Jack Jones (American football)

Jones was ranked as a five–star and the #19 overall recruit by 247Sports.com coming out of high school.^[3] He committed to USC on February 3, 2016, over offers from Alabama and Texas A&M on an interview with Snoop Dogg.^[4] He became a starter for the team during his sophomore season, but was dismissed before his junior season due to academic struggles.^[5] He transferred to Moorpark College, a junior college in California in an effort to improve his grades.^[6] After improving his grades at Moorpark College, he committed to Arizona State as a three–star^[7] JUCO recruit.^[8] During his junior year for the Sun Devils, Jones played in 13 games and started in one. In the Territorial Cup against the University of Arizona, Jones recorded 2 interceptions and was subsequently named the Pac-12 Defensive Player of the week. Jones finished the 2019 season with a Pac-12 All-Conference selection and a Pro Football Focus Pac-12 Honorable Mention. Jones only played in 2 games in the 2020 season as a senior and recorded 5 total tackles for the year. He returned to play for Arizona State as a graduate student in 2021 where he recorded 42 tackles including 2.5 tackles for a loss and a strip sack. Jones had 3 interceptions in 2021 with an 86-yard pick-six against Arizona on November 27. Jones received an Honorable Mention Defensive Back nomination from the Pac-12 following his 2021 season performance.^[9]

Jones was selected by the New England Patriots with the 121st pick in the fourth round of the 2022 NFL draft.^[13] On June 9, 2022, Jones officially signed his rookie deal with the Patriots. The deal involved a $746,984 signing bonus and four years totaling $3.6 million in salary.^[14]

Jones made his first career start in the Patriots' Week 4 game against the Green Bay Packers. In the first half of the game, Jones had a forced fumble and fumble recovery as well as a pick-six off Aaron Rodgers in the 27-24 overtime loss.^[15] Jones became just the fourth player in NFL history to return an interception thrown by Rodgers for a touchdown, joining Tanard Jackson, William Jackson III, and Jamel Dean.^[16]

In Week 5 against the Detroit Lions, Jones recorded his second interception of the season off a throw by Jared Goff. Through the first five weeks, Jones was rated the number one cornerback in single-coverage by Pro Football Focus with a rating of 92.^[17] He played in 13 games with two starts, recording 30 tackles, two interceptions, and six passes defended. On December 31, 2022, Jones was placed on season–ending injured reserve.^[18]

Jones entered the 2023 season as a starting cornerback, however in practice prior to Week 1, he suffered a hamstring injury. He was placed on injured reserve on September 9, 2023.^[19] He was activated on October 21.^[20]

The night before the Patriots Week 9 game vs the Washington Commanders, Jones missed curfew at the team hotel and was benched and played a reduced role. He also played a career-low 10 snaps vs the Indianapolis Colts the next week.^[21] He was waived the next day on November 13, 2023.^[22]

On November 14, 2023, Jones was claimed off waivers by the Las Vegas Raiders, reuniting with former high school and college coach Antonio Pierce.^[23] In a Week 15 game against the Los Angeles Chargers, Jones snagged a one-handed interception on an errant screen pass from Chargers quarterback Easton Stick. He returned it for a touchdown, capping off Las Vegas’ scoring in a stunning 63-21 victory. Then the next week on Christmas Day, in a Week 16 victory against Kansas City Chiefs, he intercepted a Patrick Mahomes pass, returning it for his second touchdown in two weeks. Following the touchdown, in celebration, Jones offered the intercepted ball to a young Chiefs fan. Jones then snatched the ball back after the child reached out to grab it. The clip went viral, leading Jones to explain that he wasn’t trying to steal the ball from the child but instead from an adult fan standing behind the child and his parents attempting to steal it.

On April 6, 2025, Jones was released by the Raiders.^[24]

On July 26, 2025, Jones signed with the Miami Dolphins.^[25] On November 16, Jones intercepted a pass on the first play of overtime against the Washington Commanders, giving the Dolphins excellent field position and setting up the game-winning field goal.^[26] He started all 17 games for Miami during the regular season, recording one interception, six pass deflections, two forced fumbles, and 77 combined tackles.

On April 13, 2026, Jones signed with the San Francisco 49ers on a one-year contract.^[27]