Wikipedia

A. J. Klein

Aaron James Klein (born July 30, 1991) is an American former professional football linebacker who played eleven seasons in the National Football League (NFL). He played college football at Iowa State. He was selected by the Carolina Panthers in the fifth round of the 2013 NFL draft.

A. J. Klein
refer to caption
Klein with the Carolina Panthers in 2015
No. 56, 53, 54, 59, 47, 52
Position:Linebacker
Personal information
Born: (1991-07-30) July 30, 1991 (age 33)
Appleton, Wisconsin, U.S.
Height:6 ft 1 in (1.85 m)
Weight:240 lb (109 kg)
Career information
High school:Kimberly (Kimberly, Wisconsin)
College:Iowa State (2009–2012)
NFL draft:2013 / round: 5 / pick: 148
Career history
 * Offseason and/or practice squad member only
Career highlights and awards
Career NFL statistics
Total tackles:465
Sacks:15.5
Forced fumbles:8
Fumble recoveries:4
Pass deflections:20
Interceptions:4
Defensive touchdowns:1
Stats at Pro Football Reference

Early life

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Klein attended Kimberly High School where he was a letterman in football and track. His football team went 37–1 during his career. He led team to back-to-back Division II state championships in his final two seasons. He recorded 121 tackles, five sacks, three forced fumbles and two fumble recoveries as a senior, and his career included 287 tackles, 17 sacks and two interceptions.

In track & field, Klein competed as a sprinter in spring of 2008. During the indoor season, he competed in the 55-meter dash and recorded a personal-best time of 7.01 seconds at the Oshkosh HS Invite.[1] He competed in the 100-meter dash during the outdoor season, earning a 5th-place finish at the WIAA Regional with a time of 11.8 seconds.[2]

Considered a three-star recruit by Rivals.com, he accepted a scholarship offer from Iowa State over offers from Northern Illinois, Western Michigan and Wyoming.[3]

College career

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Klein at Iowa State in 2012

While attending Iowa State University, Klein was a member of the Iowa State Cyclones football team from 2009 to 2012. He played in every game as a true freshman finishing the season with 17 tackles, and also caused and recovered a fumble. He played in 12 games, starting 10, as a sophomore, and finished second on the team in tackles with 111, including eight for loss. He also had three interceptions (returning 2 for touchdowns), four pass deflections, and a fumble recovery. In 2011, he started in all 13 games, recording 116 tackles, including 7.5 tackles for loss and two sacks, seven pass deflections, six pass break ups, and an interception (returned for a touchdown). He was named Big 12 Co-Defensive Player of the Year and earned All-Big 12 first-team honors. In his senior season, he recorded 117 tackles, including 3.5 tackles for loss and one sack, three pass deflections, two pass break ups and an interception (returned for a touchdown). He earned All-Big 12 first-team honors once again.

Professional career

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Pre-draft measurables
Height Weight Arm length Hand span 40-yard dash 10-yard split 20-yard split 20-yard shuttle Three-cone drill Vertical jump Broad jump Bench press
6 ft 1+1⁄4 in
(1.86 m) 		250 lb
(113 kg) 		32+7⁄8 in
(0.84 m) 		10+1⁄4 in
(0.26 m)		 4.66 s 1.60 s 2.69 s 4.35 s 7.06 s 33 in
(0.84 m)		 9 ft 5 in
(2.87 m)		 24 reps
All values from NFL Combine /Iowa State's Pro Day[4][5]

Carolina Panthers

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2013

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The Carolina Panthers selected Klein in the fifth round (148th overall) of the 2013 NFL draft.[6] Klein was the 16th linebacker drafted in 2013.[7]

 
Klein (left) playing for the Panthers in 2015.

