Jonathan Bullard: Bio, Age, Family, NFL Career, Net Worth & Life Story

Jonathan Bullard has carved out a remarkable NFL career defined by perseverance, versatility, and an unwavering dedication to family. From a five-star high school recruit in small-town North Carolina to a nine-year NFL veteran who has suited up for six different franchises, Bullard represents the modern defensive lineman—adaptable, resilient, and always ready for the next challenge. Now entering his tenth professional season with the New Orleans Saints, the 6-foot-3 defensive end continues to honor the memory of his late grandmother while providing veteran leadership and run-stopping prowess.

Quick Facts

Early Life & Education

Jonathan Bullard was born on October 22, 1993, in Shelby, North Carolina, a small city in Cleveland County known for producing football talent . Raised in a working-class family, Bullard’s childhood was shaped by strong maternal influences and the challenges of a single-parent household after his parents separated when he was young .

His mother, Monica Bullard, worked the night shift at a BMW factory in South Carolina—driving an hour each way to provide for her three sons . With Monica working evenings, Jonathan’s maternal grandmother, Joyce Robbs, became the family’s anchor. Joyce and her husband James operated Robbs & Sons Detail Shop, a car wash in Shelby, and attended virtually every game their grandsons played .

At Crest Senior High School in Shelby, Bullard emerged as one of the nation’s premier defensive line prospects. His senior season was spectacular—recording 82 tackles and 16 sacks while leading the Chargers to a 12-4 record and an NCHSAA Class 3AA runner-up finish . A five-star recruit and the nation’s top-ranked defensive end in the Class of 2012, Bullard drew interest from every major program in the country .

Bullard chose the University of Florida over Clemson and other suitors, a decision heavily influenced by his grandmother Joyce’s battle with cancer. He needed her blessing to leave home, and once she gave it—approving of Coach Will Muschamp and the Florida staff—he committed to the Gators .

College Career at Florida (2012–2015)

Bullard played four seasons for the Florida Gators, developing from a talented freshman into one of the SEC’s most dominant defensive linemen:

• 2012 (Freshman): Played all 13 games with 2 starts; 27 tackles, 1.5 sacks; named to Freshman All-SEC First Team
• 2013 (Sophomore): 11 games, 8 starts; 33 tackles, 1.5 sacks
• 2014 (Junior): Started all 12 games; 52 tackles, 2.5 sacks
• 2015 (Senior): Dominated with 66 tackles, 6.5 sacks (team lead), and 17.5 tackles for loss (most by a Gator since 1999); earned First-Team All-SEC and Third-Team All-American honors

Tragically, Joyce Robbs lost her battle with cancer on November 10, 2012, during Bullard’s freshman season. She was 65 years old . Jonathan returned home for the funeral but displayed remarkable mental toughness, recording three tackles and 1.5 sacks in the game following his return . He later had Joyce’s image tattooed on his chest to keep her memory close .

Career Journey

Chicago Bears (2016–2018): The Beginning

The Chicago Bears selected Bullard in the third round (72nd overall) of the 2016 NFL Draft . He signed his rookie contract on June 6, 2016, and made his NFL debut on September 11 against the Houston Texans .

Bullard recorded his first career sack on October 9, 2016, taking down Indianapolis Colts quarterback Andrew Luck . In 2017, he logged his first forced fumble against the New Orleans Saints, stripping running back Mark Ingram II .

Bears Tenure Stats:

• 2016: 14 games, 1 start; 18 tackles, 1 sack
• 2017: 16 games, 3 starts; 26 tackles, 1 sack, 1 forced fumble, 2 pass breakups
• 2018: 16 games, 1 start; 18 tackles

The Bears waived Bullard during final roster cuts on August 31, 2019 .

Arizona Cardinals (2019–2020): The First Stop

The Cardinals claimed Bullard off waivers on September 1, 2019 . He played 9 games with 6 starts, recording 22 tackles and 1.5 sacks before landing on injured reserve with a hamstring injury in December .

He re-signed with Arizona in April 2020 but was released during final cuts, spending time on the practice squad before moving on .

Seattle Seahawks (2020): Brief Tenure

Bullard joined the Seahawks’ active roster on October 7, 2020, after being signed from the Cardinals’ practice squad . He appeared in 6 games, recording 8 tackles before being placed on the reserve/COVID-19 list in January 2021 .

