If you have been following the NFL over the past few years, you have likely noticed one name popping up on the special teams leaderboard again and again: Kalif Raymond. Whether he is sprinting down the sideline on a 90-yard punt return or making a clutch third-down catch, Raymond has proven he belongs among the league’s elite playmakers. In this article, we break down everything fans want to know — from Kalif Raymond stats to his height, 40 time, contract, wife, parents, and ethnicity.
Raymond’s journey from an undrafted free agent to a two-time second-team All-Pro is one of the more inspiring stories in the modern NFL. Now, in 2026, he is embarking on a fresh chapter — and fans everywhere are eager to get caught up.
Who Is Kalif Raymond?
Kalif Raymond is a professional NFL wide receiver and return specialist born on August 8, 1994, in Lawrenceville, Georgia. He stands 5 feet 8 inches tall and weighs 180 pounds. After going undrafted out of Holy Cross in 2016, he signed with the Denver Broncos and has since played for the New York Jets, New York Giants, Tennessee Titans, and most recently the Detroit Lions, where he spent five productive seasons.
As of March 2026, Raymond has signed a one-year, $5.1 million deal with the Chicago Bears, reuniting him with head coach Ben Johnson — the former Lions offensive coordinator who helped elevate his game. He brings a decade of NFL experience, elite return ability, and proven slot receiver skills to a Bears offense built around young quarterback Caleb Williams.
Kalif Raymond Stats: A Career Built on Consistency and Explosiveness
Over his NFL career, Raymond has played in 112 games, accumulating 190 receptions for 2,554 receiving yards and 9 touchdowns. While those numbers look modest on paper, the context around them tells a much bigger story. Raymond has never been a featured starter — he has thrived as a trusted role player who elevates every unit he is part of.
2024 Season Stats (Detroit Lions)
In the 2024 season, Raymond played in 12 games due to a foot injury, posting 17 receptions for 215 yards and two touchdowns as a receiver. However, his standout performance came on special teams. He finished the year with 30 punt returns for 413 yards — leading the entire NFL in punt return yards — despite missing five games. He also recorded a jaw-dropping 90-yard punt return touchdown against the Tennessee Titans in a 52–14 Lions win, earning NFC Special Teams Player of the Week. These efforts earned him his second career second-team All-Pro selection.
2025 Season Stats (Detroit Lions)
In 2025, Raymond played 15 games and caught 24 passes for 289 yards and one touchdown. He also added 241 punt return yards and one punt return touchdown — a 65-yard score against the Cleveland Browns in Week 4. Though his receiving numbers dipped slightly from his peak years, his value as a return specialist and situational receiver remained high throughout the campaign.
Career Highlights Under Ben Johnson (2022–2024)
Raymond’s most productive stretch as a receiver came during the years Ben Johnson served as Detroit’s offensive coordinator. Over those three seasons, he totaled 147 receptions, 1,896 yards, and seven touchdowns. His best individual receiving campaign was 2022, when he recorded a career-high 616 receiving yards. That same season, he earned his first second-team All-Pro nod as a punt returner after scoring his first career punt-return touchdown — a 47-yarder against the Jets.
Kalif Raymond Height and 40 Time: Built for Speed
Kalif Raymond stands 5 feet 8 inches (173 cm) tall and weighs 180 pounds. His compact, low-to-the-ground build gives him exceptional burst and agility — perfect for navigating traffic as a return specialist or slot receiver.
His 40-yard dash time is 4.34 seconds, recorded at his pre-draft pro day in 2016. That puts him among the fastest wide receivers in the league and explains why he has been so effective in open space. His Relative Athletic Score (RAS) was 8.16 out of 10.0 — a strong mark that reflects elite speed despite never running at the official NFL Combine.
At his pro day, he also recorded a 10-yard split of 1.48 seconds and a Flying 20 (the final 20 yards of the 40) time of 1.84 seconds — translating to an estimated top speed of about 22.2 miles per hour during that stretch. These numbers were strong enough to earn him an NFL signing even as an undrafted prospect.
Kalif Raymond Contract: From Undrafted Journeyman to Valued Veteran
Raymond’s contract history reflects his steady climb from practice squad hopeful to respected NFL veteran. Here is a quick breakdown of his major deals:
2022: Signed a two-year, $9.5 million extension with the Detroit Lions.
2023: Extended again, signing a two-year deal worth approximately $14 million with $8.1 million in guaranteed money — making him one of the highest-paid punt returners in the league at the time.
2026: Signed a one-year, $5.1 million contract with the Chicago Bears as a free agent. The deal reunites him with head coach Ben Johnson, with whom he had his best receiving seasons in Detroit.
Raymond’s market value has remained strong because elite return specialists are rare and difficult to replace. His Bears contract reflects his standing as one of the best in the business at his craft.
Kalif Raymond Wife, Family, and Personal Life
Kalif Raymond Wife: Julia Baker Raymond
The question of Kalif Raymond’s wife comes up frequently among fans. Raymond married his college sweetheart, Julia Baker, on July 6, 2023, at the Renault Winery Resort in Egg Harbor City, New Jersey — a picturesque venue established in 1864, known for its scenic vineyards. The two became Instagram-official on January 28, 2015, and got engaged on September 2, 2022, before tying the knot the following year.