On May 23, 2013, the Carolina Panthers signed Klein to a four-year, $2.35 million contract that includes a signing bonus of $191,300.[8]

Throughout training camp, Klein competed against Chase Blackburn, Jordan Senn, Jason Williams, and Doug Hogue for a role as the primary backup outside linebacker.[9][10] Head coach Ron Rivera named Klein the backup strongside linebacker, behind Thomas Davis, to begin the regular season.[11]

He made his professional regular season debut during the Carolina Panthers' season-opening 12–7 loss against the Seattle Seahawks. On November 10, 2013, Klein earned his first career start after Chase Blackburn was ruled inactive due to a foot injury he sustained the previous week. Klein collected a season-high five solo tackles and made his first career sack during their 10–9 victory at the San Francisco 49ers in Week 10. Klein sacked 49ers' quarterback Colin Kaepernick for a 14-yard loss during the second quarter.[12] He finished his rookie season in 2013 with 21 combined tackles (18 solo) and two sacks in 16 games and two starts.[13]

2014

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During training camp in 2014, Klein competed against Chase Blackburn to be a starting outside linebacker.[14] Head coach Ron Rivera named Klein and Thomas Davis the starting outside linebackers to begin the regular season, alongside middle linebacker Luke Kuechly.[15] In Week 4, he collected a season-high seven combined tackles during a 38–10 loss at the Baltimore Ravens. Klein was inactive for the last two games (Weeks 16–17) due to an ankle injury.[16] He finished the 2014 NFL season with 39 combined tackles (25 solo) in 14 games and eight starts.[17]

The Carolina Panthers finished the 2014 NFL season first in the NFC South with a 7–8–1 record, but Klein was inactive due to his ankle injury as they reached the NFC Divisional Round where they were defeated 31–17 at the Seattle Seahawks.[18]

2015

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Klein entered training camp slated as the starting weakside linebacker, but saw competition from rookie first round pick Shaq Thompson.[19] Head coach Ron Rivera named Klein the backup weakside linebacker, behind Shaq Thompson, to begin the regular season.[20] On September 20, 2015, Klein started at middle linebacker after Luke Kuechly was inactive due to a concussion he sustained the previous week.[21] He recorded four combined tackles, one pass deflection, and made his first career interception as the Panthers defeated the Houston Texans 24–17 in Week 2. Klein intercepted a pass by Texans' quarterback Ryan Mallett, that was intended for tight end Garrett Graham, and returned it eight yards during the fourth quarter. In Week 3, he collected a season-high ten combined tackles (six solo) during a 27–22 win against the New Orleans Saints.[22] Klein was inactive for the Panthers' Week 6 victory at the Seattle Seahawks after suffering a concussion during a Week 4 victory at the Tampa Bay Buccaneers.[23] Klein finished the season with 55 combined tackles (39 solo), one pass deflection, one sack, and one interception in 15 games and six starts.[17]

External videos
  Play of the Game: A.J. Klein interception

On February 7, 2016, Klein was part of the Panthers team that played in Super Bowl 50. In the game, the Panthers fell to the Denver Broncos by a score of 24–10.[24]

2016

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During Week 10 of the 2016 season, All-Pro starting linebacker Luke Kuechly was severely concussed and did not play the rest of the season. Kuechly's injury thrust Klein into a starting role for the Panthers. In his seven starts, Klein made 16 solo tackles, assisted on 13 more and registered one sack.[25]

New Orleans Saints

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On March 9, 2017, Klein signed a three-year, $15 million contract with the New Orleans Saints.[26][27] He suffered a groin injury in Week 14 and was placed on injured reserve on December 19, 2017.[28] He started the first 12 games of 2017, recording 54 tackles, two sacks, and four passes defensed.

Buffalo Bills (first stint)

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On March 27, 2020, the Buffalo Bills signed Klein to a three-year, $18 million contract that included $11.30 million guaranteed and a signing bonus of $1.20 million.[29] The signing reunited Klein with Buffalo Bills' head coach Sean McDermott, who previously coached Klein as the Carolina Panthers' defensive coordinator.