Atlanta Falcons (2021): Reunion with Durkin

On April 1, 2021, Bullard signed a one-year deal with the Atlanta Falcons, reuniting with defensive coordinator D.J. Durkin, his former position coach at Florida . He played 9 games with 4 starts, recording 21 tackles and 1 pass defensed .

Minnesota Vikings (2022–2024): Career Resurgence

Bullard’s career entered a new phase when he signed with the Minnesota Vikings on June 2, 2022 .

Vikings Breakthrough:

• 2022: 12 games, 7 starts; 23 tackles, 5 tackles for loss
• 2023: Career year—17 games, 14 starts (doubling his previous high); 44 tackles, 2 sacks, 1 forced fumble
• 2024: Started all 17 games for the first time in his career; 41 tackles, 1 sack, 3 pass breakups, 7 tackles for loss (career high)

During his Vikings tenure, Bullard established himself as a reliable run defender and rotational pass rusher, earning over $4.5 million across three seasons .

New Orleans Saints (2025–present): The Reunion

On July 23, 2025, Bullard signed a one-year contract with the New Orleans Saints, reuniting with defensive coordinator Brandon Staley, who coached him in Chicago during 2017–2018 . The deal is worth $1.42 million with a $167,500 signing bonus .

2025 Season Stats (as of March 2026):

• 15 games, 6 starts
• 26 tackles (12 solo, 14 assisted)
• 0 sacks, 2 pass deflections
• PFF overall grade: 58.9

Personal Life

Family & The Grandmother Who Shaped Him

Jonathan Bullard’s life has been profoundly influenced by the women who raised him. His mother Monica Bullard worked tirelessly on the night shift at BMW to support her three sons, while grandmother Joyce Robbs provided the daily care and emotional support that allowed Jonathan to pursue athletics .

Joyce attended every game she could, sitting in her favorite chair on the grassy bank overlooking Crest High’s stadium . Her death in 2012 devastated the family but motivated Jonathan to honor her through his play.

The Tattoo:
Bullard has Joyce’s image tattooed on his chest over his heart. “She meant the world to me. I have her tattooed on my chest, so she’s always with me,” he explained . He also keeps a photo of her headstone as his Twitter bio image .

Brothers in Sports

• Nelson Bullard: Older brother who played defensive line at Lenoir-Rhyne University (all-conference)
• Wesley Bullard: Younger brother who also attended Crest High School

The Bullard brothers all wore #90 at Crest—a tradition started by Nelson, continued by Jonathan, and passed to Wesley. Jonathan was inspired by his older brother’s admiration for Julius Peppers .

Relationship Status

As of 2026, Jonathan Bullard’s relationship status is not publicly disclosed. He maintains a relatively private personal life, focusing his public presence on football and family tributes.

Controversies

Bullard has maintained a clean off-field record throughout his NFL career, with no public controversies, arrests, or disciplinary issues. His reputation around the league is that of a hardworking, coachable professional who prioritizes team success over individual statistics.

Awards & Achievements

NFL Career:

• 116 games played (53 starts) across 6 franchises
• 247 career tackles, 6.5 sacks, 2 forced fumbles, 10 pass deflections
• 28 career tackles for loss

College Honors:

• First-Team All-SEC (2015)
• Third-Team All-American (2015)
• First-Team Freshman All-SEC (2012)
• SEC Defensive Lineman of the Week (multiple occasions)

High School Honors:

• 5-star recruit (Rivals.com)
• No. 1 ranked defensive end in Class of 2012
• Number retired by Crest High School (2021)

Physical Statistics

Quotes

“She meant the world to me. I have her tattooed on my chest, so she’s always with me.” (On his grandmother Joyce Robbs)

“Like Striker said, everybody loves you on game day. Everybody loves you after you win. … But behind closed doors, who are you, what are you?” (On authenticity and race in college football)

“It’s a lot of things they can do that I just can’t. But you learn the mental part, you see how they work, you see how good of players they are, but how hard they work. For the best players to also be the hardest workers on your team says a lot.” (On learning from Khalil Mack and Akiem Hicks)

“That number means a lot to our family. Growing up, my favorite player, if I’m being honest, my older brother’s favorite player was Julius Peppers, and then naturally I wanted to be like [my brother], so my favorite player became Julius Peppers.” (On wearing #90)

Favorites

• Favorite NFL Player Growing Up: Julius Peppers
• High School Number: #90 (worn by all three Bullard brothers)
• Hobbies: Motocross (rides a 125sx KTM) , family cookouts
• Charitable Causes: Crucial Catch (cancer awareness), cancer research
• Pre-Game Ritual: Honoring his grandmother’s memory

Earnings & Net Worth

Jonathan Bullard has earned $11.2 million in career NFL salary through the 2025 season .

