Kristian Welch (born May 24, 1998) is an American professional
football
Football is a family of team sports that involve, to varying degrees, kick (football), kicking a football (ball), ball to score a goal (sports), goal. Unqualified, football (word), the word ''football'' generally means the form of football t ...
linebacker
Linebacker (LB) is a playing position in gridiron football. Linebackers are members of the defensive team, and typically line up three to five yards behind the line of scrimmage and so back up the defensive linemen. They play closer to the line ...
for the
Green Bay Packers
The Green Bay Packers are a professional American football team based in Green Bay, Wisconsin. The Packers compete in the National Football League (NFL) as a member of the National Football Conference (NFC) NFC North, North division. They ar ...
of the
National Football League
The National Football League (NFL) is a Professional gridiron football, professional American football league in the United States. Composed of 32 teams, it is divided equally between the American Football Conference (AFC) and the National ...
(NFL). He was signed by the
Baltimore Ravens
The Baltimore Ravens are a professional American football team based in Baltimore. The Ravens compete in the National Football League (NFL) as a member of the American Football Conference (AFC) AFC North, North division. The team plays its home g ...
as an
undrafted free agent
In professional sports, a free agent is a player or manager who is eligible to sign with other clubs or franchises; i.e., not under contract to any specific team. The term is also used in reference to a player who is under a contract at present ...
in 2020 following his
college football
College football is gridiron football that is played by teams of amateur Student athlete, student-athletes at universities and colleges. It was through collegiate competition that gridiron football American football in the United States, firs ...
career at
Iowa
Iowa ( ) is a U.S. state, state in the upper Midwestern United States, Midwestern region of the United States. It borders the Mississippi River to the east and the Missouri River and Big Sioux River to the west; Wisconsin to the northeast, Ill ...
.
Professional career
Baltimore Ravens (first stint)
Welch signed with the
Baltimore Ravens
The Baltimore Ravens are a professional American football team based in Baltimore. The Ravens compete in the National Football League (NFL) as a member of the American Football Conference (AFC) AFC North, North division. The team plays its home g ...
as an
undrafted free agent
In professional sports, a free agent is a player or manager who is eligible to sign with other clubs or franchises; i.e., not under contract to any specific team. The term is also used in reference to a player who is under a contract at present ...
following the
2020 NFL draft
The 2020 NFL draft was the 85th annual meeting of National Football League (NFL) franchises to select newly eligible players for the 2020 NFL season. The first round was held on April 23, followed by the second and third rounds on April 24. The ...
on May 6, 2020. He was waived during final roster cuts on September 5, 2020, and re-signed to the team's
practice squad
In gridiron football, the practice squad, also called the taxi squad or practice roster, is a group of players signed by a team but not part of their main roster. They serve as extra players during the team's practices, often as part of the scou ...
the next day. He was placed on the practice squad/injured list on September 15, and activated back to the practice squad on October 6, 2020 He was elevated to the active roster on October 17, 2020, and October 31, 2020, for the team's weeks 6 and 8 games against the
Philadelphia Eagles
The Philadelphia Eagles are a professional American football team based in Philadelphia. The Eagles compete in the National Football League (NFL) as a member of the National Football Conference (NFC) NFC East, East division. The team plays its ...
and
Pittsburgh Steelers
The Pittsburgh Steelers are a professional American football team based in Pittsburgh. The Steelers compete in the National Football League (NFL) as a member of the American Football Conference (AFC) AFC North, North division. Founded in 1933 P ...
, and reverted to the practice squad after each game. He was promoted to the active roster on November 7, 2020.
The Ravens placed an
exclusive-rights free agent tender on Welch on March 10, 2021. He signed the one-year contract on April 18, 2021.
On March 9, 2022, the Ravens placed an
exclusive-rights free agent tender on Welch.
On April 8, 2023, Welch re-signed with the Ravens. He was released on August 29, 2023.
Green Bay Packers (first stint)
Welch was signed to the
Green Bay Packers
The Green Bay Packers are a professional American football team based in Green Bay, Wisconsin. The Packers compete in the National Football League (NFL) as a member of the National Football Conference (NFC) NFC North, North division. They ar ...
practice squad on August 31, 2023. He was promoted to the active roster on September 28, 2023. Welch was re-signed on March 14, 2024. He was released on August 27, 2024.
Denver Broncos
On August 29, 2024, Welch was signed by the
Denver Broncos
The Denver Broncos are a professional American football team based in Denver. The Broncos compete in the National Football League (NFL) as a member of the American Football Conference (AFC) AFC West, West division. The team is headquartered in E ...
. On October 15, he was released by the Broncos.
Baltimore Ravens (second stint)
On October 16, 2024, Welch was signed to the Baltimore Ravens' practice squad. He was promoted to the active roster on November 23.
Green Bay Packers (second stint)
On March 28, 2025, Welch signed with the Green Bay Packers.
NFL career statistics
Regular season
Postseason
References
External links
Green Bay Packers bioIowa Hawkeyes football bio
{{DEFAULTSORT:Welch, Kristian
1998 births
Living people
People from Iola, Wisconsin
Players of American football from Wisconsin
American football linebackers
Iowa Hawkeyes football players
Baltimore Ravens players
Green Bay Packers players
Denver Broncos players