{{Short description|American football player (born 1995)}} {{Use mdy dates|date=June 2024}} {{Infobox NFL biography | name = Matt Sokol | image = | image_size = | alt = | caption = | current_team = | number = | position = Tight end | birth_date = {{Birth date and age|1995|11|09}} | birth_place = Rochester, Michigan, U.S. | height_ft = 6 | height_in = 5 | weight_lb = 249 | high_school = Adams (MI) | college = Michigan State | undraftedyear = 2019 | pastteams = * Los Angeles Chargers ({{NFL Year|2019}})* * Jacksonville Jaguars ({{NFL Year|2019}})* * Detroit Lions ({{NFL Year|2020}})* * Los Angeles Chargers ({{NFL Year|2020}}) * Jacksonville Jaguars ({{NFL Year|2021}})* * Detroit Lions ({{NFL Year|2022}})* * New England Patriots ({{NFL Year|2022|2023}}) * Pittsburgh Steelers ({{NFL Year|2024}})* * Buffalo Bills ({{NFL Year|2025}})* * Pittsburgh Steelers ({{NFL Year|2025}})* | status = | highlights = | statleague = | statseason = 2025 | statweek = | statlabel1 = Games played | statvalue1 = 8 | statlabel2 = | statvalue2 = | pfr = SokoMa00 }} '''Matthew Ryan Sokol''' (born November 9, 1995) is an American professional football tight end. He played college football for the Michigan State Spartans and began his career as undrafted free agent, landing his first roster spot in 2020 with the Los Angeles Chargers.
==Professional career== {{NFL predraft | height ft = 6 | height in = 5 | weight = 253 | dash = 4.87 | ten split = 1.72 | twenty split = 2.84 | shuttle = 4.34 | cone drill = 7.35 | vertical = 30.5 | broad ft = 9 | broad in = 4 | bench = 23 | arm span = 32 5/8 | hand span = 8 3/4 | note = All values from Pro Day<ref>{{Cite web |url=https://draftscout.com/dsprofile.php?PlayerId=131878&DraftYear=2019 |title=2019 NFL Draft Scout Matt Sokol College Football Profile |website=DraftScout.com |access-date=February 4, 2024}}</ref> }}
===Los Angeles Chargers (first stint)=== Sokol signed with the Los Angeles Chargers as an undrafted free agent following the 2019 NFL draft on April 27, 2019.<ref>{{cite news |author=Henne, Ricky |title=Chargers Agree to Terms with 19 Undrafted Free Agents |url=https://www.chargers.com/news/chargers-agree-to-terms-with-19-undrafted-free-agents |website=Chargers.com |date=April 27, 2019 |access-date=February 8, 2021}}</ref> He was waived during final roster cuts on August 31, 2019,<ref>{{cite news |title=Chargers Announce Roster Moves |url=https://www.chargers.com/news/chargers-announce-roster-moves-x6572 |website=Chargers.com |date=August 31, 2019 |access-date=February 8, 2021}}</ref> and signed to the team's practice squad the next day.<ref>{{cite news |title=Chargers Announce Practice Squad |url=https://www.chargers.com/news/chargers-announce-practice-squad |website=Chargers.com |date=September 1, 2019 |access-date=February 8, 2021}}</ref> He was released on September 18,<ref>{{cite news |author=Fischman, Joshua |title=Wednesday Roundup: Chargers "Fired Up and Ready to Bounce Back" |url=https://www.chargers.com/news/wednesday-roundup-chargers-fired-up-and-ready-to-bounce-back |website=Chargers.com |date=September 18, 2019 |access-date=February 8, 2021}}</ref> and re-signed to the practice squad on October 1.<ref>{{cite news |title=Chargers Promote TE Stephen Anderson to Active Roster |url=https://www.chargers.com/news/chargers-promote-te-stephen-anderson-to-active-roster |website=Chargers.com |date=October 1, 2019 |access-date=February 8, 2021}}</ref> He was released again on October 9, 2019.<ref>{{cite news |title=Chargers Sign C/G Ryan Groy |url=https://www.chargers.com/news/chargers-sign-c-g-ryan-groy |website=Chargers.com |date=October 9, 2019 |access-date=February 8, 2021}}</ref>
===Jacksonville Jaguars (first stint)=== Sokol signed with the Jacksonville Jaguars' practice squad on November 18, 2019.<ref>{{cite news |title=Jaguars sign TE Nick O'Leary |url=https://www.jaguars.com/news/jaguars-sign-te-nick-o-leary |website=Jaguars.com |date=November 18, 2019 |access-date=February 8, 2021}}</ref>
