, 2024, marked Ismail’s official entry into professional football. Converting his futures deal with the Chicago Bears on January 21, 2026, stands as a key milestone, as it gave him his longest commitment from an NFL franchise to date.
Qadir Ismail Family
Family Background and Football Lineage
Qadir Ismail comes from one of the most recognizable football families in the country. His father, Qadry Ismail, was a wide receiver who played in the NFL for more than a decade. His uncles, Raghib Ismail and Sulaiman Ismail, also played professional football, giving the family a deep and well-known legacy at the highest levels of the sport. That football lineage shaped Qadir’s path and provided both motivation and guidance throughout his career.
Personal Life
Born and raised in Boca Raton, Florida, Qadir Ismail attended high school in Bel Air, Maryland, and built his college path through Villanova and Samford. He continues to be active on social media under the handle @qadir_ismaii on X, where fans can follow his professional updates.
2025 Season Performance
The 2025 season was a year of transition for Qadir Ismail, as he moved through four different organizations in search of the right fit. He signed with the Las Vegas Raiders in April, was waived in late August, briefly landed with the New York Giants’ practice squad, and was released in mid-September. A short practice-squad run with the Jacksonville Jaguars in October added another chapter before he finally settled in with the Chicago Bears in late November.
Once he joined the Chicago Bears on November 24, 2025, Ismail found the stability he had been searching for during the season. His work on the practice squad earned him a reserve/futures contract on January 21, 2026, securing his future with the franchise. The late-season move gave him a clear opportunity to enter the next training camp with a defined role to compete for.
Looking ahead, Ismail is expected to battle for a depth tight end spot on the Chicago Bears roster. His size, multi-sport athletic background, and family football pedigree give him a clear developmental upside as he continues his professional career.