Quinton Jefferson Bio
Quinton Jefferson is an American professional football defensive tackle who was born on March 31, 1993, in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. He was selected by the Seattle Seahawks in the fifth round of the 2016 NFL Draft after playing college football at the University of Maryland. Jefferson has had multiple stints with several teams in the NFL, including the Seahawks, Rams, Bills, Raiders, Jets, and Browns, showcasing his versatility as a defensive lineman. As of 2025, he is a member of the Detroit Lions.
Early Life and Background
Quinton Jefferson was born to Larry Jefferson and Bahiyyah Jefferson in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. He grew up in the Pittsburgh area and attended Woodland Hills High School in Churchill, Pennsylvania, where he played both football and basketball. The Pittsburgh area has long been a hotbed for football talent, and Jefferson’s early athletic experience helped shape his path toward the sport.
Jefferson developed into a promising defensive prospect during his high school years, drawing attention from college recruiters. He was regarded as a strong, athletic defensive lineman with the size and quickness to play on the interior of the defensive line. His combination of physical tools and on-field production helped him earn a scholarship to play in a major college football conference.
Off the field, Jefferson came from a close-knit family that supported his athletic ambitions. His parents, Larry and Bahiyyah, provided a stable upbringing in Pittsburgh, a region known for producing tough, hard-nosed football players. This foundation helped him transition smoothly into the demands of high-level college football.
Path to American Football
Quinton Jefferson verbally committed to the University of Maryland on January 24, 2011, and officially signed with the program on February 2, 2011. He chose Maryland over other suitors and quickly began developing within the Terrapins defensive line. He played all four years with the Terrapins, appearing in 37 games across his college career.
During his time at Maryland, Jefferson steadily grew into a reliable interior defender. In the 2015 season, he produced 12.5 tackles for loss, 6.5 sacks, one interception, one pass defended, one forced fumble, and one fumble recovery. His senior production demonstrated the kind of disruption at the line of scrimmage that NFL scouts look for in a defensive tackle prospect.
Jefferson also excelled in the classroom at Maryland, graduating in December 2015 with a degree in family science. That academic achievement reflected his commitment to life beyond football. Following his senior season, he declared for the 2016 NFL Draft and was selected in the fifth round with the 147th overall pick by the Seattle Seahawks. The Seahawks traded up to grab him, sending a fourth-round pick in 2017 and a seventh-round pick to the New England Patriots to move up to the 147th slot.
Quinton Jefferson Career
Early Career (2016-2017)
Jefferson signed his rookie contract with the Seattle Seahawks on May 6, 2016. He appeared in three games as a rookie before a knee injury landed him on injured reserve on October 25, 2016. The Seahawks waived him on September 2, 2017, beginning a turbulent stretch of team changes that defined his early professional years.
The Los Angeles Rams claimed Jefferson off waivers on September 3, 2017, but he was inactive for Week 1 and waived shortly after. He was re-signed to the Rams’ practice squad, and on October 2, 2017, the Seahawks brought him back. In his first extended action back in Seattle, he appeared in six games and recorded one sack, including a notable Week 14 incident in which he was ejected after a scuffle with the Jacksonville Jaguars and briefly tried to climb into the stands before being restrained.
Seattle Seahawks Breakthrough (2018-2019)
Jefferson’s second stint with the Seahawks marked the true beginning of his development as a starting-caliber defensive tackle. In the 2018 season, he played all 16 games with 12 starts, recording three sacks, 25 total tackles (15 solo), two passes defended, and one fumble recovery. His reliability on early downs gave Seattle a consistent interior presence.
In 2019, Jefferson opened the season with a strong performance against the Cincinnati Bengals, recording six tackles and two sacks on Andy Dalton in a 21-20 win. He appeared in 14 games with 12 starts, finishing the year with 3.5 sacks, 26 total tackles, three passes defended, and one fumble recovery. He added two more sacks in the Seahawks’ Wild Card Round victory over the Philadelphia Eagles, solidifying his role as a disruptive playoff performer.
Buffalo Bills and Las Vegas Raiders Era (2020-2021)
On March 26, 2020, Jefferson signed a two-year contract with the Buffalo Bills, opening a new chapter in his career. In Week 4 against the Las Vegas Raiders, he recorded his first career forced fumble on a strip sack of Derek Carr, which he also recovered, during a 30-23 win. He appeared in all 16 games with four starts, finishing the season with three sacks, 23 total tackles, one pass defended, one forced fumble, and one fumble recovery. The Bills released him on March 10, 2021.
Jefferson signed a one-year deal with the Las Vegas Raiders on March 17, 2021, and quickly became a full-time starter. He started all 17 games in 2021, posting a career-best 4.5 sacks, 47 total tackles, one pass defended, and two forced fumbles. He also recorded a sack in the Raiders’ Wild Card Round loss to the Cincinnati Bengals, showing his ability to contribute in high-stakes postseason play.
