Steven Nelson

Steven Nelson Jr. was born on January 22, 1993, in Warner Robins, Georgia. He attended Northside High School, where he excelled in both football and track. As a senior, he recorded seven interceptions on defense and seven punt return touchdowns, also achieving a personal best of 11.15 seconds in the 100 meters. His athletic prowess continued at the College of the Sequoias for two years, where he accumulated 71 tackles and six interceptions. He then transferred to Oregon State University, initially playing as a nickel corner before becoming a consistent starter. During his time at Oregon State, he made 62 tackles and six interceptions in his first season and 60 tackles and two interceptions as a senior in 2014, earning second-team All-Pac-12 honors in 2014.

Nelson was selected by the Kansas City Chiefs in the third round (98th overall) of the 2015 NFL Draft. He signed a four-year, $2.91 million contract with the team. After being a healthy scratch for the first four games of his rookie season, he made his professional debut in Week 4 against the Cincinnati Bengals. By 2016, he had earned a starting cornerback position and concluded the season with 65 combined tackles and 16 pass deflections in 15 games. In 2017, despite an early season core muscle injury that placed him on injured reserve, he returned to play nine games, making 41 combined tackles and four pass deflections. The 2018 season saw him start all 16 games, recording 68 combined tackles, 15 passes defensed, and his first four career interceptions, including an uncommon interception off a ricocheted pass against the Jacksonville Jaguars.

Following his tenure with the Chiefs, Nelson signed a three-year, $25.5 million contract with the Pittsburgh Steelers in 2019. He continued to be a starting cornerback, making 61 tackles and one interception in his first season with the Steelers. In 2020, he had two interceptions against the Philadelphia Eagles. After requesting a release, his contract with the Steelers was terminated in March 2021. He then secured a one-year deal with the Philadelphia Eagles in July 2021, starting 16 games and contributing 50 tackles and one interception. In April 2022, Nelson signed with the Houston Texans. A significant highlight during his time with the Texans included an 82-yard pick-six against the Cleveland Browns in the 2023 Wild Card game. In June 2024, Nelson announced his retirement from the NFL but subsequently unretired and rejoined the Kansas City Chiefs’ practice squad in December 2024.