Klein was plugged into the starting lineup due to a nagging injury to Matt Milano. Despite struggling throughout much of the first half of the season, Klein had a breakout game against the heavily favored Seattle Seahawks, sacking Russell Wilson twice, including a strip sack which he also recovered that all but sealed a 44–34 win for Buffalo.[30] In Week 10 against the Arizona Cardinals, Klein recorded a team high 10 tackles and sacked Kyler Murray once during the 32–30 loss.[31] In Week 12, following a bye in Week 11, playing at home against the Los Angeles Chargers, Klein recorded another team high in tackles with 14. He also added a sack and three tackles for a loss on rookie Justin Herbert, on the way to a 27–17 Bills victory.[32] Klein was named the AFC Defensive Player of the Week for his performance in Week 12.[33]

Klein was released by the Bills on March 8, 2022, in a cap-clearing move.[34][35]

New York Giants

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On October 3, 2022, the New York Giants signed Klein to their practice squad.[36]

Baltimore Ravens

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On October 6, 2022, the Baltimore Ravens signed Klein to their active roster off the Giants practice squad.[37]

Chicago Bears

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On October 31, 2022, Klein, a 2023 second round pick, and a 2023 fifth round pick were traded to the Chicago Bears for Roquan Smith.[38] Klein was waived by the Bears on November 16, 2022.[39]

Buffalo Bills (second stint)

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On November 17, 2022, Klein was claimed off waivers by the Bills.[40] In the 2022 season, he made his only start, and made nine tackles and broke up a pass, in the Thanksgiving Day game against the Detroit Lions.

Klein re-signed with the Bills on April 17, 2023, for a one-year contract with a base salary of $1.165 million.[41] In July 2023 he told The Buffalo News, “This is the one place I knew I could come to and win the Super Bowl and be around quality people and quality teammates. If this is the end of my journey as far as football goes, I want it to be here in Buffalo.”[42]

He was released on August 29, 2023, and re-signed to the practice squad on September 21.[43] He was promoted to the active roster on October 11.[44] He was released on December 9. Klein was re-signed to the practice squad on January 11, 2024.[45] With Tyrel Dodson injured, Klein was elevated to the team on January 14, for the January 15 game against the Pittsburgh Steelers.[46] The Bills won 31-17 and he led the team in tackles with 11. Before he was called up, he had bought an RV and was planning a road trip to Key West, Florida, for the weekend.[47] He was not signed to a reserve/future contract after the season and thus became a free agent when his practice squad contract expired.[48]

Retirement

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On July 30, 2024, Klein announced his retirement.[49]

NFL career statistics

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Legend
Bold Career high

Regular season

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Year Team Games Tackles Interceptions Fumbles
GP GS Cmb Solo Ast TFL QBH Sck Sfty PD Int Yds Y/I Lng TD FF FR Yds Y/R TD
2013 CAR 16 2 21 18 3 5 2 2.0 0 0 0 0 — 0 0 0 0 0 — 0
2014 CAR 14 8 39 25 14 2 0 0.0 0 0 0 0 — 0 0 1 0 0 — 0
2015 CAR 15 6 55 39 16 7 2 1.0 0 1 1 8 8.0 8 0 1 0 0 — 0
2016 CAR 15 7 31 17 14 2 1 1.0 0 1 0 0 — 0 0 2 0 0 — 0
2017 NO 12 12 54 37 17 6 3 2.0 0 4 0 0 — 0 0 1 0 0 — 0
2018 NO 16 15 70 42 28 7 4 2.0 0 3 1 6 6.0 6 0 0 2 17 8.5 0
2019 NO 15 15 69 47 22 5 5 2.5 0 2 1 14 14.0 14 1 1 0 0 — 0
2020 BUF 16 11 75 53 22 5 9 5.0 0 4 0 0 — 0 0 2 1 0 0.0 0
2021 BUF 15 4 35 29 6 4 1 0.0 0 5 1 12 12.0 12 0 0 1 0 0.0 0
2022 BAL 2 1 5 4 1 1 0 0.0 0 0 0 0 — 0 0 0 0 0 — 0
CHI 2 0 0 0 0 0 0 0.0 0 0 0 0 — 0 0 0 0 0 — 0
BUF 6 1 11 7 4 1 0 0.0 0 0 0 0 — 0 0 0 0 0 — 0
Career 144 82 465 318 147 45 27 15.5 0 20 4 40 10.0 14 1 8 4 17 4.3 0

