Nikola Kalinic

Nikola Kalinic (; born January 21, 1997) is a Canadian professional football tight end for the Chicago Bears of the National Football League (NFL). He has previously played in the NFL for the Indianapolis Colts and Los Angeles Rams, and in the Canadian Football League (CFL) for the Hamilton Tiger-Cats.

University career Kalinic played U Sports football for the York Lions from 2015 to 2018. In his four years with the team, he had 38 catches for 416 yards and two touchdowns and was the first York football player to be named an OUA All-Star twice in one season (on offence and on special teams).

Hamilton Tiger-Cats Kalinic was selected in the second round, tenth overall, by the Hamilton Tiger-Cats in the 2019 CFL draft and he signed with the team on May 17, 2019. After making the team following training camp, he played in his first professional game on June 13, 2019 against the Saskatchewan Roughriders. In his second game, on June 22, 2019, against the Toronto Argonauts, he scored his first career CFL touchdown on his first career reception on a 31-yard pass from Jeremiah Masoli. Overall, Kalinic played in 16 regular season games for the Tiger-Cats in 2019 where he recorded 12 receptions for 106 yards and one touchdown. He played in his first career post-season game, against the Edmonton Eskimos, in the East Final win that sent the Tiger-Cats to the 107th Grey Cup. Kalinic played in his first Grey Cup game, but the Tiger-Cats lost to the Winnipeg Blue Bombers.

Indianapolis Colts Kalinic signed with the Indianapolis Colts of the National Football League (NFL). He was waived on August 30, 2022, and signed to the practice squad the next day. He was promoted to the active roster on December 13. He was waived on May 4, 2023.

Los Angeles Rams On July 14, 2023, Kalinic signed with the Los Angeles Rams. He was waived on August 29, 2023 and re-signed to the practice squad.

On January 16, 2024, Kalinic signed a reserve/future contract with the Rams. He was waived on August 27, and re-signed to the practice squad.

Atlanta Falcons On January 28, 2025, Kalinic signed a reserve/future contract with the Atlanta Falcons. He was waived on August 23.

Chicago Bears On August 28, 2025, Kalinic was signed to the Chicago Bears practice squad. On January 20, 2026, he signed a reserve/futures contract.

Personal life Kalinic is of Serbian descent.