Chris Roland-Wallace, a rising cornerback for the Kansas City Chiefs, has quickly made his mark in the NFL as an undrafted free agent. Known for his versatility and special-teams contributions, Roland-Wallace’s journey from college standout to professional athlete highlights his resilience and determination.
Here’s an in-depth look at his personal life, career, finances, and stats.
Chris Roland-Wallace’s Biography
Category | Details |
Full Name | Christian Roland-Wallace |
Born | November 23, 2001 (Age 23) |
Nationality | American |
College | University of Arizona (2019–2022), USC (2023) |
Height/Weight | 5’11”, 202 lbs |
Position | Cornerback |
NFL Debut | 2024 (Undrafted, signed with Kansas City Chiefs) |
Net Worth | Estimated $1.5 million |
Salary | $960,000 |
Early Career
Chris Roland-Wallace grew up in Palmdale, California, where he first showcased his football talent as a standout cornerback at Highland High School. A three-star recruit, he committed to the University of Arizona in 2019, quickly earning playing time as a true freshman.
Over four seasons with the Wildcats, he developed into a defensive anchor, amassing 169 tackles, 18 pass breakups, and 2 interceptions. His 2022 junior season solidified his reputation, with 58 tackles and 6 pass deflections in 12 starts.
Seeking greater exposure, he transferred to USC for his final college season in 2023, where he started all 12 games, recording 37 tackles, 9 pass deflections, and 2 interceptions. His shutdown performance against Colorado’s Shedeur Sanders—holding the star QB to 4.9 yards per attempt—highlighted his ability to disrupt elite receivers.
These collegiate experiences honed his press coverage skills and tackling reliability, paving the way for his NFL journey despite going undrafted in 2024.
Professional Career
Chris Roland-Wallace entered the NFL as an undrafted free agent in 2024, signing a three-year, $2.84 million contract with the Kansas City Chiefs that included $155,000 guaranteed. As a rookie, he carved out a role primarily on special teams, logging 248 snaps in that phase while contributing 34 tackles (23 solo), 1 interception, and 1 forced fumble over 17 regular-season games.
His defensive snaps (183 total) spiked late in the season due to injuries, notably in Week 17 against Pittsburgh, where he started and recorded a career-high 10 tackles. Analysts praised his physicality in press coverage and open-field tackling, though his limited hip flexibility and occasional route-recognition lapses kept him from securing a starting role.
Heading into 2025, Roland-Wallace remains a key special-teams asset with potential to expand his defensive contributions in Kansas City’s secondary rotation.
Chris Roland-Wallace’s Net Worth Details
Roland-Wallace’s net worth is estimated to be $1.5 million as of 2025.
Contract
Christian Roland-Wallace signed a three-year, $2.84 million contract with the Kansas City Chiefs in May 2024 as an undrafted free agent, a deal that included $155,000 in guaranteed money. The agreement features a modest $5,000 signing bonus and annual base salaries of $795,000 (2024), $960,000 (2025), and $1.075 million (2026).
His 2025 cap hit sits at $961,667, reflecting his growing role as a special-teams contributor and rotational cornerback. While the contract lacks performance incentives or roster bonuses, its structure prioritizes flexibility for the Chiefs, aligning with Roland-Wallace’s status as a developmental player. The guaranteed portion covered his first-year salary, securing his spot during roster cuts.
Salary
Christian Roland-Wallace’s three-year, $2.84 million contract with the Kansas City Chiefs includes annual base salaries of $795,000 (2024), $960,000 (2025), and $1.075 million (2026), with $155,000 guaranteed at signing. The deal features a modest $5,000 signing bonus and no performance incentives, reflecting his undrafted free-agent status.
His 2025 cap hit stands at $961,667, consuming just 0.35% of the Chiefs’ salary cap space. The guaranteed portion covered his first-year roster spot, while the ascending annual salaries ($960k in 2025, $1.075m in 2026) reward continued development as a special-teams contributor and rotational cornerback.
