Every Local Player, Coach Set To Compete In 2025 NFL Playoffs
Jan 9, 2025, 5:09 PM | Updated: 5:10 pm
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.
The #NFLPlayoffs are set! pic.twitter.com/M1ui4No2Qf
— NFL (@NFL) January 6, 2025
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
Number of playoff wins by coaches currently in the playoffs:
Andy Reid might just be the best ever… pic.twitter.com/ss3A3452BD
— Dov Kleiman (@NFL_DovKleiman) January 9, 2025
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.
Another look at the the playoff seeding before Wild Card Weekend
(by @surface) pic.twitter.com/kpfZEWRQU5
— NFL (@NFL) January 7, 2025
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.
Let’s get Wild (Card)!
🎟️ https://t.co/mCadENSOdm | #RamsHouse pic.twitter.com/S8c0NT5IUl
— Los Angeles Rams (@RamsNFL) January 6, 2025
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.
