Teair Tart Bio
Teair Tart (born February 28, 1997) is an American professional football nose tackle for the Los Angeles Chargers of the National Football League (NFL). Standing 6 feet 2 inches tall and listed at 315 pounds, Tart has built a career as a rotational interior defensive lineman since entering the league as an undrafted free agent in 2020.
Over the course of his NFL journey, Tart has suited up for the Tennessee Titans, the Houston Texans, the Miami Dolphins, and the Los Angeles Chargers. Known for his run-stopping ability, he has appeared in regular-season games for multiple franchises and developed into a dependable depth piece along the defensive line.
Early Life and Background
Teair Tart was born on February 28, 1997, in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. He grew up in the West Philadelphia area and attended West Philadelphia High School, where he began playing competitive football and developed the physical profile that would later define his role as an interior defensive lineman.
Coming of age in Philadelphia, Tart was surrounded by a strong football culture that emphasized toughness and discipline. Those values shaped his early work ethic and helped him pursue a college career despite a winding path through multiple programs.
Path to American Football
After high school, Tart began his collegiate journey at ASA College in New York City, where he recorded five sacks in six games. His time at ASA was cut short when his older brother was killed in a motorcycle accident, prompting him to leave the program. He briefly enrolled at Valley Forge Military Academy before transferring to East Mississippi Community College.
At East Mississippi, Tart was cut from the football team shortly before the season, causing a scholarship offer from Alabama to be withdrawn. He then moved on to Ellsworth Community College in Iowa, where a knee injury limited him to two games. Tart ultimately committed to Florida International University (FIU) for the final two seasons of his NCAA eligibility.
At FIU, Tart quickly became a productive defender. In his first season with the FIU Panthers, he posted 19 tackles, seven tackles for loss, four sacks, a forced fumble, and a pass breakup. The following year, he recorded 32 tackles, 12 tackles for loss, two sacks, and another forced fumble, cementing his status as an NFL prospect.
Teair Tart Career
Early Career (2020)
Teair Tart signed with the Tennessee Titans as an undrafted free agent on April 25, 2020. He was waived during final roster cuts on September 5, 2020, but was signed to the team’s practice squad the following day, keeping him within the organization.
Tart was elevated to the Titans’ active roster on November 7, 2020. During his rookie season, he was suspended one game for violations of unnecessary roughness and unsportsmanlike conduct rules after stepping on Cleveland Browns offensive lineman Wyatt Teller in Week 13. He was reinstated on December 15, 2020, and later placed on the reserve/COVID-19 list before being activated in mid-January 2021.
Tennessee Titans Breakthrough (2020–2023)
After his rookie year, Tart returned to the Titans and continued to develop as an interior defender. On March 9, 2022, the Titans re-signed Tart to a one-year deal, signaling confidence in his role within the defensive rotation.
Entering the 2023 offseason as a restricted free agent, the Titans placed a second-round tender on Tart on March 15, 2023. He remained with the team for most of the 2023 season before being released on December 16, 2023, ending his initial stint in Tennessee.
Houston Texans Era (2023)
On December 18, 2023, Teair Tart was claimed off waivers by the Houston Texans. His brief tenure in Houston gave him an opportunity to contribute down the stretch of the 2023 season as the Texans pushed for a playoff run.
Miami Dolphins Era (2024)
Tart signed with the Miami Dolphins on April 8, 2024, looking to carve out a role along their defensive front. His time in Miami was short, however, as he was released by the team on August 13, 2024, during the preseason roster trim.
Los Angeles Chargers Era (2024–Present)
On August 15, 2024, Teair Tart signed with the Los Angeles Chargers. In his first season with the Chargers, he appeared in all 17 games as a rotational defensive tackle without a start, providing veteran depth on the interior line.
Tart re-signed with the Chargers on March 18, 2025, signaling the organization’s belief in his continued contribution. According to career reporting, Tart signed a three-year, $37.5 million contract extension with the Chargers on January 26, 2026, following a 2025 season in which he started all 17 games.
Driving Style and Strengths
As a nose tackle, Teair Tart relies on leverage, strength, and anchor ability to control the line of scrimmage. His 315-pound frame and low center of gravity make him well suited to clog running lanes and absorb double teams, freeing linebackers to make plays behind him.
Notable Events and Milestones
One of Tart’s most talked-about moments came as a rookie in 2020, when he was suspended for stepping on Cleveland Browns guard Wyatt Teller. His later career milestone came when he signed a three-year, $37.5 million extension with the Los Angeles Chargers in January 2026 after starting all 17 games in 2025.
Teair Tart Career Wins
Teair Tart’s professional resume is defined more by consistency, durability, and longevity than by headline-grabbing championship trophies. Across his time with the Tennessee Titans, Houston Texans, Miami Dolphins, and Los Angeles Chargers, he has built a reputation as a reliable rotational defensive tackle.
NFL Regular Season Highlights
Tart has appeared in regular-season games for multiple NFL franchises, including full 17-game seasons with the Los Angeles Chargers in 2024 and 2025. Through the 2025 season, his career NFL statistics include 140 total tackles, 3.5 sacks, 2 forced fumbles, 3 fumble recoveries, 13 pass deflections, and 2 interceptions.
Other Wins & Performances
Beyond the NFL, Tart’s college career at FIU included two productive seasons that featured double-digit tackles for loss and multiple sacks, establishing him as a legitimate professional prospect.
Teair Tart Family
Family Background and Racing Lineage
Public information about Teair Tart’s immediate family remains limited. One deeply personal chapter of his life, however, became part of his story: his older brother was killed in a motorcycle accident, an event that prompted Tart to leave ASA College and reshape his collegiate path.
Personal Life
Teair Tart was born and raised in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, the city he continues to be associated with through his West Philadelphia roots. Details about his marital status, spouse, or children have not been publicly confirmed.
2025 Season Performance
Teair Tart’s 2025 season with the Los Angeles Chargers marked a turning point in his career. After serving as a rotational defensive tackle without a start in 2024, Tart earned the trust of the Chargers’ coaching staff and started all 17 games during the 2025 regular season.
His elevated role was accompanied by production along the interior defensive line, helping anchor Los Angeles’ run defense while contributing as a pass rusher. His reliability and durability made him a fixture in the defensive game plan week after week.
Following the strong 2025 campaign, the Chargers rewarded Tart with a three-year, $37.5 million contract extension on January 26, 2026, underscoring his value as a long-term building block along their defensive front. Looking ahead, Tart is expected to remain a central figure in the Chargers’ defensive rotation.
