Tyler Matakevich Bio
Tyler John Matakevich (born December 22, 1992) is an American professional football linebacker. He played college football for the Temple Owls before being selected by the Pittsburgh Steelers in the seventh round of the 2016 NFL draft. Matakevich has also spent time with the Buffalo Bills and is widely recognized as one of the most decorated defenders in Temple football history.
Listed at 6 ft 1 in (1.85 m) and 235 lb (107 kg), Matakevich built his reputation on instincts, tackling consistency, and special teams reliability. Across his college and professional career, he has been praised by coaches and teammates for his preparation and team-first approach to the game.
Early Life and Background
Tyler John Matakevich was born on December 22, 1992, in Stratford, Connecticut, United States. He grew up in the greater Bridgeport area and attended St. Joseph High School in Trumbull, Connecticut, where he developed into a versatile two-way player on the football field.
At St. Joseph, Matakevich played linebacker and running back while also competing in baseball. He finished his high school career with 2,357 rushing yards, 1,355 receiving yards, 3,898 all-purpose yards on offense, and 371 tackles, 4.5 sacks, three forced fumbles, six fumble recoveries, and eight interceptions on defense. He scored 59 total touchdowns during his time with the Cadets, demonstrating the productivity that would later define his college career.
During a preseason scrimmage in his senior year, Matakevich broke his foot and missed five games. Following high school graduation, he attended Milford Academy for a year of preparation. After one post-graduate year, he committed to Temple University to continue his football career at the collegiate level.
Path to American Football
Matakevich arrived at Temple University in 2012 and quickly established himself as a defensive force. As a freshman, he played in all 13 games, made his first start in Week 5 against USF, and became the first freshman in school history to record 100 tackles, finishing the season with 101. He was named a Freshman All-American, Big East Rookie of the Year, and Second-team All-Big East, an extraordinary haul for a first-year player.
As a sophomore, he recorded 137 tackles, one sack, and one interception. His junior year brought 117 tackles, 1.5 sacks, and one interception. By his senior season, Matakevich had become the seventh player in FBS history to record 100 tackles in all four collegiate seasons, cementing his status as one of the most productive linebackers in the country.
During his senior year, he led Temple to the inaugural American Athletic Conference (AAC) Championship and was named AAC Defensive Player of the Year, First Team All-AAC, and a Consensus All-American. He also became the first Temple player to win both the Bronko Nagurski Trophy and the Chuck Bednarik Award, and only the program’s third consensus All-American. In the 2015 Boca Raton Bowl, he broke the school’s career tackles record, finishing with 493 stops.
Tyler Matakevich Career
Early Career (2016–2017)
The Pittsburgh Steelers selected Matakevich in the seventh round, 246th overall, of the 2016 NFL draft. On May 5, 2016, the Steelers signed him to a four-year, $2.40 million rookie contract that included a signing bonus of $63,502. He competed for a roster spot during training camp against veterans Steven Johnson, L. J. Fort, and Travis Feeney, and was named the backup inside linebacker to Ryan Shazier to open the regular season.
Matakevich made his professional debut in the Steelers’ 38–16 season-opening victory over the Washington Redskins. He recorded his first career tackle the following week in a win over the Cincinnati Bengals and posted a season-high nine combined tackles on November 6, 2016, against the Miami Dolphins. He finished his rookie campaign with 20 combined tackles in 16 games and appeared in the AFC Wildcard playoff victory over the Miami Dolphins. In 2017, he opened the season with a blocked punt against the Cleveland Browns that resulted in a Steelers touchdown, and he finished the year with 23 combined tackles and a pass deflection.
Buffalo Bills Era (2020–2023)
On March 30, 2020, Matakevich signed a two-year contract with the Buffalo Bills. He later signed a one-year extension on March 16, 2021, through the 2022 season, and another one-year extension on March 13, 2023, to remain with the team through 2023. Across four seasons in Buffalo, he played almost exclusively on special teams and was named a team captain for three seasons, reflecting the leadership role he earned with the organization.
Pittsburgh Steelers Era (2024–Present)
On July 17, 2024, Matakevich signed a one-year contract to return to the Pittsburgh Steelers, the franchise that originally drafted him. His return was built on his prior special teams value and his familiarity with the defensive scheme in Pittsburgh.
Driving Style and Strengths
Matakevich has built his career on tackling efficiency, field awareness, and dependable special teams play. Coaches have consistently highlighted his preparation, his ability to read offenses quickly, and his willingness to embrace roles that do not always produce headline statistics. His captaincy in Buffalo underscored the respect he commands inside the locker room.
Notable Events and Milestones
Among his signature moments, Matakevich’s blocked punt in the 2017 season opener against the Cleveland Browns produced the Steelers’ first points of the year. He also became the seventh player in FBS history to record 100 tackles in four straight college seasons and the first Temple player to win both the Bronko Nagurski Trophy and the Chuck Bednarik Award.
Tyler Matakevich Career Wins
While linebackers are not typically credited with traditional “wins,” Matakevich’s résumé is filled with championship-level accomplishments at both the collegiate and professional levels.
College Highlights
He led Temple to the inaugural American Athletic Conference Championship in 2015, was named AAC Defensive Player of the Year, First Team All-AAC, and a Consensus All-American, and won the Bronko Nagurski Trophy and the Chuck Bednarik Award. He set Temple’s all-time career tackles record with 493 stops, and his freshman 101-tackle season made him the first freshman in school history to reach the 100-tackle mark.
Other Performances
As a professional, Matakevich has been a contributor on playoff teams, including the 2016 Pittsburgh Steelers squad that won the AFC North with an 11–5 record, and multiple Buffalo Bills playoff rosters. Through the 2024 season, his career NFL totals include 136 combined tackles, 4 pass deflections, and 1 interception.
Tyler Matakevich Family
Family Background and Personal Life
Matakevich was raised in the Stratford and Trumbull area of Connecticut, where his athletic talent emerged at St. Joseph High School. He has been credited by teammates and coaches for a grounded, team-first mentality shaped by his family and community.
Personal Life
Publicly available details about his marriage, partner, or children are not part of the verified record on his career pages. He maintains an active presence on social media and is represented by his X account, where he has historically been tagged with the handle associated with his long-standing number 44.
2025 Season Performance
Entering 2025, Matakevich returned to the Pittsburgh Steelers on a deal that runs through 2025, providing the franchise with a trusted veteran presence in the linebacker room and on special teams units. The Steelers’ 2025 offseason program focused on reinforcing depth across the defensive core, and Matakevich’s familiarity with the system makes him a likely candidate for a rotational and special teams role.
As a long-time special teams captain in Buffalo, he offers value on coverage units, in punt and kick protection, and as a steady voice in the locker room. Should he remain healthy, he is positioned to continue contributing on multiple phases of the game rather than as a full-time defensive starter.
His outlook for 2025 centers on durability, mentorship of younger linebackers, and the pursuit of another deep playoff run with Pittsburgh. With more than a decade of football experience and a well-documented championship pedigree from his time at Temple, Matakevich remains a reliable professional whose role is measured in winning details as much as in raw statistics.