Jonathan Bullard


Jonathan Bullard is an American football defensive end for the Arizona Cardinals of the National Football League. He played college football at Florida. He was drafted by the Chicago Bears in the third round of the 2016 NFL Draft.

Early years

Bullard attended Crest Senior High School in Shelby, North Carolina. As a senior, he had 82 tackles and 16 sacks. Bullard was a five-star recruit and was ranked as the best defensive end in his class. He committed to the University of Florida to play college football.

College career

Bullard played in all 13 games and made two starts as a true freshman at Florida in 2012. He had 27 tackles and 1.5 sacks. As a sophomore in 2013, he played in 11 games with eight starts and recorded 33 tackles and 1.5 sacks. He started all 12 games and had 52 tackles with 2.5 sacks his junior year in 2014. Bullard returned to Florida his senior season rather than enter the 2015 NFL Draft.

Professional career

Chicago Bears

Bullard was drafted in the third round by the Chicago Bears in the 2016 NFL Draft. He signed his rookie contract on June 6, 2016. He made his NFL debut on September 11 against the Houston Texans. On October 9, Bullard recorded his first sack of his career, taking down Indianapolis Colts' Andrew Luck. He finished his rookie season with one start in fourteen games, recording eighteen tackles and a sack.
Bullard recorded his first career pass break-up on September 28, 2017, as well as a tackle against the Green Bay Packers. On October 29, he logged his first forced fumble against the New Orleans Saints, stripping running back Mark Ingram Jr. In a blowout loss to the Philadelphia Eagles, Bullard got his first and only sack of the 2017 season, bringing down quarterback Carson Wentz on November 26. He finished his second season with three starts, recording 26 tackles, a sack, and two pass breakups.
Bullard was waived during the final roster cuts on August 31, 2019.

Arizona Cardinals

On September 1, 2019, Bullard was claimed off waivers by the Arizona Cardinals. He was placed on injured reserve on December 6, 2019 with a hamstring injury. He finished the season with 22 tackles and 1.5 sacks through nine games and six starts.
On April 3, 2020, Bullard re-signed with the Cardinals.