Venezuelan Andres Borregales and Colombian Christian Gonzalez of the New England Patriots and Isiah Pacheco, a running back with Dominican roots for the Kansas City Chiefs, are some of the figures to watch among the Latinos who will play in the 2025 NFL season.
Gonzalez, Pacheco, Santos, Martinez, Sanchez, are increasingly common surnames in the NFL, surnames that show the Latino influence in the league of one of the most deeply rooted sports in the United States.
Latinos to watch in the NFL in the 2025-2026 season
The start of the 2025 NFL season will continue this trend with a handful of players born in Latin America.
Or children of parents who, after immigrating to this country, made their way to earn a spot on one of the 32 NFL teams.
The six-time Super Bowl-winning New England Patriots will have two South American talents to keep an eye on.
Christian González, son of Colombian Héctor González, considered one of the best cornerbacks in the NFL.
Gonzalez, 23, had a brilliant 2024 campaign that ranked as the 84th player in the NFL’s top 100 among the league’s nearly 1,700 players.
He is poised to be the NFL’s next defensive star.
Another Latino to watch in the NFL for the Patriots is Andres Borregales, a 22-year-old kicker born in Caracas.
Borregales had an outstanding performance in this year’s preseason, which determined his permanence in the team.
A sixth-round pick in last April’s draft, he won the starting job from Parker Romo this preseason.
Isiah Pacheco at Kansas City Chiefs
Isiah Pacheco, of Dominican and Puerto Rican blood, is one of the most beloved players on the Kansas City Chiefs, a team with which he has been champion in Super Bowls LVII and LVIII.
At 26 years of age, he is one of the Latin Americans to watch in the most winning franchise of the recent decade.
In Chicago, Cairo Santos
In Chicago, Brazilian kicker Cairo Santos will complete his sixth season as a starter for the Bears in 2025.
Born in Limeira, São Paulo, 33 years ago, he is a guarantee in Chicago’s offense.
He holds team records for most field goals of 50+ yards in a season (he connected on eight in 2023), consecutive field goals, with 40 in 2021, and best field goal percentage made, with 89.3.
Others on the list
Buzzy
The list of established Latinos continues with several players of Mexican roots such as 49ers linebacker Fred Warner.
Will Hernandez, Cardinals lineman; Alijah Vera-Tucker, Jets lineman; Steve Avila, Rams offensive lineman.
As well as kickers Corey Bojorquez of the Browns, Matt Araiza of the Chiefs and Rigoberto Sanchez of the Colts, Joe Cardona of the Patriots and Hogan Hatten of the Lions.
In addition to Borregales, among the rookies who will try to shine in the 2025 season is tight end Elijah Arroyo, who learned to play American soccer in Cancun, southern Mexico, and will play for the Seattle Seahawks.
Despite not being on the 53-man roster of their respective franchises, these Latin Americans will also be looking to make their way up from the practice squads.
Puerto Rican Federico Marangues and Damien Martinez, of Mexican origin, will be with the Seahawks; and Colombian receiver Xavier Restrepo will be a reserve with the Titans.
Mexico’s Isaac Alarcon, suspended six games for violating NFL substance abuse policies, remains with the 49ers.
González, Pacheco, Santos, Martínez, Sánchez, son apellidos cada vez más comunes en la NFL
Agencia Efe
With information from Agencia Efe.
