Jonah Jackson Bio
Jonah Jackson (born February 5, 1997) is an American professional football guard for the Chicago Bears of the National Football League (NFL). He plays the guard position and wears jersey number 73. Jackson was drafted in the third round of the 2020 NFL Draft and has built a reputation as a durable and consistent offensive lineman. He previously played for the Detroit Lions and the Los Angeles Rams before joining the Chicago Bears in 2025.
Early Life and Background
Jonah Jackson was born in Media, Pennsylvania, and grew up in the surrounding area. He began his football journey at a young age, playing for the Rose Tree Colts youth football program. This early exposure helped develop his foundational skills and passion for the sport.
Jackson attended Penncrest High School in Media, where he continued to hone his craft as an offensive lineman. During his senior year, he earned first-team All-Central Athletic League honors and first-team All-Delaware County recognition, establishing himself as one of the top high school players in the region.
Path to Professional Football
Following his standout high school career, Jackson enrolled at Rutgers University in 2015. He redshirted his true freshman season and saw limited action in his sophomore year, primarily playing on the field goal protection unit. As a redshirt sophomore, Jackson transitioned to center and started five of six games before suffering a season-ending injury.
His redshirt junior year marked a turning point when he shifted to right guard and started 11 games. His performance earned him honorable mention All-Big Ten Conference honors. Seeking a new challenge, Jackson decided to transfer as a graduate student and chose Ohio State University after visiting Oklahoma.
At Ohio State during the 2019 season, Jackson became the Buckeyes starting left guard and started every game. His dominant play earned him first-team All-Big Ten honors, solidifying his status as an NFL prospect and completing his transformation into a polished collegiate offensive lineman.
Jonah Jackson Career
Detroit Lions (2020–2023)
The Detroit Lions selected Jonah Jackson in the third round with the 75th overall pick in the 2020 NFL Draft. On June 24, 2020, he signed a four-year contract with the franchise. The Lions named Jackson their starting right guard heading into his rookie season, showing immediate confidence in his abilities.
Jackson made his NFL debut on September 13, 2020, in the season opener against the Chicago Bears. He started at right guard and played 90 percent of the Lions offensive snaps, demonstrating his readiness for professional competition. Throughout his first two seasons, Jackson started 32 of a possible 33 games, showcasing durability and reliability at the guard position.
Los Angeles Rams (2024)
On March 14, 2024, Jackson signed a three-year, $51 million contract with the Los Angeles Rams, representing a significant step in his career. In Week 1 of the 2024 season, he was named the Rams starting center, marking the first time in his career that he played snaps at the center position rather than guard.
However, Jackson suffered a fractured scapula in Week 2 and was placed on injured reserve on September 18, 2024. He was activated from injured reserve on November 11, 2024, returning to the lineup after a prolonged recovery period.
Chicago Bears (2025–Present)
On March 12, 2025, the Chicago Bears acquired Jackson through a trade with the Los Angeles Rams. The Bears sent a sixth-round pick (via Houston) in the 2025 NFL Draft to the Rams in exchange for Jackson. The very next day, Jackson and the Bears agreed to a one-year, $12.25 million contract extension, securing his services for the 2025 season and beyond.
Jackson joins a Bears offensive line looking to rebuild and protect their quarterback, bringing his experience from three different NFL franchises and his proven track record of durability and consistent play at the guard position.
Playing Style and Strengths
Jackson has established himself as a reliable and physical offensive lineman throughout his NFL career. His experience playing both guard and center provides the Chicago Bears with valuable positional flexibility along their offensive line. He has demonstrated the ability to anchor against power rushes and move defenders in the running game. His durability stands out, having started 78 games across his five NFL seasons.
Notable Events and Milestones
One of the defining moments of Jackson’s career came in 2022 when he was selected to the Pro Bowl as an injury replacement, recognizing his strong play during the season. His journey from a third-round draft pick to a Pro Bowl selection demonstrates his development into one of the league’s top interior offensive linemen.
Jonah Jackson Career Wins
Throughout his NFL career, Jonah Jackson has accumulated significant playing time and recognition. His most notable achievement remains his Pro Bowl selection in 2021, which highlighted his impact as one of the league’s top guards during that season.
Detroit Lions Highlights
During his three seasons with the Detroit Lions from 2020 to 2023, Jackson started every game of his rookie season and established himself as a foundational piece of the Lions offensive line. His consistency earned him the Pro Bowl selection in 2021. He completed his Lions tenure having started the vast majority of games during his tenure in Detroit.
Other Highlights
Beyond his NFL accomplishments, Jackson achieved first-team All-Big Ten honors during his single season at Ohio State in 2019. This recognition as one of the conference’s top offensive linemen helped propel him into NFL Draft consideration and set the stage for his professional career.
Jonah Jackson Family
Family Background
Jonah Jackson grew up in Media, Pennsylvania, where he attended Penncrest High School. Details about his family background, parents, or siblings are not widely available in public sources.
Personal Life
Jackson maintains an active presence on social media under the handle @jonahjackson73. Public information regarding his marital status, spouse, or children is not currently available.
2025 Season Performance
Jonah Jackson enters the 2025 season with the Chicago Bears following his trade from the Los Angeles Rams. After a challenging 2024 season that included a significant shoulder injury, Jackson looks to return to full health and provide stability to the Bears offensive line. The Bears signed him to a substantial one-year contract extension worth $12.25 million, indicating their confidence in his ability to contribute immediately.
His transition to the Bears reunites him with the team against which he made his NFL debut in 2020. Now wearing Bears colors instead of Lions colors, Jackson brings 78 career starts and Pro Bowl experience to Chicago’s rebuilding offensive line. The addition of a veteran like Jackson should help anchor the interior of the line as the Bears develop their offense around their young quarterback.
The Bears coaching staff will likely look to Jackson to provide leadership and consistency in the middle of their offensive line. His versatility to play guard and center gives the team schematic flexibility, and his track record of durability makes him a reliable option for the 2025 season and beyond.