He played college football for the Arizona Wildcats, where he received first-team All-Pacific-10 honors, and was selected by the Dallas Cowboys in the sixth round of the 2007 NFL draft.

Folk was named to the 2008 Pro Bowl as a rookie with the Cowboys before playing his next seven seasons with the New York Jets and becoming the franchise's second-leading scorer.

Folk returned to the NFL the same year as a member of the New England Patriots and led the league in scoring during the 2021 season.

Folk was also captain of the soccer team and earned All-CIF Division, all-league, and All-Valley honors.

[3] He finished his college career after making 30-of-47 field goals, 79-of-81 extra points, and 96 punts for 4,242 yards (44.2 avg.

[7] Folk made the longest kick of his career to that point, a 53-yard game winner against the Buffalo Bills on Monday Night Football during his rookie season.

[12] Following the 2008 season, Folk discovered a problem with his hip that the Cowboys medical personnel diagnosed in his flexor, but it did not heal with the prescribed treatment.

[16] Although the Cowboys won the game, the team lost faith in Folk and he was waived on December 21, and was replaced by Shaun Suisham.

[13][20] On October 11, Folk became the first Jets kicker to kick five field goals in a home game since Pat Leahy achieved the feat in 1984.

[23] During the AFC Wild Card Round against the Indianapolis Colts on January 8, 2011, Folk kicked the game-winning field goal with only three seconds remaining in the 4th quarter,[24] helping the team make their second straight AFC Championship where they would end up losing to the Pittsburgh Steelers.

[25] During Week 1 on September 11, 2011, Folk kicked a 50-yard field goal with 27 seconds left to give the Jets a 27–24 victory over his former team, the Dallas Cowboys.

[29] In Week 5, Folk kicked the game-winning field goal as time expired in a 30–28 win at the Atlanta Falcons.

[30] During an AFC East rivalry game against the New England Patriots in Week 7, Folk kicked another gaming-winning field goal to give the Jets a 30–27 overtime victory.

[31] Folk's career-high and Jets record of 23 consecutive field goals made was snapped after missing from 48 yards during a 37–14 loss against the Bills.

Set to become a free agent during the 2014 offseason, it was announced on February 28, 2014, that the Jets had placed the franchise tag on Folk.

[36] Returning from a quad injury, Folk played all 16 games in the 2016 season, making 27 field goals out of 31 opportunities.

[38] On March 17, 2017, Folk was signed as a free agent by the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, to compete with the previous year's second-round draft choice Roberto Aguayo.

[53][54] The Patriots elevated Folk to the active roster ahead of their Week 1 game against the Miami Dolphins.

[61] After missing much of training camp due to an undisclosed injury, Folk was released during the final roster cuts and was signed to the practice squad the following day.

In Week 2 against the Jets, Folk gave the Patriots a 3–0 lead by making his 30th field goal in a row.

Late in the 4th quarter, during the game noted for the return of Tom Brady, the Patriots were trailing 17–19 when Folk attempted a 56-yard field goal in the pouring rain, which had plenty of distance but hit the upright.

[64] On October 13, 2021, Folk was named AFC Special Teams Player of the Week for his performance in the Patriots' 25–22 win over the Houston Texans.

[74] On August 29, 2023, Folk was traded from the Patriots to the Tennessee Titans in exchange for a 2025 seventh-round draft pick.

[80] In Week 9, Folk kicked a 25-yard field goal in overtime to seal the Titans' 20–17 win over the Patriots.

[13] Nick Folk and his younger brothers, Erik and Gregory, are dual citizens of the United States and Germany, where his father grew up.

[86] He is an avid soccer fan, attends New York Red Bulls games when in the area, and is a member of the Viking Army Supporters Club.