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Nick Niemann

Linebacker · Iowa

An Iowa product who built a six-year NFL career almost entirely on special teams, leading the league in coverage tackles in 2025.

Nick Niemann spent four seasons with the Chargers as a core special-teamer before signing with Green Bay in August 2025. Known far more for his coverage-unit impact than his defensive snap count, Niemann has quietly become one of the league's most productive special teams tacklers.

★ PFWA All-Rookie team (special teams), 2021

★ Led NFL in special teams tackles, 2025

★ Sixth-round pick, 2021 NFL Draft (No. 185 overall)

Path to the league

Niemann played linebacker at Iowa, earning third-team All-Big Ten honors from the league's coaches in his final season. The Los Angeles Chargers drafted him in the sixth round, 185th overall, in the 2021 NFL Draft.

Career highlights

Niemann played four seasons for the Chargers from 2021 to 2024, appearing in 64 games but starting just three, with his 363 career defensive snaps dwarfed by his 1,298 special teams snaps. He led the Chargers in special teams tackles in both 2021 and 2024 and made the PFWA All-Rookie team as a special-teamer in his first season.

2025 season recap

Green Bay signed Niemann in late August 2025, and he immediately became the Packers' top special teams presence, leading the NFL with 10 special teams tackles. A pectoral injury suffered in Week 8 against the Steelers landed him on injured reserve on November 1, but he returned to activate ahead of Green Bay's Wild Card game against the Bears in January 2026.