Postseason

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Year Team Games Tackles
GP GS Cmb Solo Ast TFL QBH Sck Sfty
2013 CAR 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 0.0 0
2014 CAR did not play due to injury
2015 CAR 3 0 2 0 2 0 0 0.0 0
2017 NO did not play due to injury
2018 NO 2 1 7 5 2 2 0 0.0 0
2019 NO 1 1 8 4 4 1 0 0.0 0
2020 BUF 3 1 3 2 1 0 0 0.0 0
2021 BUF 2 0 4 1 3 0 0 0.0 0
2022 BUF 2 0 0 0 0 0 0 0.0 0
Career 14 3 24 12 12 3 0 0.0 0

Personal life

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Klein is a Christian.[50] Klein and his wife, Taylor, have a son, Cannon James, whom they adopted in 2019, and a daughter, Bowie Rose, also born in 2019. Klein and his wife, Taylor, have their newest son born March 2024- Nolan Banks Klein. [51]

References

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  1. ^ "Oshkosh HS Invite - Track & Field Meet".
  2. ^ "WIAA Regional - Track & Field Meet".
  3. ^ "Rivals.com".
  4. ^ "NFL Events: Combine Player Profiles - A.J. Klein". NFL.com.
  5. ^ "A.J. Klein - Iowa State, ILB : 2013 NFL Draft Scout Player Profile".
  6. ^ "2013 NFL Draft Listing". Pro-Football-Reference.com. Retrieved May 15, 2023.
  7. ^ http://www.postcrescent.com/article/20130427/APC02/304270303/Former-Kimberly-star-J-Klein-drafted-by-Carolina-Panthers?nclick_check=1[permanent dead link‍]
  8. ^ "Spotrac.com: A.J. Klein contract". Spotrac.com. Retrieved November 16, 2018.
  9. ^ "Carolina Panthers 2013 Season Preview". wusa9.com. August 31, 2013. Retrieved November 16, 2018.
  10. ^ "Full Training Camp Roster Breakdown for the Carolina Panthers". bleacherreport.com. July 20, 2013. Retrieved November 16, 2018.
  11. ^ "Ourlads.com: Carolina Panthers Depth Chart: 09/05/2013". Ourlads.com. Retrieved November 16, 2018.
  12. ^ "Carolina Panthers at San Francisco 49ers - November 10th, 2013". pro-football-reference.com. Retrieved November 28, 2018.
  13. ^ "2013 rookie class in review". Archived from the original on February 20, 2014. Retrieved February 14, 2014.
  14. ^ "A.J. Klein vs. Chase Blackburn: Positional Battle Royal". catcrave.com. Archived from the original on December 16, 2018. Retrieved December 13, 2018.
  15. ^ "Ourlads.com: Carolina Panthers Depth Chart: 10/01/2014". Ourlads.com. Retrieved December 13, 2018.
  16. ^ "Injury roundup: A.J. Green still battling concussion". NFL.com. December 31, 2014. Retrieved December 13, 2018.
  17. ^ a b "NFL Player stats: A.J. Klein (career)". NFL.com. Retrieved December 14, 2018.
  18. ^ "NFL Player stats: A.J. Klein (2016)". NFL.com. Retrieved December 14, 2018.
  19. ^ "Panthers LB Thompson Working With the 2nd Team". catscratchreader.com. July 13, 2015. Retrieved December 14, 2018.
  20. ^ "Ourlads.com: Carolina Panthers Depth Chart: 10/01/2015". Ourlads.com. Retrieved December 14, 2018.
  21. ^ Person, Joseph (September 17, 2015). "Carolina Panthers comfortable with A.J. Klein if Luke Kuechly can't go". HeraldOnline.com. Retrieved December 14, 2018.
  22. ^ "NFL Player stats: A.J. Klein (2015)". NFL.com. Retrieved December 14, 2018.
  23. ^ Jones, Jonathan (October 14, 2015). "Now Carolina Panthers LB A.J. Klein is in concussion protocol". Charlotte Observer. Retrieved December 14, 2018.
  24. ^ "Super Bowl 50 - Denver Broncos vs. Carolina Panthers - February 7th, 2016". Pro-Football-Reference.com. Retrieved September 2, 2017.
  25. ^ "A.J. Klein Stats - Pro-Football-Reference.com". Pro-Football-Reference.com.
