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Tyler Matakevich

{{Short description|American football player (born 1992)}}

{{Use mdy dates|date=January 2019}}

{{Infobox NFL biography

| name = Tyler Matakevich

| image = TylerMatakevich.jpg

| image_size =

| alt =

| caption = Matakevich in 2021

| current_team =

| number =

| position = Linebacker

| birth_date = {{birth date and age|1992|12|22}}

| birth_place = Stratford, Connecticut, U.S.

| death_date =

| death_place =

| height_ft = 6

| height_in = 1

| weight_lbs = 235

| high_school = St. Joseph {{avoid wrap|(Trumbull, Connecticut)}}

| college = Temple (2012–2015)

| draftyear = 2016

| draftround = 7

| draftpick = 246

| pastteams =

| status =

| highlights =

| statweek =

| statseason = 2024

| statlabel1 = Total tackles

| statvalue1 = 136

| statlabel2 = Sacks

| statvalue2 =

| statlabel3 = Forced fumbles

| statvalue3 =

| statlabel4 = Fumble recoveries

| statvalue4 =

| statlabel5 = Pass deflections

| statvalue5 = 4

| statlabel6 = Interceptions

| statvalue6 = 1

| pfr = M/MataTy00

}}

Tyler John Matakevich (born December 22, 1992) is an American professional football linebacker. He played college football for the Temple Owls. He was selected by the Pittsburgh Steelers in the seventh round of the 2016 NFL draft. He has also been a member of the Buffalo Bills.

Early life

Matakevich attended St. Joseph High School in Trumbull, Connecticut. He played linebacker and running back on the football team and also played baseball. He finished his high school career with 2,357 yards rushing, 1,355 yards receiving, 3,898 all-purpose yards on offense, and 371 tackles, 4.5 sacks, three forced fumbles, six fumble recoveries, and eight interceptions on defense. Over the course of his career, he scored 59 total touchdowns. During a pre-season scrimmage his senior year he broke his foot and wound up missing five games, therefore after high school graduation he attended Milford Academy.{{cite web |url=http://blog.ctnews.com/hssports/2011/02/05/matakevich-to-milford-academy/ |title=Matakevich says he'll prep at Milford Academy |work=Connecticut High School Football}} After one year at Milford Academy, Matakevich committed to Temple University to play college football.{{cite web | last=Birge | first=Bob | title=Trumbull's Tyler Matakevich Commits To Temple | website=Trumbull, CT Patch | date=2012-01-07 | url=https://patch.com/connecticut/trumbull/tyler-matakevich-commits-to-temple | access-date=2025-01-02}}

College career

As a freshman at Temple in 2012, Matakevich played in all 13 games, making his first start in Week 5 against USF. He became the first freshman in school history to record 100 tackles, finishing with 101.{{cite web|url=http://www.csnphilly.com/ncaa/temple-lb-matakevich-named-freshman-all-america|title=Temple LB Matakevich named freshman All-America|work=Comcast SportsNet Philadelphia|date=January 8, 2013 }} As a sophomore, he had 137 tackles, one sack and one interception.{{cite web|url=http://articles.philly.com/2014-07-31/sports/52243448_1_bowl-game-matt-rhule-tyler-matakevich|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150919020828/http://articles.philly.com/2014-07-31/sports/52243448_1_bowl-game-matt-rhule-tyler-matakevich|url-status=dead|archive-date=September 19, 2015|title=Temple's Matakevich wants wins to go with individual honors|work=philly-archives}} As a junior, he had 117 tackles, 1.5 sacks and one interception.{{cite web|url=http://www.courant.com/sports/college/hc-tyler-matakevich-temple-0809-20150808-story.html|title=Temple's Tyler Matakevich Tackles All That Comes His Way|author=Hartford Courant|date=August 8, 2015|work=courant.com}}{{cite web|url=http://articles.philly.com/2015-04-24/sports/61462537_1_edberg-olson-hall-chodoff-field-temple-football-program|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150921053057/http://articles.philly.com/2015-04-24/sports/61462537_1_edberg-olson-hall-chodoff-field-temple-football-program|url-status=dead|archive-date=September 21, 2015|title=Senior LB Tyler Matakevich expects big things for Temple football|work=philly-archives}} During his senior year, he became the seventh player in FBS history to record 100 tackles all four years.{{cite web|url=http://articles.philly.com/2015-10-28/sports/67825237_1_tyler-matakevich-temple-football-program-temple-history|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151125105019/http://articles.philly.com/2015-10-28/sports/67825237_1_tyler-matakevich-temple-football-program-temple-history|url-status=dead|archive-date=November 25, 2015|title=Temple's Matakevich had one shot, and he made the most of it|work=philly-archives}}{{cite web|url=http://www.csnphilly.com/ncaa/temple-football-tyler-matakevich-owls-beat-memphis-tigers-keep-control-destiny-american-athletic-conference|title=Temple beats Memphis to keep control of own destiny in AAC|work=Comcast SportsNet Philadelphia}} Leading Temple to the inaugural American Athletic Conference (AAC) Championship during his final year of eligibility, Matakevich received national honors including the AAC Defensive Player of the Year, the Bronko Nagurski Trophy and the Chuck Bednarik Award.[https://web.archive.org/web/20151227075454/http://articles.philly.com/2015-12-12/sports/68962939_1_defensive-player-chuck-bednarik-award-maxwell-club Temple's Matakevich wins Bednarik Award][https://www.espn.com/college-football/story/_/id/14316950/lb-tyler-matakevich-temple-owls-wins-bronko-nagurski-award Temple LB Tyler Matakevich wins Bronko Nagurski Award] All three were firsts for Temple football. He also became Temple's third consensus All-American.[http://www.owlsports.com/news/2015/12/17/FB_1217153005.aspx Matakevich A Consensus All-American] During the 2015 Boca Raton Bowl, he broke the school's record for career tackles, finishing with 493.{{cite web | last=Narducci | first=Marc | title=Temple's Tyler Matakevich finds positives after bowl loss | website=Inquirer.com | date=2015-12-24 | url=https://www.inquirer.com/philly/sports/colleges/temple/20151223_Temples_Tyler_Matakevich_finds_positives_after_bowl_loss.html | access-date=2025-05-15}} For the season he had 138 tackles, 4.5 sacks and five interceptions.

