Vi Jones Bio
Vi Jones is an American professional football linebacker who has competed in the National Football League (NFL) and, briefly, the Canadian Football League (CFL). Born on May 5, 1998, in Austin, Texas, he attended Westlake High School before beginning his college career at the University of Southern California (USC) and later transferring to North Carolina State University (NC State). After going undrafted in the 2022 NFL Draft, Jones signed with the Seattle Seahawks and went on to spend time with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers and the Arizona Cardinals. He most recently signed with the Saskatchewan Roughriders of the CFL in January 2026.
Standing 6 ft 2 in (1.88 m) and listed at 225 lb (102 kg), Jones has built his professional path primarily through practice-squad promotions and reserve contracts. He is the younger brother of wide receiver Zay Jones and the son of former NFL linebacker Robert Jones, giving him one of the most established football pedigrees in the modern game.
Early Life and Background
Vi Jones was born on May 5, 1998, in Austin, Texas, and grew up in the same city. He is the son of Robert Jones, a linebacker who played 10 seasons in the NFL, which provided an early and lasting connection to professional football. Coming from a deeply rooted football family, Jones was exposed to the demands of the sport long before his own career began.
He attended Westlake High School in Austin, where he developed as a defensive prospect and earned the opportunity to continue playing at the college level. His performance in high school helped lay the foundation for his recruitment to a Power Five program and shaped his understanding of defensive schemes.
Path to American Football
Jones began his college football journey at the University of Southern California (USC), where he played for the USC Trojans during the 2017 and 2018 seasons. Spending two years at a program with a deep NFL tradition allowed him to refine his linebacker skills against top-tier competition.
Seeking a fresh opportunity and additional playing time, he transferred to North Carolina State University, joining the NC State Wolfpack for the 2019, 2020, and 2021 seasons. His three years at NC State stabilized his development as a linebacker and prepared him for the next step in his career.
Following the 2021 college season, Jones declared for the 2022 NFL Draft but went undrafted. Despite not hearing his name called, his college production and family background kept him on NFL radars, leading to an opportunity as an undrafted free agent.
Vi Jones Career
Early Career (2022)
Shortly after the 2022 NFL Draft concluded, the Seattle Seahawks signed Vi Jones as an undrafted free agent. His initial stint with Seattle was short, as he was waived at the final roster cuts on August 30, 2022, before being signed to the Seahawks’ practice squad the following day.
Jones was elevated to Seattle’s active roster on November 12, 2022, and made his professional debut the next day against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in the Seahawks’ Week 10 game. He appeared in 10 special teams snaps during that contest and was placed back on the practice squad afterward. He was later elevated again, playing in Weeks 13 and 14, and was promoted to the active roster one final time on December 31. In total, Jones appeared in three games for the Seahawks during his rookie season before being waived on August 29, 2023.
Tampa Bay Buccaneers Era (2023–2024)
On November 22, 2023, Jones was signed to the Tampa Bay Buccaneers’ practice squad, beginning a longer stretch of activity with the franchise. He was released on December 12 but re-signed to the practice squad on December 19, and later signed a reserve/future contract on January 30, 2024.
Jones remained with the Buccaneers into the 2024 season, though he was waived on August 27, 2024, and quickly re-signed to the practice squad. He was promoted to Tampa Bay’s active roster on November 29, 2024, giving him his most significant regular-season opportunity of his career to that point.
Arizona Cardinals Era (2024–2025)
On December 30, 2024, Jones was claimed off waivers by the Arizona Cardinals, marking his third NFL team in less than three years. The move placed him on a roster that already included his older brother, wide receiver Zay Jones.
Jones continued with the Cardinals through the 2025 offseason before being waived on August 25, 2025. His time in Arizona reflected his value as a versatile linebacker and core special teams contributor.
Saskatchewan Roughriders (2026)
On January 28, 2026, Jones signed with the Saskatchewan Roughriders of the Canadian Football League, expanding his professional career north of the border. He was released on May 30, 2026, as part of final roster cuts.
Notable Events and Milestones
Through the 2024 NFL season, Jones had recorded 9 total tackles and 2 forced fumbles, statistics that highlight his role as a rotational linebacker and special teams presence. His ability to navigate practice-squad elevations across three NFL franchises underscores his durability and football intelligence.
Vi Jones Career Wins
As a linebacker and special teams contributor, Vi Jones has not accumulated traditional win-statistics comparable to quarterbacks or skill-position players. His measurable production through the 2024 season included 9 total tackles and 2 forced fumbles, numbers that reflect rotational rather than starter-level output. Documented individual game or series victories are not part of his publicly available statistical record.
Vi Jones Family
Family Background and Football Lineage
Vi Jones comes from one of the most recognizable football families in the United States. His father, Robert Jones, played linebacker in the NFL for 10 seasons, setting a powerful example of longevity and professionalism for his son. Vi is also the nephew of former NFL quarterback Jeff Blake, further extending the family’s reach across multiple positions and eras of professional football.
His older brother, Zay Jones, plays wide receiver for the Arizona Cardinals, while another brother, Cayleb Jones, is a former Minnesota Vikings wide receiver. Growing up around the game clearly shaped Vi’s path and continues to influence his professional outlook.
Personal Life
Publicly available information about Vi Jones’ personal life remains limited. Details regarding his marital status, spouse, children, or residence have not been confirmed in verified sources. Jones maintains a public presence through his social media accounts on X (formerly Twitter) and Instagram under the handle @thevijones.
2025 Season Performance
Vi Jones spent the 2025 offseason with the Arizona Cardinals after being claimed off waivers in late December 2024. He was part of the team’s defensive and special teams plans during spring workouts and the early portion of training camp, building on his rotational experience from Tampa Bay.
On August 25, 2025, the Cardinals waived Jones, ending his Arizona tenure. Following that release, he continued his professional career in January 2026 by signing with the Saskatchewan Roughriders of the CFL, a move that opened a new chapter in his ongoing journey through professional football.