Jonathan Owens Bio
Jonathan James Owens (born July 22, 1995) is an American professional football safety who currently plays in the National Football League (NFL). Standing 5 feet 11 inches tall and weighing 204 pounds, Owens has built his career as an undrafted player who earned his opportunities through special teams play and steady defensive contributions. He has suited up for the Arizona Cardinals, Houston Texans, Green Bay Packers, and Chicago Bears, establishing himself as a reliable depth defender in the secondary.
Beyond football, Jonathan Owens is widely known as the husband of American artistic gymnast Simone Biles, an 11-time Olympic medal winner and one of the most decorated athletes in gymnastics history. Their relationship has drawn national attention, and Owens has spoken openly about adjusting to public life alongside his wife. His journey from a small college program to a multi-team NFL career reflects persistence, patience, and consistent improvement at the professional level.
Early Life and Background
Jonathan Owens was born on July 22, 1995, in St. Louis, Missouri, where he grew up and developed his early love for football. He attended Loyola Academy of St. Louis for middle school before enrolling at Christian Brothers College High School, a well-known program in the St. Louis area. At Christian Brothers, Owens played under head coach Scott Pingel and steadily developed into a defensive prospect who could contribute on multiple levels of the defense.
During his high school career at Christian Brothers College High School, Owens earned recognition for his defensive play, including the team’s Linebacker of the Year award. That early recognition helped shape his confidence as a defensive player, even though his future in football would eventually move to the safety position. His growth at Christian Brothers laid the groundwork for his next step, and he eventually committed to continue his football career at Missouri Western State University.
Path to American Football
Owens redshirted during his first season at Missouri Western State University in 2013, using the year to adjust to the college level and refine his defensive skills. He then joined the Missouri Western Griffons as a defensive back, where he developed into a reliable contributor for the program. His college career was defined by steady progress rather than immediate stardom, and he worked to become a full-time starter in the Missouri Western secondary.
As a senior in 2017, Owens was named the Missouri Western State University Male Student-Athlete of the Year, a recognition that reflected both his performance on the field and his commitment in the classroom. He also earned second-team All-Mid-America Intercollegiate Athletics Association (MIAA) honors that season. Owens remained on the MIAA Academic Honor Roll throughout his college career while majoring in pre-physical therapy, a course of study that reflected his long-term interest in medicine alongside his football ambitions.
Jonathan Owens Career
Early Career (2018)
After going unselected in the 2018 NFL Draft, Jonathan Owens signed with the Arizona Cardinals as an undrafted free agent. His first professional opportunity came during organized team activities in the lead-up to the 2018 regular season, but an injury resulted in Owens being waived and placed on injured reserve for the remainder of the year. As a result, his rookie season ended before it truly began, and he returned to the Cardinals the following offseason.
Owens was again waived by the Cardinals on August 31, 2019, closing a brief first stint in the NFL. Despite the setback, the experience provided valuable exposure to an NFL environment and allowed Owens to refine his approach heading into his next opportunity. His persistence during this period ultimately paid off when another franchise gave him a chance to compete for a roster spot.
Houston Texans Era (2019–2022)
On September 30, 2019, Owens signed with the Houston Texans’ practice squad, beginning a multi-year association with the franchise. He was promoted to the active roster in November 2019 before being waived and re-signed to the practice squad days later. Owens then signed a reserve/future contract with the Texans in January 2020, securing his place with the organization heading into the next league year.
Owens continued to bounce between the practice squad and active roster in 2020, being elevated for games against the Jacksonville Jaguars and Tennessee Titans before being signed to the active roster in December 2020. The 2021 season brought his first real breakthrough, as he signed a two-year, $1.175 million contract extension that ran through the 2022 season. On December 26, 2021, Owens recorded his first career interception along with a fumble recovery in an upset win over the Los Angeles Chargers, a performance that highlighted his growing role in the Texans’ defense.
Green Bay Packers Era (2023)
Owens signed with the Green Bay Packers on May 12, 2023, beginning a new chapter in his career. His most memorable moment with Green Bay came on Thanksgiving Day against the Detroit Lions, when he scored his first career touchdown on a 27-yard fumble recovery in a 29–22 Packers victory. The play showcased his awareness and finishing ability in a key divisional matchup.
Chicago Bears Era (2024–2025)
On March 13, 2024, Owens signed a two-year contract with the Chicago Bears, joining a defense looking to add experienced depth at safety. In the 2024 season opener against the Tennessee Titans, Owens returned a blocked punt for the Bears’ first touchdown of the season in a 24–17 victory. Later that season, he recorded his second career interception, picking off San Francisco 49ers quarterback Brandon Allen in Week 14, marking his first interception since 2021.
Indianapolis Colts Era (2026–Present)
On March 17, 2026, Owens signed a one-year contract with the Indianapolis Colts, continuing his journeyman path through the NFL. The deal marked his fifth professional team and provided another fresh opportunity to compete for a defensive role.
Driving Style and Strengths
Owens is best known for his work on special teams, where his field awareness, pursuit speed, and finishing instincts have produced scoring plays such as a 27-yard fumble recovery touchdown and a blocked-punt return touchdown. As a safety, he has shown the ability to read quarterbacks and make plays on the ball, with multiple interceptions and pass deflections across his career. His longevity as an undrafted player reflects strong preparation and consistent special teams value.
Notable Events and Milestones
His first career interception and fumble recovery in 2021, his Thanksgiving fumble recovery touchdown in 2023, and his Week 14 interception in 2024 stand out as signature moments. His 2024 blocked-punt return touchdown in the Bears’ season opener also ranks among the most memorable plays of his career.
Jonathan Owens Career Stats
Through the 2025 NFL season, Jonathan Owens has recorded 295 total tackles, 2 sacks, 2 forced fumbles, 4 fumble recoveries, 10 pass deflections, and 2 interceptions. These figures reflect a player whose impact has often come through special teams and complementary defensive snaps rather than volume starting production. His statistical production has remained steady as he has moved between teams, and he has continued to contribute in multiple phases of the game.
Jonathan Owens Family
Family Background and Racing Lineage
Information about Jonathan Owens’ parents and broader family background is not publicly documented in the verified sources available.
Personal Life
Jonathan Owens became engaged to American artistic gymnast Simone Biles on February 15, 2022, and the couple married on April 22, 2023. Their relationship has drawn significant public attention, including a December 2023 appearance on The Pivot Podcast that generated widespread discussion online. In 2024, Owens was granted time off from Chicago Bears training camp to watch Biles compete at the 2024 Summer Olympics in Paris, where she added to her Olympic medal collection.
2025 Season Performance
During the 2025 NFL season, Jonathan Owens was in the second year of his contract with the Chicago Bears and continued to contribute on defense and special teams. His role remained tied to special teams impact, where his tackling and awareness in coverage have made him a consistent part of the Bears’ game-day plans. He also remained a steady depth option in the secondary, providing experience behind the starting safeties.
Owens finished the 2025 season with continued production in tackles, pass deflections, and special teams play, reinforcing the value that has carried him through four NFL organizations. The Indianapolis Colts signed him in March 2026, suggesting that his 2025 tape showed enough for a contending roster to invest in his services. His career trajectory entering 2026 reflects a player who has maximized every opportunity since arriving in the league as an undrafted free agent in 2018.
