Jack Conklin

Jack Conklin Bio

Jonathan Jackson Conklin (born August 17, 1994) is an American professional football offensive tackle for the Cleveland Browns of the National Football League (NFL). He played college football for the Michigan State Spartans and was selected by the Tennessee Titans eighth overall in the 2016 NFL draft. Conklin has been named a first-team All-Pro twice (2016 and 2020) and has established himself as one of the premier offensive linemen in professional football. His career spans two franchises, with the Titans from 2016 to 2019 and the Browns starting in 2020.

Early Life and Background

Jack Conklin was born in Plainwell, Michigan, on August 17, 1994, to Darren Conklin and Jennifer Jackson. His football roots run deep in his family, as his father Darren served as the head football coach at Plainwell High School, providing Jack with early exposure to the sport at a formative age. This familial connection to football helped shape Conklin’s development and passion for the game from a young age.

Conklin attended Plainwell High School in Michigan, where he played football under his father’s guidance. Beyond football, Conklin also participated in basketball during his high school years, demonstrating his well-rounded athletic ability. His performance on the gridiron at Plainwell High caught the attention of college scouts, setting the stage for his collegiate career at Michigan State University.

Path to Professional Football

Conklin joined the Michigan State University football team as a walk-on player in 2012. After redshirting his first year, Conklin quickly earned a starting role, beginning his redshirt freshman year in 2013 by starting 13 of 14 games at either right or left offensive tackle. His sophomore year saw him start all 13 games at left tackle, solidifying his place as a cornerstone of the Spartans’ offensive line.

His junior season in 2015 proved to be his breakthrough campaign. Conklin was selected as a First-team All-American by Sporting News and USA Today, while also earning First-team All-Big Ten Conference honors from both coaches and media. During that remarkable season, he only gave up two sacks and was penalized twice, showcasing exceptional technique and consistency. On January 6, 2016, Conklin announced he would forgo his senior season and enter the NFL draft.

Jack Conklin Career

Tennessee Titans (2016–2019)

The Titans selected Conklin in the first round (eighth overall) of the 2016 NFL draft, trading their 15th and 76th overall picks to the Cleveland Browns to move up and secure him. He became the second offensive tackle drafted after Laremy Tunsil’s unexpected fall in the draft. On May 26, 2016, Conklin signed a four-year, $15.89 million rookie contract with $15.44 million guaranteed and a $9.76 million signing bonus.

Conklin entered training camp slated as the starting right tackle and earned the job, joining left tackle Taylor Lewan and the rest of the offensive line. He made his professional regular season debut in the Titans’ 25-16 loss to the Minnesota Vikings and started all 16 games during his rookie season. Conklin was named First-team All-Pro in 2016 and was also selected to the PFWA All-Rookie Team. He received an overall grade of 88.9 from Pro Football Focus, ranking fifth among all offensive linemen and highest among all rookie offensive linemen that season.

In 2017, Conklin again started all 16 games at right tackle and helped the Titans earn a playoff berth for the first time since 2008. He made his playoff debut on January 6, 2018, in the AFC Wildcard Game against the Kansas City Chiefs. However, his season ended tragically the following week when he tore his ACL during a 35-14 loss to the New England Patriots in the Divisional Round. He underwent successful surgery to repair the torn ACL on January 26, 2018.

The 2018 season saw Conklin miss the first three games while recovering from his ACL injury. He later entered concussion protocol after a Week 9 victory over the Dallas Cowboys and suffered another knee injury against the Jacksonville Jaguars, which resulted in being placed on injured reserve on December 11. In 2019, the Titans declined the fifth-year option on Conklin’s contract, but he started all 16 games and helped Derrick Henry win the NFL rushing yards title. The Titans finished 9-7 for the fourth consecutive year and made the playoffs as the number six seed in the AFC.

Cleveland Browns (2020–Present)

On March 20, 2020, Conklin signed a three-year, $42 million contract with the Cleveland Browns. He made an immediate impact in his first season with the Browns, helping anchor an offensive line that featured several Pro Bowl selections. Conklin was named to the 2020 All-Pro Team, joining teammates Myles Garrett, Joel Bitonio, and Wyatt Teller as Browns defenders and offensive linemen to earn the honor.

