Firkser was a multi-sport athlete at Manalapan High School.[5] In basketball, Firkser played point guard, scoring 21.3 points with 7.6 assists per game. He finished his career second in school history with 1,362 points. In his senior year, the Shore Basketball Coaches named Firkser the Shore Conference Co-Player of the Year. He was also named the Shore Conference ‘A’ North Division Offensive Player of the Year and made the all-state team.
He competed at the 2013 Maccabiah Games in Israel as a guard for the 18-and-under gold medal-winning Team USA basketball team. On the team, he played alongside Spencer Weisz.[2][4][6]
Firkser did not begin playing football until his sophomore year in high school. During Firkser's three-year high school career, the Manalapan football team went 30–6 and won three consecutive ‘A’ North Division titles. During one stretch, Manalapan had an 18-game winning streak within the division. After a semifinal visit in the state playoffs his sophomore year, Firkser and his teammates played for the NJSIAA Central Jersey title in his junior and senior years. While at Manalapan, Firkser set career school records in receptions (110), receiving yards (2,118) and touchdown receptions (19). After his senior year, he was named All-Shore Offensive Player of the Year as a senior wide receiver. Firkser also was a two-time All-Shore first-team selection.[7]
College career
Firkser was recruited by Harvard University and four other universities. Citing the university's academic program and the school's willingness to let him play both basketball and football, Firkser committed to play for coach Tim Murphy at Harvard on October 17, 2012.[8]
Firkser saw his first collegiate action in 2014 as a sophomore. He appeared in 10 games for Harvard and made 32 catches for 485 yards. His four touchdown receptions tied for first on the team and he ranked second on the team in both catches and yards. After the season, Firkser was named to the All-Ivy League second-team. Firkser started nine games and caught 22 passes for 372 yards and three touchdowns in 2015 as a junior. For the second consecutive season, he was named to the All-Ivy League second-team. As a senior in 2016, Firkser started all 10 games for Harvard and made 45 receptions for 702 yards and seven touchdowns. He was named to the All-Ivy League first-team.[9]
At the end of his collegiate career, Firkser ranked 12th all-time in school history in receptions, ninth all-time in receiving yards, and sixth all-time in touchdown receptions. He graduated from Harvard in 2017 with a degree in applied mathematics. During the 2018 offseason, Firkser participated in actuarial credential exams in hopes of potentially pursuing a post-football career as an actuary.[1]
Coming into the 2017 NFL draft, scouting reports projected Firkser to best fit with a National Football League (NFL) team in a role of a fullback/tight end hybrid player. Scouts believed Firkser was tough, intelligent, and relatively athletic. Scouts also praised him for his ability to quickly get into pass routes and adjust to errant throws. However, scouts negatively viewed him as possessing just average size and questioned his strength as a blocker.[10]
On March 19, 2017, Firkser participated in the Harvard Pro Day, an event at which Harvard football players demonstrate their skills to an audience of NFL scouts and coaches. Nearly half of the NFL teams attended this event.[11]
Firkser signed with the New York Jets as an undrafted free agent on May 5, 2017.[13] He was waived by the Jets on September 2, 2017.[14]
Kansas City Chiefs (first stint)
On November 29, 2017, Firkser was signed to the practice squad of the Kansas City Chiefs.[15] He signed a reserve/future contract with the Chiefs on January 8, 2018.[16] He was waived on April 30, 2018.[17]
In the preseason, Firkser was second on the team in both receptions (10) and receiving yards (108). On September 1, 2018, he was named to the Titans' initial 53-man roster.[19] He was waived by the Titans on September 17, and was re-signed to the practice squad the next day.[20][21] He was promoted to the active roster on October 8.[22] During Week 6, Firkser caught his first NFL reception in a 21–0 shoutout loss to the Baltimore Ravens.[23] During a Week 13 26–22 victory over the Jets, Firkser scored his first NFL career touchdown on a 12-yard reception from Marcus Mariota.[24]
Firkser finished the 2018 season with 19 receptions for 225 yards and a touchdown.[25]
2019 season
Firkser began the season as one of four tight ends on the Titans' opening day roster along with veterans Delanie Walker, Jonnu Smith, and MyCole Pruitt. For the first six weeks of the regular season, Firkser played sparingly and was even a healthy inactive in Week 4. During that six-week span, he caught just one pass for 25 yards. After Walker was later placed on injured reserve,[26] Firkser played a larger role in the Titans offense. During Week 10 against the Chiefs, he caught three receptions for 36 yards and his only touchdown of the regular season as the Titans won by a score of 35–32.[27]
Firkser finished the 2019 season with 14 receptions for 204 yards and a touchdown.[28] Ironically, Firkser's first two career touchdowns were against the Jets and Chiefs – the two teams that had previously waived him.
The Titans finished the regular season with a 9–7 record and were the sixth seed in the AFC playoffs. Firkser played his first postseason game on January 4, 2020, against the defending Super Bowl champions, the New England Patriots. In that game, he caught two passes for 23 yards and a touchdown in the Titans' 20–13 upset road victory in the Wild Card Round. With the touchdown, Firkser became the first player from Harvard to score a touchdown in an NFL postseason game.[29] Firkser's final reception of the season was also the final touchdown of the Titans' 2019 season. He caught a 22-yard touchdown pass in the fourth quarter of the AFC Championship in a 35–24 road loss to the Chiefs.[30]
2020 season
On February 13, 2020, Firkser signed a one-year extension with the Titans.[31][32]
During Week 6, Firkser recorded his first career 100-yard receiving game in a 42–36 overtime victory against the Houston Texans. Firkser finished the game catching eight of nine targets from Ryan Tannehill for 113 yards, and added a touchdown in the first quarter.[33]
Firkser finished the 2020 season with 39 receptions for 387 yards and a touchdown.[34] In the Wild Card Round of the playoffs, he caught two passes for 44 yards in a 20–13 loss to the Ravens.[35]
On March 17, 2021, Firkser re-signed with the Titans on a one-year deal.[36]
During Week 11 against the Texans, Firkser scored his first touchdown of the season when he recovered a fumble in the end zone. He finished the 22–13 loss with five receptions for 26 yards and the aforementioned touchdown.[37] During a Week 17 34–3 victory over the Miami Dolphins, Firkser caught three passes for 24 yards and his first receiving touchdown of the season.[38] In the regular-season finale against the Texans, Firkser had four receptions for 56 yards and a touchdown in the 28–25 road victory.[39]
Firkser finished the 2021 season with 34 receptions for 291 yards and two touchdowns.[40]
Atlanta Falcons
On April 12, 2022, Firkser signed a one-year deal with the Atlanta Falcons.[41] He was released on August 30.[42] He was signed to the practice squad the next day.[43] He was promoted to the active roster on September 13.[44] In the 2022 season, he appeared in 11 games and started one. He had nine receptions for 100 yards.[45]
New England Patriots
On May 25, 2023, Firkser signed with the Patriots.[46] He was released on August 29, 2023.[47]
Detroit Lions
On October 10, 2023, the Detroit Lions signed Firkser to their practice squad.[48] He was promoted to the active roster on December 30. Firkser was released on January 4, 2024 and re-signed to the practice squad, but promoted back on January 13.[49]
New York Jets (second stint)
On July 30, 2024, Firkser signed with the New York Jets.[50] He was released on August 27, and re-signed to the practice squad.[51][52] He was promoted to the active roster on October 19.[53] On October 31, the Jets released him.[54]
Kansas City Chiefs (second stint)
On November 2, 2024, Firkser was signed to the Kansas City Chiefs practice squad.