Professional career

{{NFL predraft

| height ft = 6

| height in = 0

| weight = 238

| dash = 4.81

| ten split= 1.66

| twenty split = 2.80

| shuttle = 4.34

| cone drill = 7.19

| vertical = 31

| broad ft = 9

| broad in = 4

| bench = 22

| arm span = 31 1/4

| hand span = 9 1/2

| note = All values from NFL Combine/Pro Day{{Cite web |title=Tyler Matakevich Draft and Combine Prospect Profile |url=https://www.nfl.com/prospects/tyler-matakevich/32004d41-5402-6118-1efb-84b5154b1610 |access-date=February 1, 2024 |website=NFL.com}}{{Cite web |title=2016 NFL Draft Scout Tyler Matakevich College Football Profile |url=https://draftscout.com/dsprofile.php?PlayerId=124196&DraftYear=2016 |access-date=February 1, 2024 |website=DraftScout.com}}

}}

=Pittsburgh Steelers (first stint)=

==2016==

The Pittsburgh Steelers selected Matakevich in the seventh round (246th overall) of the 2016 NFL draft.{{Cite web |url=https://www.pro-football-reference.com/years/2016/draft.htm |title=2016 NFL Draft Listing |website=Pro-Football-Reference.com |language=en |access-date=2019-02-25}}{{cite web|title=Steelers select Matakevich in the seventh round|url=http://www.steelers.com/news/article-1/Steelers-select-Matakevich-in-the-seventh-round/e7006dfc-06b9-417d-90f2-49f8b245841c|website=Steelers.com|date=April 30, 2016|access-date=July 2, 2017}} He said, at the time of receiving the call from head coach Mike Tomlin, he was in the process of speaking to other teams about being signed as a priority undrafted free-agent. The Steelers said they selected him because he was their highest rated player on their big board at the time.

On May 5, 2016, the Steelers signed Matakevich to a four-year, $2.40 million rookie contract that includes a signing bonus of $63,502.{{cite web |url=http://overthecap.com/player/tyler-matakevich/4959/ |title=Overthecap.com: Tyler Matakevich contract |access-date=December 14, 2016 |website=overthecap.com}}

Throughout training camp, he competed for a roster spot against veteran Steven Johnson, L. J. Fort, and Travis Feeney. He impressed coaches and showed consistent play in the preseason.{{cite web| title=Tyler Matakevich has a lot to prove in the final preseason game|

url=https://www.steelerswire.usatoday.com/2016/08/31/tyler-matakevich-has-a-lot-to-prove-in-the-final-preseason-game/amp/| access-date=January 19, 2018| website=steelerswire.usatoday.com|

author=Parker Hurley| date=August 31, 2016}}{{cite web |url=http://www.ourlads.com/nfldepthcharts/archive/187/PIT |title=Ourlads.com: Pittsburgh Steeler's Depth Chart |access-date=January 5, 2017 |website=ourlads.com}} Head coach Mike Tomlin named him the backup inside linebacker to Ryan Shazier to start the regular season.