The 2021 season brought challenges for Conklin, as he was placed on injured reserve with an elbow injury on November 6 before being activated later that month. However, during a Week 12 Sunday Night Football matchup against the Baltimore Ravens, Conklin suffered a right knee injury and was diagnosed with a torn patellar tendon, ending his season on injured reserve. On December 23, 2022, Conklin signed a four-year, $60 million contract extension with the Browns through the 2026 season, securing his long-term future with the franchise.

The 2023 season saw Conklin suffer another significant injury in Week 1, as he tore his ACL and MCL. He was placed on season-ending injured reserve on September 12, 2023. During the 2025 season, Conklin started all eight of his appearances before being placed on season-ending injured reserve on December 20 due to a concussion sustained in Week 13 against the San Francisco 49ers.

Playing Style and Strengths

Conklin is known for his exceptional size (6-foot-6, 308 pounds) combined with mobility and football intelligence. His technique at the tackle position has earned consistent praise from coaches and analysts, with Pro Football Focus grading him among the league’s top offensive linemen during his peak seasons. His ability to protect the quarterback’s blind side and establish the running game has made him valuable to every team he has played for. His experience playing both left and right tackle demonstrates his versatility along the offensive line.

Notable Events and Milestones

Conklin’s rookie season stands as one of the most impressive debut years for an offensive tackle in recent memory, earning First-team All-Pro honors immediately. His blocking was instrumental in Derrick Henry’s 2019 rushing title and playoff success, as Conklin helped clear the way for Henry’s nearly 200-yard performances against the Patriots and Baltimore Ravens during the Titans’ playoff run. The dramatic playoff victory over the Kansas City Chiefs in the 2019 AFC Championship Game represented a career highlight, though the Titans fell short against the eventual Super Bowl champions.

Jack Conklin Career Statistics

Throughout his NFL career spanning from 2016 to 2025, Conklin has been a durable and reliable presence on the offensive line, starting every game when healthy. He has appeared in 114 career games with 114 starts across his tenure with the Titans and Browns.

NFL Regular Season Statistics

Conklin has amassed 114 games played and 114 games started over nine professional seasons. His consistency and availability when healthy have been hallmarks of his career, with his best seasons coming in 2016 (rookie All-Pro), 2017, 2019, and 2020 (All-Pro).

Career Highlights

Conklin’s career is distinguished by his rapid success at the professional level. His 2016 rookie campaign resulted in First-team All-Pro honors, making him one of the few offensive tackles to achieve this recognition in their debut season. He followed this with another First-team All-Pro selection in 2020 with the Browns, demonstrating sustained excellence across multiple seasons and franchises. His blocking helped power Derrick Henry to an NFL rushing title and multiple 200-yard playoff performances in 2019.

Jack Conklin Family

Family Background and Racing Lineage

Conklin’s football heritage runs through his family, with his father Darren Conklin serving as the head football coach at Plainwell High School. Growing up under his father’s guidance provided Jack with a unique understanding of the game from an early age, and he played high school football under his father’s coaching. This family connection to football shaped his development and passion for the sport.

Personal Life

Jack Conklin is married to Caitlyn Riley, and together they have a daughter. The family resides in Ohio during the football season. Conklin maintains an active presence on social media, connecting with fans through his Instagram account. His personal life has remained relatively private despite his professional success.

2025 Season Performance

The 2025 season represented another challenging year for Conklin due to injuries. He managed to start all eight of his appearances before suffering a concussion in Week 13 against the San Francisco 49ers. The head injury proved serious enough to end his season, as he was placed on season-ending injured reserve on December 20, 2025. This marked the third significant season-ending injury of his career, following his ACL tear in 2017 and patellar tendon injury in 2021.

When healthy, Conklin continued to demonstrate the high level of play that earned him multiple All-Pro honors throughout his career. The Browns’ offensive line struggled with consistency during portions of the season, but Conklin’s presence remained valuable when available. His leadership and experience continued to benefit the younger players along the offensive line, even as injuries limited his time on the field.

The outlook for Conklin moving forward remains positive, as he signed a contract extension through the 2026 season. His demonstrated ability to return from serious injuries and perform at an All-Pro level provides optimism for his continued contribution to the Browns’ offensive line in the future.