Julia Baker Raymond is Filipino-American, born on July 2, 1994. She and Kalif met while both attending the College of the Holy Cross in Worcester, Massachusetts — making theirs a genuine college sweethearts’ love story that has endured the many challenges of a journeyman NFL career.
Julia has maintained a relatively private presence, rarely stepping into the public spotlight. Raymond himself has spoken about the importance of having a stable, supportive partner through the uncertainty of an NFL career — and Julia has been exactly that throughout his journey.
Kalif Raymond Parents: Eric Raymond and Kim Ly
Raymond’s parents are Eric Raymond (African-American) and Kim Ly (of Chinese heritage). His mother’s family has a remarkable history — Kim Ly’s family emigrated from China to Vietnam during World War II and later made the journey to the United States during the Vietnam War, with Kim herself being nearly three years old during the harrowing boat voyage.
Kalif grew up in Lawrenceville, Georgia, with his brother Mason and two sisters, Sydea and Madison. His parents have been a constant presence at his games throughout his career — his mother Kim was spotted cheering him on in the stands as recently as October 2024. Raymond frequently credits his family as the foundation of his work ethic and drive.
Kalif Raymond Ethnicity
Kalif Raymond’s ethnicity is mixed — he is of African-American and Chinese descent, born and raised in the United States. During AAPI (Asian American and Pacific Islander) Heritage Month, the NFL has highlighted Raymond as a notable player of Asian descent, drawing comparisons to legendary receiver Hines Ward — another celebrated biracial NFL star. Raymond embraces both sides of his heritage and has spoken proudly about his multicultural background.
Kalif Raymond Dates Joined: A Full NFL Career Timeline
May 2016: Signed by the Denver Broncos as an undrafted free agent out of Holy Cross.
September 2017: Claimed off waivers by the New York Jets; later joined the New York Giants’ practice squad the same season.
December 2018: Signed to the Tennessee Titans’ practice squad; eventually earned a starting role by 2019.
March 25, 2021: Signed with the Detroit Lions, where he would find his most successful NFL home over five seasons.
March 18, 2022: Signed a two-year, $9.5 million contract extension with Detroit.
August 11, 2023: Signed another two-year extension worth approximately $14 million, committing through the 2025 season.
March 10, 2026: Agreed to a one-year, $5.1 million deal with the Chicago Bears, leaving Detroit after five seasons.
Raymond’s path through the league reflects exactly what it takes to stick around as an undrafted player — unmatched consistency, elite speed, and the ability to contribute in multiple ways every single week.
FAQ:
What are Kalif Raymond’s career receiving stats?
Over his 112-game NFL career through the 2025 season, Kalif Raymond has recorded 190 receptions for 2,554 receiving yards and 9 touchdowns. He has also been one of the league’s most productive return specialists, earning second-team All-Pro honors as a punt returner in both 2022 and 2024.
How tall is Kalif Raymond and how fast is he?
Kalif Raymond stands 5 feet 8 inches tall (173 cm) and weighs 180 pounds. He ran a 4.34-second 40-yard dash at his 2016 pro day, giving him elite speed among NFL wide receivers.
Who is Kalif Raymond’s wife?
Kalif Raymond’s wife is Julia Baker Raymond, a Filipino-American woman he met while both attended the College of the Holy Cross. They began dating in January 2015, got engaged in September 2022, and married on July 6, 2023, in Egg Harbor City, New Jersey.
What is Kalif Raymond’s ethnicity and background?
Kalif Raymond is of mixed ethnicity — his father, Eric Raymond, is African-American, and his mother, Kim Ly, is of Chinese heritage. He was born and raised in Lawrenceville, Georgia, and holds American nationality. The NFL has recognized him during AAPI Heritage Month for his Asian-American roots.
What team is Kalif Raymond on in 2026?
As of March 2026, Kalif Raymond has signed a one-year, $5.1 million deal with the Chicago Bears. He joins head coach Ben Johnson in Chicago after five seasons with the Detroit Lions.
Kalif Raymond’s Legacy and What Comes Next
Kalif Raymond’s story is one that every NFL fan can appreciate. He arrived in the league without a draft selection, bounced around five teams in his first five years, and then found his home in Detroit — where he became one of the most beloved players in the building. His two second-team All-Pro selections, his record-setting 2024 punt return season, and his steady receiving contributions made him a cornerstone of the Lions’ championship-contending identity.
Now at 31 years old, Raymond heads to Chicago armed with the experience of nearly a decade in the NFL, a deep connection with Ben Johnson’s offensive system, and the same elite speed that made teams notice him back in 2016. With Caleb Williams at quarterback and a hungry Bears team looking to build on their 2025 success, Raymond has a legitimate chance to contribute in meaningful ways for at least one more season.
Whether you are a Bears fan welcoming a new weapon or a Lions fan saying goodbye to a favorite, one thing is certain: Kalif Raymond has earned every opportunity he has ever received — and then some.
Want to keep up with the latest Kalif Raymond stats and news? Bookmark this page and check back regularly as the 2026 NFL season approaches. You can also follow Raymond directly on his official social media for personal updates and game-day highlights.
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