Contract History:

• 2016 (Bears): 4 years, $3.41 million ($826,520 guaranteed)
• 2019 (Cardinals): 1 year, $1.05 million
• 2020 (Seahawks): 1 year, $910,000
• 2021 (Falcons): 1 year, $990,000
• 2022 (Vikings): 1 year, $1.04 million
• 2023 (Vikings): 1 year, $1.32 million
• 2024 (Vikings): 1 year, $2.25 million ($750,000 guaranteed)
• 2025 (Saints): 1 year, $1.42 million ($167,500 guaranteed)

Net Worth Estimate: $5–10 million (factoring in career earnings, endorsements, and investments)

Interesting Facts

• Grandmother’s Blessing: Bullard chose Florida over Clemson primarily because his dying grandmother approved of the Florida coaching staff .
• Tattoo Tribute: He has Joyce Robbs’ face tattooed on his chest and keeps a photo of her headstone as his Twitter profile picture .
• Family Legacy: All three Bullard brothers wore #90 at Crest High School, and the number has been retired by the school .
• Dream Visitations: Bullard has shared that he occasionally dreams of his grandmother, who appears silent but gives him a high-five and says “I’m back” .
• Crucial Catch Participant: Actively participates in the NFL’s cancer awareness initiative, wearing custom cleats honoring Joyce .
• Brandon Staley Reunion: Joined the Saints in 2025 specifically to reunite with defensive coordinator Brandon Staley, his former position coach in Chicago .
• Run Defense Specialist: While not a prolific pass rusher, Bullard’s 63.9 run defense grade in 2025 ranked 29th among all interior defensive linemen .

Did You Know?

• Bullard was the 72nd overall pick in the 2016 NFL Draft—the same year the Bears selected Leonard Floyd in the first round .
• He has played for six different NFL franchises but has never been arrested or faced league discipline.
• His 17.5 tackles for loss in 2015 at Florida were the most by a Gator since 1999 .
• Despite being a five-star recruit, he started only two games as a freshman at Florida, showing patience in his development .
• He signed with the Saints in 2025 for less money than he made in 2024, prioritizing scheme fit and coaching familiarity over salary .

Social Media Links

• Twitter/X: @JBullard90
• Instagram: Available through NFL team channels
• New Orleans Saints Profile: neworleanssaints.com

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: How old is Jonathan Bullard?
A: Jonathan Bullard was born on October 22, 1993, making him 32 years 5 months old years old as of 2026.

Q: What team does Jonathan Bullard play for in 2026?
A: Bullard signed with the New Orleans Saints in July 2025 and is currently playing for them as a defensive end.

Q: What happened to Jonathan Bullard’s grandmother?
A: His grandmother Joyce Robbs died of cancer on November 10, 2012, when Bullard was a freshman at Florida. He has her image tattooed on his chest in tribute.

Q: How many NFL teams has Jonathan Bullard played for?
A: Six teams: Chicago Bears (2016–2018), Arizona Cardinals (2019–2020), Seattle Seahawks (2020), Atlanta Falcons (2021), Minnesota Vikings (2022–2024), and New Orleans Saints (2025–present).

Q: What was Jonathan Bullard’s best NFL season?
A: 2024 with the Vikings was his most productive—he started all 17 games for the first time, recording 41 tackles, 1 sack, and a career-high 7 tackles for loss.

Q: What is Jonathan Bullard’s net worth?
A: His estimated net worth is between $5–10 million, with career earnings exceeding $11.2 million.

Q: Is Jonathan Bullard married?
A: As of 2026, Bullard’s relationship status is not publicly disclosed. He keeps his personal life private.

Conclusion

Jonathan Bullard’s NFL journey exemplifies the modern professional football player—adaptable, resilient, and constantly evolving. From a five-star recruit who chose his college based on his dying grandmother’s blessing, to a journeyman defensive lineman who finally found starting consistency in Minnesota, Bullard has proven that perseverance and professionalism matter as much as physical talent.

Now with the New Orleans Saints, he continues to honor Joyce Robbs’ memory while mentoring younger players and providing reliable run defense. His story reminds us that NFL careers are rarely linear, and that the measure of a player extends beyond statistics to character, work ethic, and the ability to honor those who paved the way.

Enjoyed this biography? Share this article with fellow football fans and Saints supporters!