===Detroit Lions=== Sokol signed a reserve/future contract with the Detroit Lions on December 31, 2019.<ref>{{cite news |author=Raven, Benjamin |title=Detroit Lions sign 3 more players to futures contracts, including former Michigan State TE |url=https://www.mlive.com/lions/2019/12/detroit-lions-sign-3-more-players-to-futures-contracts-including-former-michigan-state-te.html |website=MLive.com |date=December 31, 2019 |access-date=February 8, 2021}}</ref> He was waived during final roster cuts on September 5, 2020,<ref>{{cite news |title=Lions announce roster moves |url=https://www.detroitlions.com/news/lions-announce-roster-moves-x4330 |website=DetroitLions.com |date=September 5, 2020 |access-date=February 8, 2021}}</ref> and signed to the team's practice squad on October 21, 2020.<ref>{{cite news |author=Twentyman, Tim |title=Notebook: Lions place Julian Okwara on IR; Austin Bryant (PUP) returns to practice |url=https://www.detroitlions.com/news/notebook-lions-place-julian-okwara-on-ir-austin-bryant-pup-returns-to-practice |website=DetroitLions.com |date=October 21, 2020 |access-date=February 8, 2021}}</ref> He was released three days later.<ref>{{cite news |title=Lions announce roster moves |url=https://www.detroitlions.com/news/lions-announce-roster-moves-x0148 |website=DetroitLions.com |date=October 24, 2020 |access-date=February 8, 2021}}</ref>
===Los Angeles Chargers (second stint)=== Sokol re-signed with the Chargers' practice squad on October 31, 2020.<ref>{{cite news |title=Los Angeles Chargers Announce Roster Moves |url=https://www.chargers.com/news/chargers-announce-roster-moves-before-denver |website=Chargers.com |date=October 31, 2020 |access-date=February 8, 2021}}</ref> He was elevated to the active roster on December 26 for the team's week 16 game against the Denver Broncos, and reverted to the practice squad after the game.<ref>{{cite news |title=Los Angeles Chargers Sign Jessie Lemonier to Active Roster; Place Uchenna Nwosu on Injured Reserve |url=https://www.chargers.com/news/los-angeles-chargers-sign-lemonier-place-uchenna-nwosu-on-injured-reserve |website=Chargers.com |date=December 26, 2020 |access-date=February 8, 2021}}</ref> He was promoted to the active roster on January 1, 2021.<ref>{{cite news |title=Los Angeles Chargers Make Roster Moves Prior to Sunday's Game |url=https://www.chargers.com/news/los-angeles-chargers-make-roster-moves-prior-to-sunday-s-game |website=Chargers.com |date=January 1, 2021 |access-date=February 8, 2021}}</ref>
On August 31, 2021, Sokol was waived by the Chargers.<ref>{{cite web|title=Chargers Begin Cutting Roster Down to 53|url=https://www.chargers.com/news/2021-nfl-chargers-roster-cuts-begin|website=Chargers.com|date=August 30, 2021}}</ref>
===Jacksonville Jaguars (second stint)=== Sokol re-signed with the Jaguars' practice squad on September 2, 2021.<ref>{{Cite web|date=2021-09-02|title=Jags sign QB Kyle Lauletta, TE Matt Sokol to their practice squad|url=https://jaguarswire.usatoday.com/2021/09/02/jags-sign-qb-kyle-lauletta-te-matt-sokol-to-their-practice-squad/|access-date=2021-09-05|website=Jaguars Wire|language=en-US}}</ref>
===Detroit Lions (second stint)=== On January 12, 2022, Sokol signed a reserve/future contract with the Lions.<ref>{{cite web|title=Lions sign TE Matt Sokol to a reserve/future contract|url=https://lionswire.usatoday.com/2022/01/12/lions-sign-te-matt-sokol-to-a-reserve-future-contract/|work=Lions Wire|publisher=USA Today|date=January 12, 2022}}</ref> He was waived on May 10.<ref>{{cite web|title=Detroit Lions waive 5 players, paving way for UDFA signings|url=https://www.prideofdetroit.com/2022/5/10/23065368/detroit-lions-waive-5-players-paving-way-udfa-signings-tavante-beckett-rashod-berry|work=Pride of Detroit|publisher=SB Nation|date=May 10, 2022}}</ref>
===New England Patriots=== On May 11, 2022, Sokol was claimed off waivers by the New England Patriots.<ref>{{cite web|title=Patriots Claim TE Matt Sokol off Waivers from Detroit|url=https://www.patriots.com/news/patriots-claim-te-matt-sokol-off-waivers-from-detroit|website=Patriots.com|date=May 11, 2022}}</ref> He was waived on August 30, and signed to the practice squad the next day.<ref>{{cite web|title=Patriots Make Roster Moves to Reach 53-Man Roster Limit|url=https://www.patriots.com/news/patriots-make-roster-moves-to-reach-53-man-roster-limit|website=Patriots.com|date=August 30, 2022}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|title=Patriots Sign 15 Players to the Practice Squad|url=https://www.patriots.com/news/patriots-sign-15-players-to-the-practice-squad|website=Patriots.com|date=August 31, 2022}}</ref> He signed a reserve/future contract on January 10, 2023.<ref>{{cite web|title=Patriots sign 11 players to future contracts|url=https://www.patriots.com/news/patriots-sign-11-players-to-future-contracts-x6434|website=Patriots.com|date=January 10, 2023}}</ref>
