Adam Trautman

Verified Timeline

Lore & Background

Trautman's journey began in Williamsburg, Michigan, where he attended Elk Rapids High School. There, he excelled as an All-County selection in both basketball and football, setting every major school passing record as a senior to earn Lake Michigan Conference Player of the Year honors. At the University of Dayton, he redshirted his true freshman season, switching from quarterback to tight end. Over four active seasons, he accumulated 171 receptions for 2,295 yards and 31 touchdowns, earning PFL Offensive Player of the Year as a senior. His professional debut occurred on September 13, 2020, against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. A memorable moment from his rookie year involved a humorous scoring display error where the Buccaneers mistakenly used a photo of Jared Goff instead of Trautman. Rated by Pro Football Focus as the best run-blocking tight end in the NFL that season, he has since become a starter for Denver, playing all 17 games in 2023 with 12 starts.

In Their Own Story

On April 29, 2023, the landscape of Trautman's career shifted when he was traded from the Saints to the Denver Broncos. The deal included the 257th pick of the 2023 draft moving to New Orleans in exchange for the 195th pick and Trautman himself. He immediately stepped into the starting role, playing all 17 games and recording 22 catches for 204 yards with three touchdowns. His commitment to the franchise was solidified on March 13, 2024, when he signed a two-year contract extension. Just over a year later, on March 8, 2026, the Broncos rewarded his reliability with another significant deal: a three-year, $17 million extension. Throughout this period, Trautman has served as the primary tight end, bridging the gap between his collegiate success at Dayton and his professional tenure in Denver.

Reader's Guide

Adam Trautman plays the position of Tight End for the Denver Broncos. He was drafted out of the University of Dayton, where he earned a degree in Electrical Engineering. Fans looking to track his performance should note his specific milestones: he made his NFL debut on September 13, 2020, and scored his first professional touchdown in Week 9 against the Buccaneers during a 38–3 victory. In his rookie season, he finished with 15 receptions for 171 yards and one touchdown. His career path includes a stint on injured reserve from November 23 to December 18, 2021. For those following contract details, he signed an extension in March 2024 and a subsequent three-year deal valued at $17 million in March 2026.

Did You Know?

• Trautman is the first University of Dayton player to appear in an NFL game in 45 years.
• During his rookie season, the Tampa Bay Buccaneers mistakenly used a photo of quarterback Jared Goff on their scoring display instead of Trautman's.
• He switched positions from quarterback to tight end during his true freshman year at Dayton.
• Trautman earned a degree in Electrical Engineering from the University of Dayton.
• In 2023, he played all 17 games for the Broncos with 12 starts.