He made his professional regular season debut in the Steelers' season-opening 38–16 victory over the Washington Redskins. The next game, he made his first career tackle in a 24–16 win over the Cincinnati Bengals. On November 6, 2016, he recorded a season-high nine combined tackles in a 30–15 loss to the Miami Dolphins. In the Week 16 match-up against the Baltimore Ravens, he recorded two solo tackles in a 32–27 victory. He finished his rookie season with 20 combined tackles in 16 games.{{cite web |url=http://www.nfl.com/player/tylermatakevich/2555171/profile |title=NFL Player Profile: Tyler Matakevich |access-date=January 5, 2017 |website=NFL.com}} The Pittsburgh Steelers finished the {{NFL Year|2016}} season first in the AFC North with an 11–5 record and received a playoff berth. On January 8, 2017, Matakevich played in his first career playoff game as the Steelers defeated the Dolphins 30–12 in the AFC Wildcard game.

==2017==

He returned to training camp in 2017 and competed to a roster spot against Steven Johnson, L. J. Fort, Travis Feeney, Kevin Anderson, Matt Galambos, and Keith Kelsey.{{cite web| title=Pittsburgh Steelers' Depth-Chart Predictions Ahead of Training Camp| url=https://www.bleacherreport.com/amp/2720816-pittsburgh-steelers-depth-chart-predictions-ahead-of-training-camp.amp.html| access-date=January 19, 2018| website=bleacherreport.com| author=Andrea Hangst| date=July 11, 2017}} He was named backup inside linebacker to Ryan Shazier and Vince Williams to start the season.{{cite web| title=Steelers Week 1 Depth Chart: Watt Listed As Starter, JuJu Top Kickoff Returner| url=http://www.steelersdepot.com/2017/09/steelers-week-1-depth-chart-watt-listed-starter-juju-top-kickoff-returner/| access-date=January 19, 2018| website=steelersdepot.com| author=Dave Bryan| date=September 5, 2017}}

File:Tyler Matakevich (51529189176) (cropped).jpg

On September 10, 2017, Matakevich blocked a punt by Browns' punter Britton Colquitt during the Steelers' season-opening 21–18 victory over the Cleveland Browns. Teammate Anthony Chickillo recovered the ball in the end zone for a touchdown and made the first score of the Steelers' season.{{cite web|url=https://www.pro-football-reference.com/boxscores/201709100cle.htm|title=Pittsburgh Steelers at Cleveland Browns - September 10th, 2017|work=Pro-Football-Reference.com|access-date=September 14, 2017}} On October 15, 2017, Matakevich recorded four combined tackles in the Steelers' 19–13 victory at the Kansas City Chiefs. On December 4, 2017, he collected a season-high six combined tackles in a 23–20 victory at the Bengals. Matakevich finished the season with 23 combined tackles (18 solo) and a pass deflection in 15 games and zero starts.{{Cite web |title=Tyler Matakevich 2017 Game Log |url=https://www.pro-football-reference.com/players/M/MataTy00/gamelog/2017/ |access-date=2025-01-02 |website=Pro-Football-Reference.com |language=en}}

=Buffalo Bills=

On March 30, 2020, Matakevich signed a two-year contract with the Buffalo Bills.{{cite web|title=Bills add linebacker Tyler Matakevich|url=https://profootballtalk.nbcsports.com/2020/03/17/bills-add-linebacker-tyler-matakevich/|author=Gantt, Darin|work=Pro Football Talk|publisher=NBC Sports|date=March 17, 2020}}

On March 16, 2021, Matakevich signed a one-year extension through the 2022 season.{{cite news |author=Glab, Maddy |title=Tyler Matakevich agrees to terms on a one-year extension with Bills |url=https://www.buffalobills.com/news/tyler-matakevich-agrees-to-terms-on-a-one-year-extension-with-bills |website=BuffaloBills.com |date=March 16, 2021 |access-date=June 24, 2021}}

On March 13, 2023, Matakevich signed a one-year extension through the 2023 season.{{cite web |last=White |first=Alec |date=March 13, 2023 |title=Bills agree to terms with P Sam Martin and LB Tyler Matakevich |url=https://www.buffalobills.com/news/bills-agree-to-terms-with-p-sam-martin-and-lb-tyler-matakevich |access-date=2023-05-15 |website=BuffaloBills.com}}

In four years with Buffalo, Matakevich played almost solely on special teams and was a captain for three seasons.

