Matthias Farley (born July 15, 1992) is an American football safety for the New York Jets of the National Football League (NFL). He played college football at Notre Dame. Farley was signed by the Arizona Cardinals as an undrafted free agent in 2016.^[1]

Farley played in 52 games (26 starts) in four seasons at Notre Dame and recorded 192 tackles, 9.5 tackles for loss, 3.5 sacks, 8 interceptions, 13 passes defensed and one forced fumble. He began his collegiate career as a wide receiver and redshirted in 2011. He moved to safety in 2012 and started a career-high 11-of-13 games in his first year on defense as he finished with 49 tackles, 2.0 tackles for loss and one interception. He helped Notre Dame finish the regular season 12-0 and earn a spot in the BCS National Championship Game. Played in 13 games (eight starts) in 2013 and recorded 49 tackles, two interceptions and five passes defensed. Competed in 13 games (four starts) in 2014 and set career highs with 53 tackles, 6.5 tackles for loss, 3.5 sacks, four interceptions and five passes defensed. His four interceptions tied for the team lead and he ranked second on the team in sacks. Appeared in 13 games (three starts) as a senior in 2015 and collected 41 tackles, one forced fumble, one interception and two passes defensed.

On April 30, 2016, the Arizona Cardinals signed Farley to a three-year, $1.62 million contract after he went undrafted in the 2016 NFL Draft.^[3][4]

Throughout training camp, Farley competed for a roster spot as a backup safety and special teams contributor against Chris Clemons, Marqui Christian, Durell Eskridge, and Tyrequek Zimmerman.^[5] On September 3, 2016, the Cardinals waived Farley as part of final roster cuts.^[6]

On September 4, 2016, the Indianapolis Colts claimed Farley off of waivers.^[7] Upon joining the team, head coach Chuck Pagano named him the third free safety on the Colts' depth chart, behind Clayton Geathers and T. J. Green.^[8]

He made his professional regular season debut in the Indianapolis Colts' season-opening 39–35 loss to the Detroit Lions.^[9] The following week, Farley recorded two solo tackles during a 34–20 loss at the Denver Broncos in Week 2.^[9] He made his first career tackle on running back C. J. Anderson in the fourth quarter after Anderson caught a six-yard pass.^[10] On January 1, 2017, Farley tied his season-high of two solo tackles in the Colts' 24–20 victory against the Jacksonville Jaguars.^[9] He finished his rookie season in 2016 with 11 combined tackles (eight solo) in 16 games and zero starts.^[11]

During organized team activities and training camp, he competed for a job as a backup safety against T. J. Green, Andrew Williamson, Tyvis Powell, Lee Hightower, and Tyson Graham.^[12] He became the frontrunner for the role of starting strong safety after rookie first round pick Malik Hooker sustained numerous injuries throughout OTA's and training camp.^[13] Defensive coordinator Ted Monachino named Farley the starting strong safety to begin the regular season, along with free safety Darius Butler.^[14]

He made his first career start in the Indianapolis Colts' season-opener against the Los Angeles Rams and recorded ten combined tackles (eight solo) in their 46–9 loss.^[15] On October 1, 2017, Farley made ten combined tackles (four solo), a pass deflection, and made his first career interception off a pass by quarterback Russell Wilson in the Colts' 46–18 loss at the Seattle Seahawks in Week 4.^[16] In Week 14, Farley recorded nine combined tackles, broke up a pass, and intercepted a pass by quarterback Joe Webb during a 13–7 loss at the Buffalo Bills.^[17] The following week, he collected a career-high 11 combined tackles (three solo) in the Colts' 25–13 loss to the Denver Broncos.^[16] Farley finished the 2017 season with 98 combined tackles (60 solo), seven pass deflections, and two interceptions in 16 games and 15 starts.^[11] Pro Football Focus gave Farley an overall grade of 82.2, ranking 24th among all qualified safeties in 2017.^[18]

In 2018, Farley was named the backup strong safety behind Clayton Geathers. He played in five games with one start before being placed on injured reserve on October 12, 2018 with shoulder, groin, and wrist injuries.^[19]

On August 26, 2019, Farley was released by the Colts.^[20]

On August 30, 2019, Farley signed with the New York Jets.^[21]

Farley was raised by his parents, Mark and Falinda Farley, and has four brothers and two sisters named Timon, Nathan, Charis, Kenan, Joy and Silas. He does charity work, kayaks, and plays the ukelele and kazoo. He also has two German shorthaired pointers named Harper and Loki and takes them bird hunting.^[22]