NFL CAREER – Originally selected in the fifth round of the 2019 NFL Draft by the New York Giants, Connelly will provide experience and depth to the Saints linebacker corps and special teams units. In four seasons with the Giants (2019) and Minnesota Vikings (2020-22), the Eden Prairie, Minn. native has appeared in 31 games with three starts with career totals of 21 tackles (11 solo), one sack, two interceptions, two passes defensed and nine special teams stops.
CAREER TRANSACTIONS – Signed by the New Orleans Saints to a reserve/future contract, 1/26/23; Elevated to active roster by Minnesota (standard), 1/7/23; Signed to practice squad by Minnesota, 10/6/22; Waived by Minnesota, 10/5/22; Activated by Minnesota from Physically Unable to Perform, 10/4/22; Placed by Minnesota on Physically Unable to Perform, 8/23/22; Placed by Minnesota on Injured Reserve (knee), 12/13/21; Reinstated by Minnesota from Reserve/COVID-19, 11/18/21; Placed by Vikings on Reserve/COVID-19, 11/8/21; Acquired by Minnesota Vikings off Waivers from Giants, 9/6/20; Waived by Giants, 9/5/20; Placed by Giants on Injured Reserve, 9/30/19; Signed by Giants to a four-year contract, 5/13/19; Selected by the New York Giants in the fifth round (143rd overall) of the 2019 NFL Draft.
2022 – Appeared in finale for Vikings at Chicago, 18/23 and recorded one solo tackle. 2021 – Appeared in 12 games for Vikings, recording three special teams tackles, before suffering season-ending knee injury. 2020 – Played in career-high 14 games for Vikings and had career-high six special teams stops…Made Vikings debut at Indianapolis Sept. 20 and had one special teams stop…Recorded two special teams tackles at New Orleans, Dec. 25. 2019 – Played in opening four games of the season for Giants and started final three he played in before suffering season-ending knee injury…Made NFL debut in opener at Dallas, Sept. 8, where he had two solo tackles…Started first career game vs. Buffalo, Sept. 15 and posted six tackles…Had interceptions in consecutive games at Tampa Bay, Sept. 22, and vs. Washington Sept. 29, when he added a sack. Notched first career pick off Jameis Winston at Buccaneers and returned it 13 yards. Added career-best seven tackles in game and helped team to a 32-31 win, their first of the season. The interception was the first by a Giants rookie LB since Bryan Kehl snared a Ben Roethlisberger pass in 2008. Had most productive game of season vs. Washington before suffering injury. Grabbed an interception off Case Keenum on third play of game that set up a touchdown. Sacked Keenum for a two-yard loss on the next series and finished with five tackles.
COLLEGE – Capped Badgers career with 246 tackles (156 solo), 29 stops for loss, 6.0 sacks and two interceptions in 52 games with 26 starts…Originally a walk-on, earned a scholarship before second season…Started all 12 games he played as senior (2018), served as a team captain and was third-team All-Big Ten (coaches)…Helped Badgers go 4-0 in bowls and to two Big Ten Championship game appearances (2016-17), highlighted by a 13-1 season in 2017 that ended with an Orange Bowl win over Miami…Led team in tackles as junior (88) and ranked second on team as senior (89)…Honorable Mention All-Big Ten as junior and Academic All-Big Ten as junior and senior…Named Big Ten Defensive Player of the Week as sophomore in 2016 for 11-tackle day against Nebraska, when he played in 14 games with six starts…Redshirted in 2014 and played in 12 games in 2015…Earned economics degree.Â
PERSONAL – Helped Eden Prairie (Minn.) HS to three straight Class 6A state football titles as a sophomore, junior and senior, playing under Head Coach Mike Grant, the son of late Pro Football Hall of Fame Vikings Head Coach Bud Grant…Helped lacrosse team to state titles as a junior and senior…Cousin, Anders Lee, plays in the NHL with the New York Islanders.