=Pittsburgh Steelers (second stint)=

On July 17, 2024, Matakevich signed a one-year contract to return to the Steelers.{{cite web | last=Varley | first=Teresa | title=Matakevich signed to one-year contract | website=Steelers.com | date=2024-07-17 | url=https://www.steelers.com/news/matakevich-signed-to-one-year-contract | access-date=2024-10-07}}

NFL career statistics

class="wikitable"
colspan="2"| Legend
style="width:3em;"| Bold

| Career high

=Regular season=

class="wikitable" style="text-align: center;"
rowspan="2"| Year

! rowspan="2"| Team

! colspan="2"| Games

! colspan="7"| Tackles

! colspan="6"| Interceptions

{{abbr|GP|Games played}}{{abbr|GS|Games started}}{{abbr|Cmb|Total tackles}}{{abbr|Solo|Solo tackles}}{{abbr|Ast|Assists on tackles}}{{abbr|TFL|Tackles for loss}}{{abbr|QBH|Quarterback hits}}{{abbr|Sck|Sacks}}{{abbr|Sfty|Safety touchdowns}}{{abbr|PD|Passes defended}}{{abbr|Int|Defensive interceptions}}{{abbr|Yds|Defensive interceptions yardage return}}{{abbr|Y/I|Yards per defensive interception}}{{abbr|Lng|Longest defensive interception return}}{{abbr|TD|Defensive interceptions returned for touchdown}}
2016PIT

| 16 || 0 || 20 || 16 || 4 || 0 || 0 || 0.0 || 0 || 0 || 0 || 0 || — || 0 || 0

2017PIT

| 15 || 0 || 23 || 18 || 5 || 0 || 0 || 0.0 || 0 || 1 || 0 || 0 || — || 0 || 0

2018PIT

| 16 || 1 || 16 || 12 || 4 || 0 || 0 || 0.0 || 0 || 0 || 0 || 0 || — || 0 || 0

2019PIT

| 16 || 0 || 18 || 16 || 2 || 0 || 0 || 0.0 || 0 || 0 || 0 || 0 || — || 0 || 0

2020BUF

| 16 || 0 || 23 || 12 || 11 || 0 || 0 || 0.0 || 0 || 2 || 0 || 0 || — || 0 || 0

2021BUF

| 17 || 0 || 19 || 12 || 7 || 0 || 0 || 0.0 || 0 || 1 || 1 || 15 || 15.0 || 15 || 0

2022BUF

| 16 || 0 || 6 || 5 || 1 || 0 || 0 || 0.0 || 0 || 0 || 0 || 0 || — || 0 || 0

2023BUF

| 17 || 0 || 7 || 4 || 3 || 0 || 0 || 0.0 || 0 || 0 || 0 || 0 || — || 0 || 0

2024PIT

| 11 || 0 || 4 || 4 || 0 || 0 || 0 || 0.0 || 0 || 0 || 0 || 0 || — || 0 || 0

colspan="2"| [https://www.pro-football-reference.com/players/M/MataTy00.htm Career]14011369937000.00411515.0150

=Postseason=

class="wikitable" style="text-align: center;"
rowspan="2"| Year

! rowspan="2"| Team

! colspan="2"| Games

! colspan="7"| Tackles

{{abbr|GP|Games played}}{{abbr|GS|Games started}}{{abbr|Cmb|Total tackles}}{{abbr|Solo|Solo tackles}}{{abbr|Ast|Assists on tackles}}{{abbr|TFL|Tackles for loss}}{{abbr|QBH|Quarterback hits}}{{abbr|Sck|Sacks}}{{abbr|Sfty|Safety touchdowns}}
2016PIT

| 3 || 0 || 1 || 1 || 0 || 0 || 0 || 0.0 || 0

2017PIT

| 1 || 0 || 0 || 0 || 0 || 0 || 0 || 0.0 || 0

2020BUF

| 3 || 0 || 0 || 0 || 0 || 0 || 0 || 0.0 || 0

2021BUF

| 2 || 0 || 3 || 2 || 1 || 0 || 0 || 0.0 || 0

2022BUF

| 2 || 0 || 2 || 2 || 0 || 0 || 0 || 0.0 || 0

2023BUF

| 2 || 0 || 1 || 1 || 0 || 0 || 0 || 0.0 || 0

2024PIT

| 1 || 0 || 0 || 0 || 0 || 0 || 0 || 0.0 || 0

colspan="2"| [https://www.pro-football-reference.com/players/M/MataTy00.htm Career]140761000.00

References

{{Reflist|30em}}

External links

{{commons}}

  • {{sports links}}
  • [https://www.steelers.com/team/players-roster/tyler-matakevich/ Pittsburgh Steelers bio]
  • [http://owlsports.com/roster.aspx?rp_id=7799&path=football Temple Owls bio]
  • [https://sports.yahoo.com/ncaaf/players/213626/ Stats] at Yahoo.com

{{2015 NCAA Division I FBS College Football Consensus All-Americans}}

{{Chuck Bednarik Award}}

{{Bronko Nagurski Trophy}}

{{Steelers2016DraftPicks}}

{{Pittsburgh Steelers roster navbox}}

{{DEFAULTSORT:Matakevich, Tyler}}

Category:1992 births

Category:Living people

Category:All-American college football players

Category:American football linebackers

Category:Buffalo Bills players

Category:Milford Academy alumni

Category:People from Stratford, Connecticut

Category:Pittsburgh Steelers players

Category:Players of American football from Fairfield County, Connecticut

Category:Temple Owls football players