Last updated: August 2026
| Net Worth | Estimated $5 million – $10 million |
| Born | April 12, 2000 |
| Profession | Professional Football Player (Defensive End) |
| Nationality | 🇺🇸 Nigerian-American |
Joseph Ossai is a Nigerian-American professional football player who plays defensive end for the New York Jets. His net worth is estimated at $5 million to $10 million, built up over five NFL seasons, capped by a major free-agent contract signed in 2026.
Early Life & Family
Joseph Ossai was born on April 12, 2000, in Ketu Ijaniki, Lagos, Nigeria. He moved with his family to Conroe, Texas at around age 10, where he attended Oak Ridge High School in Montgomery County and developed into a top football recruit.
Rise to Fame
Ossai earned a scholarship to the University of Texas, where he played from 2018 to 2020. In his final college season he recorded 55 tackles, 15.5 tackles for loss, and 5 sacks, earning consensus All-American and first-team All-Big 12 honors. That breakout year led him to declare for the NFL Draft after the 2020 season.
Career History
The Cincinnati Bengals selected Ossai in the third round (69th overall) of the 2021 NFL Draft. A season-ending meniscus injury limited his rookie year, but he gradually developed into a rotational pass-rusher, posting career highs of five sacks and 26 tackles across 17 games in 2024. He re-signed with the Bengals on a one-year deal for the 2025 season before signing with the New York Jets in March 2026 on a three-year contract reported at roughly $36 million.
How They Built Their Wealth
Ossai’s wealth comes from his NFL playing contracts. His four-year rookie deal with the Bengals was worth roughly $5.3 million, he earned a one-year, $6.5 million contract with Cincinnati for 2025 that included a $3 million signing bonus, and his 2026 move to the Jets brought a three-year deal worth about $36 million, including a $9 million signing bonus and over $22 million guaranteed.
Personal Life
Ossai has spoken about his family’s move from Lagos, Nigeria to Texas as a formative part of his upbringing. Beyond his football career, he has kept a relatively low public profile regarding his personal life.
Joseph Ossai’s net worth is estimated at $5 million to $10 million, reflecting five NFL seasons and a significant 2026 free-agent contract with the New York Jets.