Return to Seattle and Jets Era (2022-2023)
Jefferson returned to the Seattle Seahawks on March 21, 2022, beginning his third stint with the team. He played in 17 games with three starts, recording 29 tackles, two passes defended, and a career-high 5.5 sacks. The Seahawks released him on March 14, 2023, as they reshaped their defensive line.
On April 7, 2023, Jefferson signed with the New York Jets, where he was named a starting defensive tackle. He started 14 games and recorded 34 tackles along with a career-high six sacks, giving him his most productive pass-rushing season to date. His play in New York reinforced his reputation as a dependable interior rusher.
Browns, Bills Return, and Detroit Lions (2024-2025)
On March 19, 2024, Jefferson signed a one-year deal with the Cleveland Browns. He was released on November 5, 2024, and signed with the Buffalo Bills the next day for the remainder of the 2024 season. The midseason move allowed him to rejoin a Bills defensive line where he had previously found success.
On September 24, 2025, Jefferson signed with the Detroit Lions’ practice squad, and he was elevated to the active roster on October 11, 2025. He was released by the Lions on November 25, 2025. Through all of his team changes, Jefferson has continued to provide veteran depth and interior pressure.
Driving Style and Strengths
Quinton Jefferson is known for his combination of size, leverage, and quickness at the defensive tackle position. Standing 6 foot 4 and weighing 291 pounds, he uses his length and strong base to hold up against the run while flashing the burst to pressure quarterbacks. He has shown the ability to play across multiple techniques on the defensive line, and his experience in varied schemes has made him a reliable rotational piece.
Notable Events and Milestones
One of the most memorable moments of Jefferson’s career came in the 2019 Wild Card Round, when he recorded two sacks in a victory over the Philadelphia Eagles. He also posted a career-high six sacks during the 2023 season with the Jets. In 2020, he recorded his first career forced fumble on a strip sack of Derek Carr, a play that underscored his knack for creating turnovers. His career totals include 206 tackles, 28.5 sacks, four forced fumbles, four fumble recoveries, and nine pass deflections.
Quinton Jefferson Career Wins
Quinton Jefferson has notched a number of team victories across his stops with the Seattle Seahawks, Buffalo Bills, Las Vegas Raiders, and Detroit Lions. While he is a defensive player whose contributions are measured in pressures, sacks, and stops rather than win totals, he has been part of several playoff pushes and postseason appearances, including the 2019 Wild Card win over the Eagles and the 2021 Wild Card run with the Raiders.
NFL Career Highlights
Jefferson’s NFL career includes 28.5 career sacks and 206 total tackles as of the 2025 season. His most productive sack seasons came in 2023 with the Jets, when he posted six sacks, and in 2022 with the Seahawks, when he set a then-career-high with 5.5 sacks. He has also contributed four forced fumbles and four fumble recoveries, showing a consistent ability to impact the football.
Jefferson made the postseason with the Seahawks in 2019 and with the Raiders in 2021, recording sacks in both Wild Card appearances. His first career forced fumble came on a strip sack of Derek Carr in 2020, and he followed it with two more forced fumbles in 2021 with the Raiders. Throughout his career, he has been valued for his veteran presence and steady production along the defensive line.
Other Wins and Performances
Beyond his NFL accomplishments, Jefferson earned All-ACC honorable mention recognition during his senior season at Maryland, capping a college career that included 37 games played. His reliability as a multi-year starter in college laid the groundwork for his lengthy professional career.
Quinton Jefferson Family
Family Background and Racing Lineage
Quinton Jefferson was raised by his parents, Larry Jefferson and Bahiyyah Jefferson, in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. The family supported his athletic development from an early age, and he grew up in a region with a strong football tradition. Pittsburgh’s football culture helped shape his tough, physical approach to the game.
Personal Life
Quinton Jefferson is married to Nadia Jefferson. The couple has four children, with the oldest three being daughters, the youngest two of whom are twins, and the youngest child being a boy. He graduated from the University of Maryland in December 2015 with a degree in family science, a field of study that reflects his interest in family life off the field.
2025 Season Performance
Quinton Jefferson’s 2025 season began without a team, but he signed with the Detroit Lions’ practice squad on September 24, 2025, before being elevated to the active roster on October 11, 2025. His release by the Lions on November 25, 2025, brought an early close to his time in Detroit.
Across the 2025 campaign, Jefferson continued to provide veteran depth on the interior defensive line whenever he was on an active roster. He added to his career totals of 206 tackles, 28.5 sacks, four forced fumbles, four fumble recoveries, and nine pass deflections. His ability to step into a rotation and produce quickly has remained his calling card late in his career.
Looking ahead, Jefferson’s extensive experience and proven production at multiple NFL stops make him a candidate to join another team in need of interior defensive line help. His track record of signing midseason and contributing immediately suggests he will have opportunities to continue his career whenever a roster opening arises.