Andrew Wingard

Andrew Wingard's Biography

Andrew Wingard, affectionately known as Dewey, is a celebrated American professional football safety who is recognized for his spatial awareness and relentless energy on the pitch. Born on December 5, 1996, Wingard has been plying his trade in the National Football League (NFL) with the Jacksonville Jaguars, contributing significantly to the team’s defensive efforts.

Wingard’s journey to the NFL began with his initial exposure to competitive football at the college level, studying and playing at the University of Wyoming. It was here that Wingard began to hone his skills and build a reputation as a formidable safety. During his tenure at Wyoming from 2015 to 2018, Wingard racked up an impressive 454 tackles, the second-most in the illustrious program’s history. He left a lasting legacy, tying for the record for the maximum number of tackles in the history of the Mountain West Conference.

Despite establishing himself as a force on the football field at college, Wingard wasn’t drafted in the 2019 NFL draft. However, his talents didn’t go unnoticed for long. On April 29, 2019, in an enlightened decision by management, the Jacksonville Jaguars secured his services. Wingard was signed to a three-year, $1.76 million contract with a $5,000 signing bonus.

Wingard proved his worth shortly after by making the Jaguars’ final 53-man roster on August 31, 2019. He introduced himself to the NFL in spectacular fashion – by executing a strip sack on Tampa Bay Buccaneers’ prolific quarterback Jameis Winston during Week 13, marking his first career sack in the NFL, albeit in a 28-11 loss.

In an unforeseen development, Wingard was placed on the reserve/COVID-19 list by the Jaguars on August 2, 2020. Fortunately, he recovered rapidly and was back on the active list after just two days. Wrestling back momentum, he cataloged his first interception in Week 1 of the 2020 season against the Indianapolis Colts, intercepting a decisive pass from Philip Rivers during a 27-20 victory. His progress was temporarily derailed by an abdominal strain that led to him being placed on injured reserve on October 12, 2020. However, after just over a month, he was back on the field on November 14, 2020.

Wingard’s pinnacle moment came in Week 17 against the Indianapolis Colts. Despite the team suffering a 28-14 loss, Wingard managed to intercept a crucial pass from Philip Rivers, marking his second career interception in the NFL.

Heralding trust in his potential and development, on March 15, 2022, the Jaguars placed a restricted free agent tender on Wingard. That year, despite starting only three games, he maintained regular appearances throughout the season, starring in all 17 games. Wingard’s contributions added up to 37 total tackles, one interception, one pass defended, and one forced fumble.

Continuing their investment in Wingard, the Jaguars offered him a notable three-year, $9.6 million contract extension on March 15, 2023. Later that season, Wingard showcased his defensive prowess by intercepting a pass against the Pittsburgh Steelers in Week 8.

In August 2024, the start of the season was setback when Wingard was put on injured reserve. The future holds promise, however, with hope that Wingard will return to form quickly, adding to his NFL journey and further contributing to the Jacksonville Jaguars.