Career Earnings
Year | Team | Earnings |
2024 | Kansas City Chiefs | $800,000 |
2025 | Kansas City Chiefs | $960,000 |
2026 | Kansas City Chiefs | $1,075,000 |
Total | 3 Seasons | $2,835,000 |
Career Stats
Category | Stat |
Games Played | 17 |
Tackles (Solo/Assist) | 34 (23/11) |
Interceptions | 1 |
Forced Fumbles | 1 |
Special Teams Snaps | 248 |
Defensive Snaps | 183 |
Roland-Wallace’s rookie season highlighted his tackling efficiency and special-teams value. His Week 17 performance against Pittsburgh (10 tackles) demonstrated his potential as a rotational defender.
FAQs
1. What position does Chris Roland-Wallace play in the NFL?
Chris Roland-Wallace plays as a Free Safety (FS) for the Kansas City Chiefs. Standing at 6’0″ and 202 lbs, he transitioned from cornerback in college to a hybrid defensive role, contributing to both pass coverage and run defense. His versatility allows him to line up in multiple positions within Steve Spagnuolo’s defensive schemes.
2. What is Chris Roland-Wallace’s contract with the Kansas City Chiefs?
Roland-Wallace signed a 3-year, $2.84 million undrafted free agent contract in 2024, including a $5,000 signing bonus and $155,000 guaranteed. His 2025 base salary is $960,000, with a cap hit of $961,666. The contract runs through 2026, after which he becomes a restricted free agent.
3. Where did Chris Roland-Wallace play college football?
He played five collegiate seasons, starting with four years at Arizona (2019–2022) and transferring to USC for his final year in 2023. At Arizona, he recorded 169 tackles and 18 pass deflections. At USC, he earned Second-Team All-Pac-12 honors with 2 interceptions and a 52.7 QB rating allowed in coverage.
4. What are Chris Roland-Wallace’s Madden NFL 25 ratings?
In Madden NFL 25, Roland-Wallace has a 59 overall rating. Key attributes include 86 speed, 90 acceleration, 66 man coverage, 62 zone coverage, and 50 hit power. His hybrid safety archetype emphasizes balanced skills in coverage, tackling, and situational awareness for a rookie developing in Kansas City’s system.
5. What are Chris Roland-Wallace’s strengths as a defensive player?
His strengths include fluid hip movement for mirroring receivers, quick change-of-direction ability, and disciplined zone awareness. Scouts praise his physicality in run support, click-and-close speed in coverage, and ability to disrupt catches using his 32.5-inch arm length. He excels in press-man coverage and has shown high football IQ.
6. How did Chris Roland-Wallace perform in his rookie NFL season?
During his 2024 rookie season, Roland-Wallace played 183 defensive snaps and 248 special-teams snaps. He recorded his first interception in Week 7 against the 49ers, a pivotal play in Kansas City’s win. His role expanded after injuries to teammates, showcasing adaptability in nickel and safety positions.
7. Why wasn’t Chris Roland-Wallace drafted in the 2024 NFL Draft?
Despite a strong college career, Roland-Wallace went undrafted due to concerns about his 4.64-second 40-yard dash time and perceived limitations in deep coverage. The Chiefs signed him as a priority free agent, valuing his experience (41 college starts) and scheme versatility in hybrid roles.
8. What is Chris Roland-Wallace’s background and early life?
Born November 23, 2001, in Palmdale, California, Roland-Wallace grew up as the youngest of four siblings. He played youth football in the Pete Knight program, later starring at Knight High School as a two-way player (WR/DB). He committed to Arizona to prioritize early playing time and academic stability.
9. How has Steve Spagnuolo utilized Chris Roland-Wallace in Kansas City’s defense?
Spagnuolo praised Roland-Wallace’s intelligence and adaptability, using him at safety, nickel, and cornerback. His role increased due to injuries, with the coaching staff trusting his ability to handle complex assignments. Spagnuolo highlighted his training camp performance against starters as key to earning rotational snaps.
10. What are Chris Roland-Wallace’s physical measurables?
At USC’s Pro Day, he measured 5’11.5” (1.82 m), 201 lbs (91 kg), with 32.5-inch arms and a 77-inch wingspan. His testing included a 37.5-inch vertical jump, 9’11” broad jump, and 17 bench reps. Though lacking elite speed, his length and agility suit press-man and zone schemes.