Tedarrell Slaton Bio
Tedarrell Anthony Slaton Jr., known as TJ Slaton, is an American professional football defensive tackle for the Cincinnati Bengals of the National Football League (NFL). Born on October 3, 1997, in Fort Lauderdale, Florida, he developed into a sizable interior lineman through high school and college, eventually entering the league as a fifth-round pick. Across his professional career, he has been valued for his run-stopping ability and his role in defensive line rotations.
Standing 6 feet 5 inches tall and listed at roughly 340 pounds, Slaton combines rare size with the agility needed to hold the point of attack. He played college football for the Florida Gators before beginning his NFL career with the Green Bay Packers. In 2025, he signed with the Cincinnati Bengals, where he continues to handle responsibilities along the interior of the defensive line.
Early Life and Background
Tedarrell Anthony Slaton Jr. was born on October 3, 1997, in Fort Lauderdale, Florida, and grew up in the surrounding South Florida region. He attended American Heritage School in nearby Plantation, a program recognized for producing NFL-caliber talent. At American Heritage, he lined up along the defensive front and steadily developed into one of the top defensive line prospects in the state.
One of his high school coaches was former NFL cornerback Patrick Surtain, who helped guide his early development. Slaton’s teammates at American Heritage included Surtain’s son, Patrick Surtain II, and Tyson Campbell, both of whom went on to NFL careers. That competitive environment helped him sharpen his technique and prepared him for the next level of the sport.
Path to American Football
Coming out of American Heritage School, Slaton drew attention from college programs for his combination of size and movement skills. He committed to the University of Florida, joining a Southeastern Conference program with a long history of producing NFL defensive linemen. The step from high school to college football required him to refine his conditioning and technique against older, stronger competition.
He spent four seasons with the Florida Gators, working his way from a developmental role into a starting position. Over that span, he appeared in 45 games and earned 14 starts, providing valuable snaps at defensive tackle. By the time he declared for the NFL draft, he had gained the experience and exposure needed to be considered a professional prospect.
Tedarrell Slaton Career
Early Career (2021–2022)
Slaton was selected in the fifth round with the 173rd overall pick of the 2021 NFL draft by the Green Bay Packers. He signed his four-year rookie contract on May 14, 2021, and opened his first training camp listed as the second defensive tackle on the depth chart behind veteran Kenny Clark. The arrangement gave him an opportunity to learn from an established Pro Bowl player while contributing on rotational snaps.
He made his NFL debut on September 12, 2021, against the New Orleans Saints, recording two solo tackles in a 38–3 loss. Later that season, he notched a half sack against the San Francisco 49ers in Week 3 and another half sack in a victory over the Cincinnati Bengals. In a Week 7 matchup against the Washington Football Team, he blocked a 42-yard field goal attempt by Chris Blewitt, providing an early signature moment in his career.
Green Bay Packers Era (2021–2024)
Across his first two seasons in Green Bay, Slaton developed into a reliable rotational piece along the Packers’ defensive front. He saw expanded opportunities late in his rookie year, including extensive action in a Week 9 game against the Kansas City Chiefs, when he stepped in for an injured Kenny Clark and produced three stops that were classified as failures for the opposing offense. The performance signaled his readiness to handle a larger workload.
Through his Green Bay tenure, Slaton continued to grow into a run-stopping presence in the middle of the defensive line. His combination of leverage, length, and power made him a dependable option on early downs. The experience he gained rotating behind Clark helped shape his approach at the line of scrimmage.
Cincinnati Bengals Era (2025–Present)
On March 13, 2025, Slaton signed a two-year contract with the Cincinnati Bengals, beginning a new chapter of his career. The move placed him on a defensive line looking to fortify its run defense. His familiarity with a 4-3 base scheme made the transition a natural fit.
Through the early part of the 2025 season, Slaton continued to provide interior depth and steady play against the run. He remained an active member of the Bengals’ defensive tackle rotation. His presence added a proven veteran presence to the defensive front.
Driving Style and Strengths
Slaton is best known for his run-stopping ability, using his size to anchor against double teams and clog rushing lanes. He shows solid hand usage and the awareness to locate the football quickly, and he is dependable in short-yardage and goal-line situations. His game is built more on power and positioning than on flashy pass-rush production, making him a steady contributor on early downs.
Notable Events and Milestones
Among the early highlights of Slaton’s career was his blocked 42-yard field goal against the Washington Football Team in 2021 and his expanded role against the Kansas City Chiefs later that same season. Reaching the NFL through the 2021 draft and earning a multi-year contract with the Bengals in 2025 marked the two biggest milestones of his professional journey to this point.
Tedarrell Slaton Career Wins
As an interior defensive lineman, Tedarrell Slaton’s statistical résumé is measured less in wins and more in game-to-game production along the line of scrimmage. Through the 2025 season, his career totals include 186 total tackles, 5 sacks, and 4 pass deflections. Those numbers reflect a player who contributes through consistency and disruption rather than headline-making statistical spikes.
NFL Highlights
Slaton’s first career sacks came in 2021, when he recorded half sacks against the San Francisco 49ers and the Cincinnati Bengals. His first significant statistical performance was the 2021 game against the Kansas City Chiefs, in which he posted three stops in relief of an injured teammate. He signed his second NFL contract with the Cincinnati Bengals in March 2025, an important career marker.
Tedarrell Slaton Family
Family Background and Racing Lineage
Tedarrell Anthony Slaton Jr. carries the suffix Jr. in his name, suggesting a family naming tradition that mirrors his father’s full name. He grew up in the Fort Lauderdale, Florida area, where he developed his early love for football. His South Florida roots and competitive family environment helped shape his path toward the sport.
Personal Life
Slaton is known professionally by the nickname TJ, a shortened form of his given name. He came up through a high school program alongside several future NFL defensive backs, including Patrick Surtain II and Tyson Campbell. Beyond these connections, he keeps his personal life largely private.
2025 Season Performance
The 2025 season represents Slaton’s first year with the Cincinnati Bengals after signing a two-year contract in March 2025. Joining a defensive line focused on improving its run defense, he stepped into a rotational role along the interior. The early portion of the season saw him continue the steady, between-the-tackles production that defined his Green Bay tenure.
As the season progressed, Slaton remained a consistent presence on early downs, helping the Bengals set the edge against opposing ground games. His ability to absorb blocks and occupy space allowed linebackers behind him to flow freely to the ball. The familiarity of the scheme eased his transition into a new defensive meeting room.
With a contract that runs through 2027, Slaton’s outlook in Cincinnati is anchored on continued run-stopping reliability and veteran leadership along the defensive front. His combination of size, experience, and dependability positions him as a long-term piece of the Bengals’ defense for the foreseeable future.