Jonah Jackson Bio
Jonah Jackson (born February 5, 1997) is an American professional football guard for the Chicago Bears of the National Football League (NFL). He played college football for the Ohio State Buckeyes and the Rutgers Scarlet Knights and has previously played for the Detroit Lions and the Los Angeles Rams. A third-round NFL draft pick, Jackson has been a full-time starter since entering the league and earned a Pro Bowl selection early in his career.
Early Life and Background
Jackson grew up in Media, Pennsylvania, the same Philadelphia-area community where he would later attend high school. He began playing football at a young age with the Rose Tree Colts, a local youth program that introduced him to the sport. He continued playing organized football through his teen years and developed into a respected high school prospect.
Jackson attended Penncrest High School in Media, Pennsylvania, where he played on the offensive line. As a senior, he was recognized for his play with first-team All-Central Athletic League and first-team All-Delaware County honors. His performance at Penncrest helped him earn a scholarship to continue his football career at the college level.
Path to American Football
Jackson began his collegiate career at Rutgers University, where he spent his first four seasons. He redshirted his true freshman year and then appeared in all 12 games during his next season, working primarily on the field goal protection unit. As a redshirt sophomore, he moved to center and started five of six games before a season-ending injury cut his year short.
Healthy again as a redshirt junior, Jackson started 11 games at right guard and earned honorable mention All-Big Ten Conference recognition. After the season, he announced his decision to leave Rutgers as a graduate transfer, eventually choosing Ohio State after also visiting Oklahoma. He finished his college career as a starter at left guard for the Buckeyes and was named first-team All-Big Ten in 2019.
Jonah Jackson Career
Early Career (2020–2021)
Jackson was selected in the third round, 75th overall, by the Detroit Lions in the 2020 NFL draft. On June 24, 2020, the Lions signed him to a four-year rookie contract, and he was named the team’s starting right guard heading into his first training camp. He made his NFL debut on September 13, 2020, against the Chicago Bears, starting at right guard and playing 90 percent of the Lions’ offensive snaps.
Through his first two seasons in the league, Jackson started 32 of a possible 33 games and became a reliable presence on Detroit’s offensive line. He missed one game during that span with a back injury, sitting out the Lions’ Week 15 matchup against the Arizona Cardinals. His quick development as a rookie starter set the stage for league-wide recognition the following year.
Detroit Lions Tenure (2020–2023)
Jackson served as Detroit’s starting right guard for the majority of his four years with the franchise, pairing durability with steady play. He started every game he was available for and quickly earned the trust of the Lions’ coaching staff. His consistency helped anchor a young Detroit offensive line that was being rebuilt around a new identity.
In January 2022, Jackson was selected to play in the Pro Bowl as an injury replacement, capping a strong second NFL season. The honor confirmed his status as one of the rising interior linemen in the league. He continued to start for the Lions through the 2023 season, finishing his Detroit tenure as a full-time starter.
Los Angeles Rams Era (2024)
On March 14, 2024, Jackson signed a three-year, $51 million contract with the Los Angeles Rams, beginning a new chapter in his career. The Rams named him the starting center in Week 1, marking his first career snaps at the position after playing guard throughout his time in Detroit.
His Rams debut season was disrupted by injury. Jackson fractured his scapula in Week 2 and was placed on injured reserve on September 18, 2024. He was activated on November 11, 2024, and returned to the field to finish the year. Despite the setback, the contract reflected his value as a versatile interior lineman.
Chicago Bears Era (2025–Present)
On March 12, 2025, Jackson was traded to the Chicago Bears in exchange for a sixth-round pick in the 2025 NFL draft via Houston. The following day, he and the Bears agreed to a one-year, $12.25 million contract extension, locking him in as a key piece of Chicago’s offensive line. He joined a Bears team in the midst of a roster overhaul and was expected to step into a starting role.
Through his career in the NFL, Jackson has played in 78 games and started all 78 of them, a testament to his durability when healthy. His move to Chicago gave him an opportunity to compete for postseason contention while reuniting him with a familiar NFC North opponent. The Bears era represents a chance to add new achievements to a resume that already includes a Pro Bowl nod.
Notable Events and Milestones
Jackson’s 2022 Pro Bowl selection as an injury replacement stands as one of the defining honors of his early career. He has started every NFL game he has played in, a streak that highlights his consistency and importance to his teams. The trade to Chicago in March 2025 marked another major milestone, giving him a new home in the NFC North after spending his first four seasons there with Detroit.
Jonah Jackson Career Wins
As an interior offensive lineman, Jonah Jackson’s career is measured less by individual game victories and more by sustained starting contributions and postseason recognition. Across his time with the Detroit Lions, Los Angeles Rams, and Chicago Bears, he has been a full-time starter wherever he has lined up. His Pro Bowl selection in 2021 remains the most visible individual award of his professional career.
Detroit Lions Highlights
Jackson started at right guard for the Detroit Lions from 2020 through 2023, missing only one game across his first two seasons. His first NFL start came in the 2020 season opener against the Chicago Bears, and he went on to play 90 percent of the offensive snaps in that debut. The Pro Bowl nod in 2021 was the highlight of his Lions tenure, validating his growth as a pro.
Other Wins and Performances
At the college level, Jackson earned first-team All-Big Ten honors in 2019 at Ohio State after starting the entire season at left guard. He also received honorable mention All-Big Ten recognition during his redshirt junior year at Rutgers. His senior high school honors included first-team All-Central Athletic League and first-team All-Delaware County selections at Penncrest.
Jonah Jackson Family
Family Background and Racing Lineage
Jackson grew up in Media, Pennsylvania, and developed his early football skills with the Rose Tree Colts, a local youth organization. His roots in the Philadelphia area helped shape his path through Penncrest High School and on to a collegiate career in the Big Ten Conference.
Personal Life
Jackson stands 6 feet 3 inches tall and has played at around 319 pounds during his NFL career. He is active on social media, where fans can follow his professional updates.
2025 Season Performance
Jackson’s 2025 season is defined by his move to Chicago after being traded from the Rams. The Bears handed him a one-year, $12.25 million contract extension shortly after acquiring him, signaling a clear plan to feature him on the offensive line. He joined a roster that was being retooled to compete in the NFC North.
His role with the Bears gives the team an experienced interior lineman capable of playing both guard and center. That versatility traces back to his 2024 season with the Rams, when he made his first career starts at center. Chicago’s investment in him suggests he will be a central figure on the offensive line as the season progresses.
With 78 career games and 78 career starts already on his ledger, Jackson entered 2025 with a reputation for durability whenever healthy. The Bears era offers him a new opportunity to build on a resume that already includes a Pro Bowl selection and an All-Big Ten honor from his final college season.
