Justin Jones Bio
Justin Maurice Jones is an American professional football nose tackle who has competed in the National Football League (NFL). Born on August 28, 1996, in the Bronx, New York, he played college football at North Carolina State before launching his professional career. Jones was selected in the third round of the 2018 NFL draft by the Los Angeles Chargers and has since suited up for the Chicago Bears and the Arizona Cardinals. Listed at 6 feet 3 inches and 300 pounds, he has built a reputation as a steady interior defender with experience on multiple defensive fronts.
Early Life and Background
Justin Maurice Jones was born and raised in the Bronx, New York, a borough long associated with tough, physical football traditions. While his hometown sits in one of the country’s most recognizable urban centers, Jones completed his high school career well outside the city, attending South Cobb High School in Austell, Georgia. The move south helped shape his development as a lineman, exposing him to a different style of football and broadening his athletic foundation.
At South Cobb, Jones emerged as a promising defensive prospect, using his frame and quickness to draw college-level attention. He earned the opportunity to continue his career at the collegiate level, committing to North Carolina State, where he would spend the next several years refining his technique. His upbringing, split between New York roots and Georgia schooling, gave him a balanced perspective as he prepared for the next step.
Path to American Football
Jones enrolled at North Carolina State and suited up for the Wolfpack from 2014 through 2017, working his way into a prominent role on the defensive line. Over four college seasons, he developed the strength and conditioning needed to project as a future professional, while also showing the kind of motor and leverage that scouts tend to value in interior linemen. By the end of his senior year, he had positioned himself as one of the top defensive tackle prospects in his class.
Following his senior campaign, Jones received an invitation to the 2018 Reese’s Senior Bowl, where he joined the South squad coached by Denver Broncos head coach Vance Joseph. He impressed evaluators with his agility during practices, and his stock rose heading into the spring evaluation period. He then attended the NFL Scouting Combine in Indianapolis, where he completed the full set of drills and confirmed his athletic profile, helping his draft projection climb from a possible fifth or sixth-round pick into the early third round.
Justin Jones Career
Early Career (2018–2021)
The Los Angeles Chargers selected Jones in the third round, 84th overall, of the 2018 NFL draft, making him the eighth defensive tackle taken that year. On May 13, 2018, the Chargers signed him to a four-year, $3.62 million contract that included a signing bonus of $854,140. Jones immediately contributed on the defensive interior, using his leverage and quickness to clog running lanes and pressure opposing quarterbacks.
His first stint in Los Angeles was marked by steady play, though injuries occasionally interrupted his momentum. On September 26, 2020, Jones was placed on injured reserve with a shoulder injury before being activated on October 24. A similar situation arose the following year when he was placed on injured reserve on October 4, 2021, and returned to action on October 30. Through it all, he remained a dependable piece of the Chargers’ defensive line rotation.
Chicago Bears Era (2022–2023)
On March 18, 2022, Jones signed a two-year, $12 million deal with the Chicago Bears, opening a new chapter in his career. He stepped into a starting role along the Bears’ defensive front and provided veteran presence and physicality in the trenches. His production helped anchor a run defense that relied on gap discipline and forceful play at the point of attack.
Beyond his on-field contributions, Jones earned recognition for his work in the community. On December 5, 2023, he was named the Bears’ nominee for the 2023 Walter Payton Man of the Year Award, an honor that highlights a player’s charitable efforts and civic leadership. The recognition underscored his growth as both a player and a presence in the locker room during his time in Chicago.
Arizona Cardinals Era (2024–2025)
On March 14, 2024, Jones signed a three-year, $30.1 million contract with the Arizona Cardinals, a deal that reflected the confidence the franchise had in his abilities. Through the early portion of the 2024 season, he was productive in a limited sample, logging four combined tackles and one fumble recovery in three games while serving as a contributor on the defensive line.
His Arizona tenure, however, was cut short by injury. During the Cardinals’ Week 3 game against the Detroit Lions, Jones suffered a torn triceps that ended his 2024 campaign. After working through recovery, he was waived by the team on November 17, 2025, closing out his Cardinals chapter.
Driving Style and Strengths
Jones has built his reputation on quickness off the snap, strong hands, and the leverage needed to win inside against double teams. He projects best as a gap-shooting nose tackle who can disrupt plays in the backfield while still holding up against the run. His combination of college polish, Senior Bowl experience, and multi-team track record has made him a reliable interior presence wherever he has lined up.
Notable Events and Milestones
Among the defining moments of Jones’ career are his third-round selection in the 2018 NFL draft, his Senior Bowl appearance, and his Walter Payton Man of the Year nomination from the Bears in 2023. Through the 2024 season, he had accumulated 223 total tackles, 12 sacks, one forced fumble, three fumble recoveries, and 10 pass deflections across his professional tenure.
Justin Jones Career Wins
While nose tackles are rarely measured by traditional win totals, Jones has consistently delivered productive seasons across three NFL franchises. His career has been defined more by durability, versatility, and the ability to impact both the run and pass games from the interior.
Professional Highlights
Jones’ top professional moments include his rookie contract with the Chargers, his lucrative second contract with the Bears, and his largest deal to date with the Arizona Cardinals in 2024. He has appeared in regular-season action every year since 2018, aside from injury-shortened stretches in 2020, 2021, and 2024.
Other Performances
Beyond his team statistics, Jones earned a spot in the 2018 Reese’s Senior Bowl, an important showcase that helped launch his draft stock. His Walter Payton Man of the Year nomination with the Bears further highlighted his standing as a respected figure in the locker room and the broader football community.
Justin Jones Family
Family Background and Racing Lineage
Public information about Jones’ family background is limited, and detailed records about his parents and immediate relatives have not been widely published. What is clear is that he grew up in the Bronx before moving to Georgia for his high school years, a transition that played a meaningful role in his athletic development.
Personal Life
Jones tends to keep his personal life private, and confirmed details about a spouse or children are not publicly available through verified sources. His professional social media presence, including an Instagram account under the handle twenty7savage, offers fans occasional glimpses into his life off the field.
2025 Season Performance
The 2025 season marked a difficult chapter for Jones, as he worked his way back from the torn triceps suffered in Week 3 of the 2024 campaign. His recovery timeline and return to game action were closely watched by fans and analysts tracking the Cardinals’ defensive line rotation.
Despite his efforts to return to the field, Jones was waived by the Arizona Cardinals on November 17, 2025, ending his time with the franchise. The decision opened the door for him to consider his next professional opportunity as the league moved through the second half of the season.
Looking ahead, Jones remains an experienced interior defender with multiple seasons of starting experience and a strong resume of community recognition. Whether he lands with another club for the stretch run or waits for the next league year, his proven track record across three organizations suggests he still has the tools to contribute at the NFL level.