  26. ^ Florio, Mike (March 9, 2017). "Three years, $15 million for A.J. Klein in New Orleans". ProFootballTalk.NBCSports.com.
  27. ^ "New Orleans Saints announce roster moves". NewOrleansSaints.com. March 10, 2017.
  28. ^ Williams, Charean (December 19, 2017). "Saints place A.J. Klein on injured reserve, add John Phillips". ProFootballTalk.NBCSports.com.
  29. ^ Williams, Charean (March 16, 2020). "Report: A.J. Klein agrees to three-year, $18 million deal with Bills". Pro Football Talk. NBC Sports.
  30. ^ Parrino, Matt (November 8, 2020). "A.J. Klein's huge game silences critics after win over Seahawks". syracuse. Retrieved November 9, 2020.
  31. ^ "Buffalo Bills at Arizona Cardinals - November 15th, 2020". Pro-Football-Reference.com. Retrieved November 20, 2020.
  32. ^ "Los Angeles Chargers at Buffalo Bills - November 29th, 2020". Pro-Football-Reference.com. Retrieved November 29, 2020.
  33. ^ Gordon, Grant (December 3, 2020). "Chiefs WR Tyreek Hill, Vikings QB Kirk Cousins among Players of the Week". NFL.com. Retrieved December 6, 2020.
  34. ^ Jenkins, Chris (March 8, 2022). "Bills release linebacker A.J. Klein". Buffalobills.com.
  35. ^ Dimmitt, Zach (July 20, 2023). "Bills LB Hinting at Retirement?". Sports Illustrated Buffalo Bills News, Analysis and More. Retrieved January 16, 2024.
  36. ^ Eisen, Michael (October 3, 2022). "Giants sign vet LB A.J. Klein to practice squad". Giants.com.
  37. ^ Mink, Ryan (October 6, 2022). "Ravens Sign Linebacker A.J. Klein Off Giants Practice Squad". BaltimoreRavens.com.
  38. ^ Patra, Kevin (October 31, 2022). "Bears trading LB Roquan Smith to Ravens for draft picks". NFL.com.
  39. ^ Mayer, Larry (November 16, 2022). "Roster Moves: Bears sign Charlton, activate Adams". Chicago Bears. Retrieved November 17, 2022.
  40. ^ Alper, Josh (November 17, 2022). "Bills claim A.J. Klein off waivers". ProFootballTalk. Retrieved November 17, 2022.
  41. ^ "Bills re-sign LB A.J. Klein to one-year deal". BuffaloBills.com. April 17, 2023.
  42. ^ O'Halloran, Ryan (July 18, 2023). "Entering second NFL decade, Super Bowl ring lone remaining goal for Bills' A.J. Klein". Buffalo News. Retrieved January 16, 2024.
  43. ^ White, Alec (August 29, 2023). "Bills announce moves to get to 53-man roster". BuffaloBills.com.
  44. ^ Glab, Maddy (October 11, 2023). "Bills promote A.J. Klein to 53-man roster; Milano, Jones placed on injured reserve". BuffaloBills.com.
  45. ^ Auberger, Rachel. "Bills bring linebacker A.J. Klein back ahead of Super Wild Card Weekend". Buffalo Rumblings. Retrieved January 12, 2024.
  46. ^ "Bills elevate WR Andy Isabella, LB A.J. Klein from practice squad". NBC Sports. January 14, 2024. Retrieved January 16, 2024.
  47. ^ Holt, Adam (January 15, 2024). "Bills' newest playoff hero reveals wild postgame story". A to Z Sports. Retrieved January 16, 2024.
  48. ^ White, Alec (January 22, 2024). "Bills sign 14 players to Reserve/Futures contracts". Buffalo Bills.
  49. ^ Alper, Josh (July 30, 2024). "A.J. Klein announces his retirement". NBCSports.com. Retrieved July 31, 2024.
  50. ^ Ackerman, Jon. "'God works in mysterious ways' as A.J. Klein goes from RV to Bills' leading tackler". Sports Spectrum. Retrieved January 17, 2024.
  51. ^ "'Meant to be': Buffalo Bills linebacker A.J. Klein describes unique, special road to fatherhood". WSYR. June 18, 2023. Retrieved January 16, 2024.
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