LOCALS IN THE NFL

Every Local Player, Coach Set To Compete In 2025 NFL Playoffs

Jan 9, 2025, 5:09 PM | Updated: 5:10 pm

Locals In The NFL Playoffs Los Angeles Rams WR Puka Nacua...

INGLEWOOD, CALIFORNIA - DECEMBER 08: Puka Nacua #17 of the Los Angeles Rams celebrates after a touchdown in the third quarter of a game against the Buffalo Bills at SoFi Stadium on December 08, 2024 in Inglewood, California. (Photo by Katelyn Mulcahy/Getty Images)

(Photo by Katelyn Mulcahy/Getty Images)

SALT LAKE CITY – After 18 weeks of highlights and hard-hitting action, the 2025 NFL playoffs are officially here.

Across the eight teams in the postseason, there are 32 players and coaches with local ties to keep your eye out for.

Locals With A First-Round Bye

While six of the eight teams fight for a spot in the Divisional Round, locals on the Kansas City Chiefs and Detroit Lions simply have to wait to find out their first playoff opponent.

Detroit has three players with local ties. Desert Hills standout offensive lineman Penei Sewell is accompanied by two former Utes in WR Tim Patrick and RB/S Sione Vaki. The Lions will face off against the winner of the Los Angeles/Minnesota game.

For Kansas City, two former BYU Cougars get a week of rest before playing the winner of the Houston/Los Angeles game. Head coach Andy Reid and offensive lineman Kingsley Suamataia look to help the Chiefs win their third Super Bowl in a row.

RELATED: How To Watch Local Players, Coaches In 2025 NFL Wild Card Round Games

Locals Looking To Advance From the AFC Wild Card

The first Wild Card game will be played on Saturday afternoon between the Houston Texans and the Los Angeles Chargers. Each team has two locals and three of the four players were High School standouts.

Houston has Bingham High star TE Dalton Schultz and former Utah offensive lineman Braeden Daniels. The Chargers have Brighton High WR Simi Fehoko and Orem safety Alohi Gilman.

The second game on Saturday is the Baltimore Ravens hosting the Pittsburgh Steelers. Once again, this matchup features four Utah locals.

Baltimore is home to a rivalry pairing with former BYU LB Kyle Van Noy and Utah safety Marcus Williams. Pittsburgh has former Southern Utah safety Miles Killebrew and East High standout RB Jaylen Warren.

Lastly in the AFC, the Buffalo Bills and the Denver Broncos will clash on Sunday morning. This is the biggest game for locals with a total of nine players across the two teams.

Denver is home to four Utah Utes and one BYU Cougar. WR Devaughn Vele, DE Jonah Elliss, LB Cody Barton, and OL Garett Bolles. Bench QB Zach Wilson is the sole BYU alum.

Buffalo is also dominated by Utes with three Utah men and one former Wildcat. Safety Cole Bishop, TE Dalton Kincaid, and safety Terrell Burgess are joined by former Weber State defensive back Taron Johnson.

Locals Looking To Advance From the NFC Wild Card

The second game on Sunday will see the first NFC Wild Card matchup between the Philadelphia Eagles and the Green Bay Packers. There will be four locals playing in this game.

For the Eagles, former Utah WR Britain Covey is the only name. For Green Bay, former Utah State QB Jordan Love is joined by two former BYU Cougars in RB Chris Brooks and safety Zayne Anderson.

On Sunday Night Football, the Tampa Bay Buccaneers will host the Washington Commanders. Three locals will suit up in this game.

Tampa Bay has former Weber State OL Sua Opeta and Washington has former Utah State LB Bobby Wagner as well as former BYU CB Michael Davis. Former Utah Ute and current assistant head coach Brian Johnson will be on the Commanders’ sideline.

Lastly, the Los Angeles Rams and the Minnesota Vikings will face off on Monday Night Football. Both teams have just one local.

The Rams have none other than the former BYU Cougar turned superstar, WR Puka Nacua. The Vikings have former Weber State defensive end Jonah Williams.

About #LocalsInTheNFL

For over five years, KSL Sports has provided coverage on all NFL players with ties to the state of Utah.