On August 29, 2023, Sokol was waived by the Patriots and re-signed to the practice squad.<ref>{{cite web|title=Patriots Make Roster Moves to Reach the 53-Man Roster Limit|url=https://www.patriots.com/news/patriots-make-roster-moves-to-reach-the-53-man-roster-limit|website=Patriots.com|date=August 29, 2023}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|title=Patriots sign 15 players to the practice squad|url=https://www.patriots.com/news/patriots-sign-15-players-to-the-practice-squad-x7482|website=Patriots.com|date=August 30, 2023}}</ref> He was not among the team's players signed to reserve/future contracts in 2024, and thus became a free agent at the expiration of his practice squad contract.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.masslive.com/patriots/2024/01/which-patriots-are-free-agents-every-player-who-could-leave-in-2024.html|website=MassLive.com|title=Which Patriots are free agents? Every player who could leave in 2024 |date=January 7, 2024|author=O'Malley, Nick}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.patriots.com/news/patriots-sign-seven-players-to-future-contracts-x3311|publisher=New England Patriots|title=Patriots Sign Seven Players to Future Contracts |date=January 8, 2024}}</ref>
===Pittsburgh Steelers (first stint)=== On July 30, 2024, Sokol signed with the Pittsburgh Steelers.<ref name="a402">{{cite web | last=Varley | first=Teresa | title=Steelers make multiple roster moves | website=Steelers.com | date=2024-08-20 | url=https://www.steelers.com/news/steelers-make-camp-roster-moves-x5059 | access-date=2024-12-30}}</ref> He was waived on August 27, and later re-signed to the practice squad.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Varley |first=Teresa |date=August 27, 2024 |title=Steelers trim 2024 roster to 53 players |url=https://www.steelers.com/news/steelers-trim-2024-roster-to-53-players |access-date=2024-12-30 |website=Steelers.com}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=Varley |first=Teresa |date=September 18, 2024 |title=Steelers make additional roster moves |url=https://www.steelers.com/news/steelers-make-additional-roster-moves-x2901 |access-date=2024-12-30 |website=Steelers.com}}</ref> Sokol was released on September 24. He again signed to the practice squad on November 6.
===Buffalo Bills=== On July 22, 2025, Sokol signed with the Buffalo Bills.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Glab |first=Maddy |date=July 22, 2025 |title=Bills sign WR David White Jr. and TE Matt Sokol |url=https://www.buffalobills.com/news/bills-sign-wr-david-white-jr-and-te-matt-sokol |access-date=22 July 2025 |website=BuffaloBills.com}}</ref> He was waived on August 24.<ref>{{cite web|title=Bills release seven players|url=https://www.buffalobills.com/news/bills-release-six-players-aug-24|author=White, Alec|website=BuffaloBills.com|date=August 24, 2025}}</ref>
===Pittsburgh Steelers (second stint)=== On September 17, 2025, Sokol signed with the Pittsburgh Steelers' practice squad.<ref>{{cite web|title=Steelers make roster moves|url=https://www.steelers.com/news/steelers-make-roster-moves-x3662|author=Varley, Teresa|website=Steelers.com|date=September 17, 2025}}</ref>
==References== {{Reflist}}
==External links== *[https://www.steelers.com/team/players-roster/matt-sokol/ Pittsburgh Steelers bio] *[https://msuspartans.com/sports/football/roster/matt-sokol/1444 Michigan State Spartans bio]
{{DEFAULTSORT:Sokol, Matt}} Category:1995 births Category:Living people Category:Sportspeople from Rochester, Michigan Category:Players of American football from Oakland County, Michigan Category:American football tight ends Category:Michigan State Spartans football players Category:Los Angeles Chargers players Category:Jacksonville Jaguars players Category:Detroit Lions players Category:New England Patriots players Category:Pittsburgh Steelers players Category:Buffalo Bills players