Roy Robertson-Harris Bio
Roy Robertson-Harris is an American professional football defensive end for the New York Giants of the National Football League (NFL). Standing 6 feet 7 inches tall and listed at 300 pounds, he plays on the defensive line and has built a steady career as a rotational pass rusher since entering the league in 2016. Robertson-Harris played college football for the UTEP Miners and has previously suited up for the Chicago Bears, Jacksonville Jaguars, and Seattle Seahawks.
Born in Oakland, California, Robertson-Harris went undrafted in the 2016 NFL Draft before signing with the Chicago Bears. Over the following seasons he developed into a reliable edge defender, eventually landing a multi-year contract with the Jaguars and later a deal with the Giants. He is currently in his tenth NFL season.
Early Life and Background
Roy Robertson-Harris was born on July 23, 1993, in Oakland, California. He grew up in the Bay Area before later relocating to Texas, where he attended South Grand Prairie High School in Grand Prairie. His size and frame developed early, and he emerged as a promising defensive prospect during his high school years.
Coming out of high school, Robertson-Harris drew attention from college programs and committed to the University of Texas at El Paso, where he would spend the next five seasons developing as a defensive lineman. He wore number 95, the same jersey number he has carried through much of his professional career.
Path to the NFL
Robertson-Harris played college football for the UTEP Miners from 2011 through 2015, working primarily as a defensive end. He used his time in Conference USA to add bulk to his already tall frame and to refine his technique against the run and as a pass rusher. By the time he finished his college career, he had shown enough raw tools to earn a look from NFL teams, even if he was not viewed as a top-tier prospect.
When the 2016 NFL Draft concluded without his name being called, Robertson-Harris did not have to wait long for an opportunity. The Chicago Bears signed him on May 9, 2016, beginning his professional career as an undrafted free agent.
Roy Robertson-Harris Career
Early Career with the Chicago Bears (2016–2020)
Robertson-Harris began his NFL journey in Chicago, but his rookie season was cut short when he was placed on the reserve/non-football illness list on August 30, 2016. He returned healthy in 2017, appearing in 13 games and posting 13 tackles, two sacks, and a pass deflection. The following year he played in every game, recording 20 tackles, three sacks, and three tackles for loss.
In 2019, Robertson-Harris opened the season by sacking Green Bay Packers quarterback Aaron Rodgers in a Week 1 loss, and later added 1.5 sacks against Kirk Cousins in a Week 4 win over the Minnesota Vikings. The Bears placed a second-round restricted free agent tender on him in March 2020, but his season was cut short in November when he underwent season-ending shoulder surgery and was placed on injured reserve.
Jacksonville Jaguars Era (2021–2024)
On March 17, 2021, Robertson-Harris signed a three-year, $23.4 million contract with the Jacksonville Jaguars, marking the biggest opportunity of his career. He became a regular contributor along the defensive line and started to log the kind of heavy snap counts he had been working toward. In a notable outing on October 2, 2022, he recorded nine total tackles and a tackle for loss in a narrow loss to the Philadelphia Eagles.
On February 25, 2023, the Jaguars rewarded his production with a three-year, $30 million extension that was set to keep him in Jacksonville through the 2026 season. The deal reflected his growth into a trusted veteran presence on the defensive front.
Seattle Seahawks and New York Giants (2024–Present)
On October 14, 2024, Robertson-Harris was traded from Jacksonville to the Seattle Seahawks in exchange for a 2026 sixth-round pick. His time in Seattle was brief, as the Seahawks released him on March 4, 2025. Just six days later, on March 10, 2025, he signed a two-year, $10 million contract with the New York Giants, where he currently wears number 95 and remains an active member of the defensive line.
Notable Events and Milestones
Robertson-Harris reached the 200-tackle plateau for his career and has recorded double-digit pass deflections from the defensive end position, a number that highlights his ability to bat down passes at the line of scrimmage. He has also produced 19 career sacks, with his 2018 and 2019 seasons with the Bears establishing him as a legitimate pass-rushing threat.
Roy Robertson-Harris Career Statistics
As of the 2025 NFL season, Roy Robertson-Harris has appeared in games for four franchises, accumulating 246 total tackles, 19 sacks, one fumble recovery, and 15 pass deflections. His ability to stay on the field and contribute across multiple schemes has defined his value as a veteran defensive end.
Defensive Production
Robertson-Harris has built his reputation on consistency rather than flash, logging tackles for loss in several seasons and pressuring quarterbacks from both a three-technique and a wide alignment. His career-best statistical seasons in tackles and sacks came during his later years with the Bears and during his Jacksonville tenure.
Roy Robertson-Harris Family
Personal Life
Roy Robertson-Harris maintains an active presence on social media under the Instagram handle @bigxander95. Details about his immediate family, marital status, and children are not publicly confirmed in available records, and respected sources have not published verified information in those areas.
2025 Season Performance
Roy Robertson-Harris joined the New York Giants on a two-year, $10 million contract in March 2025, returning to the NFC after brief stints in the AFC West and NFC West. He is expected to serve as a veteran presence on the Giants’ defensive line, helping mentor younger edge players while contributing in both base and passing-down packages.
Coming off a 2024 campaign in which he was traded midseason to Seattle before being released the following March, Robertson-Harris is focused on stabilizing his career in New York. His combination of size, length, and experience gives the Giants a proven rotational option at defensive end.
With his contract running through the 2026 season, Robertson-Harris has the opportunity to cement himself as a long-term piece of the Giants’ defensive front. His performance in 2025 will likely determine how prominently he is featured in the team’s long-term plans beyond his current deal.