J. P. Holtz
John Paul "J. P." Holtz (born August 28, 1993) is an American football tight end for the Chicago Bears of the National Football League (NFL). He played college football at Pittsburgh. He was signed by the Cleveland Browns as an undrafted free agent in 2016.
![]() Holtz with the Cleveland Browns in May 2016 | |||||||||
No. 81 – Chicago Bears | |||||||||
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Position: | Tight end | ||||||||
Personal information | |||||||||
Born: | Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania | August 28, 1993||||||||
Height: | 6 ft 3 in (1.91 m) | ||||||||
Weight: | 240 lb (109 kg) | ||||||||
Career information | |||||||||
High school: | Pittsburgh (PA) Shaler Area | ||||||||
College: | Pittsburgh | ||||||||
Undrafted: | 2016 | ||||||||
Career history | |||||||||
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* Offseason and/or practice squad member only | |||||||||
Roster status: | Active | ||||||||
Career NFL statistics as of 2019 | |||||||||
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Professional career
Cleveland Browns
Holtz was signed by the Cleveland Browns as an undrafted free agent on May 5, 2016.[1] He was waived by the Browns on September 3, 2016.[2] On December 20, 2016, he was signed to the Browns' practice squad.[3] The Browns signed Holtz to a reserve/future contract on January 2, 2017.[4]
On September 2, 2017, Holtz was waived by the Browns and was signed to the practice squad the next day.[5][6] He was released on October 10, 2017.[7]
Washington Redskins
Holtz signed with the Washington Redskins on August 11, 2018.[8] On September 1, 2018, he was waived for final roster cuts before the start of the 2018 season, and signed with the team's practice squad four days later.[9][10] He was promoted to the active roster on December 29, 2018.[11]
Holtz was waived on August 31, 2019, but was signed to the practice squad the following day.[12][13] He was promoted to the active roster on September 7, 2019.[14] In his NFL debut against the Philadelphia Eagles, he played exclusively on special teams.[15] He was waived on September 10, 2019.[16]
Chicago Bears
On September 11, 2019, Holtz was claimed off waivers by the Chicago Bears.[17] During the 2019 season, in addition to playing tight end, he spent time at fullback when the Bears ran rushing plays out of the I formation.[18][19] In a Week 14 win over the Dallas Cowboys, Holtz led the Bears in receiving yards as he caught three passes for 56 yards; during the second quarter, he caught a screen pass and gained 30 yards to set up a field goal.[20] He ended the year with seven starts in 14 games as he caught seven passes for 91 yards.[21]
Holtz became an exclusive-rights free agent after the 2019 season. He re-signed with the Bears on April 17, 2020.[21]
References
- "Browns agree to terms with 11 undrafted free agents". ClevelandBrowns.com. May 5, 2016. Archived from the original on November 25, 2017. Retrieved August 8, 2017.
- Gribble, Andrew (September 3, 2016). "Cleveland Browns reduce roster to 53". ClevelandBrowns.com. Archived from the original on August 9, 2017. Retrieved August 8, 2017.
- "Browns add 2 to practice squad". ClevelandBrowns.com. December 20, 2016. Retrieved August 8, 2017.
- "Browns sign 8 to reserve/future list". ClevelandBrowns.com. January 2, 2017. Archived from the original on October 10, 2017. Retrieved August 8, 2017.
- Gribble, Andrew (September 2, 2017). "Cleveland Browns reduce roster to 53". ClevelandBrowns.com. Archived from the original on February 1, 2018.
- "Browns claim 5 players off waivers". ClevelandBrowns.com. September 3, 2017. Archived from the original on February 1, 2018.
- "Browns sign TE Matt Lengel to practice squad". ClevelandBrowns.com. October 10, 2017. Archived from the original on October 13, 2017.
- "8/11: Redskins Make Roster Moves". Redskins.com. August 11, 2018. Retrieved August 11, 2018.
- "9/1: Redskins Make Roster Moves". Redskins.com. September 1, 2018. Retrieved September 1, 2018.
- "Redskins Sign Josh Keyes, Place Byron Marshall On Injured Reserve". Redskins.com. September 4, 2018. Retrieved September 8, 2018.
- "Redskins Sign J.P. Holtz To Active Roster". Redskins.com. December 29, 2018.
- "Redskins Make Roster Moves". Redskins.com. August 31, 2019. Retrieved September 2, 2019.
- "Redskins Sign Nine Players To Practice Squad". Redskins.com. September 1, 2019. Retrieved September 2, 2019.
- "Report: Redskins signing TE J.P. Holtz from practice squad, releasing Robert Davis, Jordan Reed likely OUT vs Eagles". Hogs Haven. SB Nation. September 7, 2019.
- Mayer, Larry (September 11, 2019). "Roster moves: Bears add TE Holtz, waive DT Anderson". Chicago Bears. Retrieved September 11, 2019.
- "Redskins Sign DL T.Y. McGill, CB Simeon Thomas; Waive CB Greg Stroman (Injured), TE J.P. Holtz". Redskins.com. September 10, 2019.
- Mayer, Larry (September 11, 2019). "Roster moves: Bears add TE Holtz, waive DT Anderson". ChicagoBears.com.
- Chamberlain, Gene (October 28, 2019). "David Montgomery's Big Day Wasted by Mistake-Prone Bears". Sports Illustrated. Retrieved October 28, 2019.
- Lieser, Jason (October 28, 2019). "Snap Judgment: Fewer snaps on defense made a difference for Bears". Chicago Sun-Times. Retrieved October 28, 2019.
- Smith, Nathan (December 5, 2019). "Quick hits: Robinson and Miller find end zone, big night for tight ends". Chicago Bears. Retrieved December 6, 2019.
- Mayer, Larry (April 17, 2020). "Roster Moves: Bears announce five transactions". Chicago Bears. Retrieved April 17, 2020.