Whether they attended Utah or BYU or grew up in the Beehive State, we keep you caught up with how the locals are performing on the highest stage.

From highlights to trades and other breaking news, check out our Locals In The NFL coverage here.

Chandler Holt is a co-host of the Jazz Notes podcast, a Locals In The NFL Insider, and Digital Sports Producer for sports.ksl.com. Follow Chandler on X for Utah Jazz and Locals In The NFL updates.

Take us with you, wherever you go.

Download the new & improved KSL Sports app from Utah’s sports leader. You can stream live radio, video and stay up to date on all of your favorite teams.

Locals In the NFL

Puka Nacua #12 of the Los Angeles Rams injury 2026...

Brian Preece

Locals in the NFL: Rams expected to place Puka Nacua on IR

Los Angeles is expected to place Puka Nacua on injured reserve, sidelining one of the NFL’s most productive receivers for at least four games.

4 days ago

Puka Nacua #12 of the Los Angeles Rams...

Brian Preece

Locals in the NFL: Puka Nacua reportedly injured late in Rams win

Rams wide receiver Puka Nacua is reportedly expected to undergo an MRI after suffering a knee injury on the final offensive snap against the Commanders.

5 days ago

Tyler Huntley #5 of the Baltimore Ravens toe injury...

Brian Preece

Locals in the NFL: Former Utah QB Tyler Huntley injured in Ravens’ loss to Bills

Former Utah quarterback Tyler Huntley left Baltimore’s loss to Buffalo with a toe injury, leaving his status uncertain as Lamar Jackson heads to injured reserve.

12 days ago

Jaylen Warren #30 of the Pittsburgh Steelers vs. Browns...

Brian Preece

Locals in the NFL: Jaylen Warren powers Steelers past Browns into first place

Jaylen Warren topped 100 rushing yards for the fourth time this season as the Steelers beat the Browns 27-6 and took control of the AFC North.

12 days ago

Jordan Love #10 of the Green Bay Packers vs. Panthers 2026...

Brian Preece

Packers ride Jordan Love’s arm to Thursday night win over Devin Lloyd’s Panthers

Jordan Love threw for 288 yards and three touchdowns as the Green Bay Packers held off the Carolina Panthers for a 27-19 win on Thursday Night Football.

15 days ago

Jaylen Warren #30 of the Pittsburgh Steelers Week 5...

Brian Preece

Locals in the NFL: ‘He’s hot’, Jaylen Warren earns featured role in Steelers offense

Former East High standout Jaylen Warren is climbing the NFL rushing and scrimmage-yard rankings after a breakout stretch with the Steelers.

30 days ago

Sponsored Articles

...

KSL Sports

Northern Utah Player of the Week – Parker Moffat

The John Watson Northern Utah High School Player of the Week is celebrating the best high school football player in Northern Utah.

Photos provided by families of featured athletes...

KSL Sports

Northern Utah Player of the Week – Week 7 – Carson Murphy

The John Watson Northern Utah High School Player of the Week is celebrating the best high school football player in Northern Utah.

Photos provided by family of featured athletes...

Salt Lake County High School Basketball Players of the Week – Week 13 – Stacia Peoples & Gavin Lowe

The Hercules Salt Lake County High School Player of the Week is celebrating the best high school basketball players in Salt Lake County.

...

Northern Utah High School Basketball Players of the Week – Week 13 – Rachel McBride & Lincoln Smith

The John Watson Northern Utah High School Player of the Week is celebrating the best high school basketball players in Northern Utah.

Photos provided by featured athletes...

Utah County High School Basketball Players of the Week – Week 13 – Janiece Sikander & Brody Thompson

The Mr. Mac Utah County High School Player of the Week is awarded each week to the top prep boy's and girl's basketball players in Utah County.

Photos provided by featured athletes...

Salt Lake County High School Basketball Players of the Week – Week 12 – Evy Roberts & Krew Eckman

The Hercules Salt Lake County High School Player of the Week is celebrating the best high school basketball players in Salt Lake County.

Every Local Player, Coach Set To Compete In 2025 NFL Playoffs