Jalen Thompson Bio
Jalen Thompson is an American professional football safety who currently plays for the Dallas Cowboys of the National Football League (NFL). Born on July 18, 1998, in Compton, California, Thompson has built a reputation as a reliable and versatile defensive back throughout his NFL career. He played college football at Washington State University before being selected by the Arizona Cardinals in the fifth round of the 2019 NFL Supplemental Draft, becoming the final player ever selected in that draft format. Thompson signed with the Dallas Cowboys in March 2026, marking a new chapter in his professional career after spending six seasons with the Cardinals organization.
Early Life and Background
Thompson was born and raised in Compton, California, where his football journey began. He initially attended La Serna High School in Whittier, California, where he earned honorable mention All-San Gabriel Valley League honors as a sophomore while helping the Lancers capture the 2013 CIF Southern Section championship. Seeking more opportunities, Thompson transferred to Downey High School following his sophomore year, where he transitioned to playing both wide receiver and cornerback.
At Downey High School, Thompson flourished as a two-way player. He earned All-CIF and All-San Gabriel Valley League recognition during both his junior and senior seasons. As a senior, he recorded five interceptions and averaged an impressive 20.2 yards per reception, showcasing the playmaking ability that would define his career. His outstanding performance earned him a spot on the All-Area Dream Team by the Long Beach Press-Telegram. Rated as a three-star recruit by ESPN, Rivals, and Scout, Thompson was ranked as the No. 56 cornerback nationally by ESPN.com. He ultimately chose to continue his football career at Washington State University over offers from San Diego State, New Mexico State, Army, and Navy.
Path to Professional Football
Thompson arrived at Washington State University as an early enrollee and immediately participated in spring practices with the Cougars program. His work ethic and football intelligence quickly paid dividends, as he was named the starting strong safety entering his freshman season. Thompson exceeded all expectations, earning True Freshman All-American honors from ESPN after recording 51 tackles and leading the team with seven pass breakups across 13 games.
His sophomore season proved to be his breakout year. Thompson led the Cougars with 73 tackles, including 5.5 tackles for loss, while also contributing two pass breakups and four interceptions, which ranked tied for third in the Pac-12 Conference. He led the conference with three fumble recoveries and was named Second-team All-Pac-12 Conference while also earning first-team all-conference honors from the Associated Press. Heading into his junior season, Thompson was recognized on the Chuck Bednarik Award watchlist. He recorded 67 tackles, two interceptions, and eight passes broken up, earning honorable mention all-conference honors.
Unfortunately, Thompson lost his final season of collegiate eligibility due to an NCAA rules violation stemming from his purchase of an over-the-counter supplement from a local nutrition store. Despite the setback, Thompson finished his Washington State career having started all 39 games he played, accumulating 191 tackles, six interceptions, and 17 passes broken up. With no eligibility remaining, he declared for the 2019 NFL Supplemental Draft in June 2019.
Jalen Thompson Career
Arizona Cardinals (2019–2025)
On July 10, 2019, the Arizona Cardinals selected Thompson in the fifth round of the NFL Supplemental Draft, making him the only player selected in that year’s supplemental draft and marking him as the final player ever chosen in an NFL Supplemental Draft. On July 17, 2019, Thompson signed a four-year, $2.86 million contract with the Cardinals that included a signing bonus of $342,920. He entered training camp competing for a backup safety role against several other players, including Charles Washington, Deionte Thompson, Josh Shaw, and Rudy Ford.
Thompson made his professional regular season debut on September 8, 2019, playing seven snaps on special teams during a 27–27 tie against the Detroit Lions. His opportunity came sooner than expected when the Cardinals released starting free safety D.J. Swearinger in late September following coverage issues. Head coach Kliff Kingsbury named Thompson as one of the candidates to replace Swearinger, and on October 6, 2019, Thompson earned his first career start at free safety. He responded with a season-high eight combined tackles (five solo) in a 26–23 victory over the Cincinnati Bengals. His first career interception came on November 17, 2019, picking off a pass by Jimmy Garoppolo during a game against the San Francisco 49ers. Thompson finished his rookie season with 57 combined tackles, three passes defended, and one interception in 15 games with nine starts.
The 2020 season presented challenges for Thompson. He competed for the starting strong safety position during training camp and was named the starter alongside Budda Baker at free safety. However, Thompson suffered an ankle injury in the season opener against the San Francisco 49ers and was placed on injured reserve, missing six consecutive games from Weeks 2 through 7. He was activated from injured reserve on November 4, 2020, but later missed five more games due to injury. Despite the setbacks, he completed the season with 19 combined tackles and one pass deflection in five games with four starts.
The 2021 season marked Thompson’s most productive year to that point. He started all 17 games and recorded a career-high 121 combined tackles (79 solo), seven pass deflections, and three interceptions. His standout performances included a 10-tackle game against the Chicago Bears with an interception and a season finale against the Seattle Seahawks with two pass deflections and another interception. The Cardinals finished the 2021 season with an 11–6 record, finishing second in the NFC West and clinching a playoff berth. In the NFC Wild-Card Game against the Los Angeles Rams, Thompson led the team with 12 combined tackles, but the Cardinals fell 11–34 in the playoff loss.
On September 2, 2022, Thompson signed a three-year, $36 million contract with $20.17 million guaranteed, making him one of the higher-paid safeties in the league. He returned as the starting free safety paired with Budda Baker and started all 17 games during the 2022 season. He recorded 110 combined tackles, eight pass deflections, and one interception, earning a 76.2 grade from Pro Football Focus, his highest mark at that point in his career.
The 2023 season saw Thompson continue his solid play despite the Cardinals’ struggles. He recorded 78 combined tackles, nine pass deflections, and a career-high four interceptions in 15 games with 15 starts. Notable moments included a 35-yard interception return against the New York Giants and his first career sack on C.J. Stroud for a nine-yard loss against the Houston Texans. He missed two games due to a hamstring injury but returned to form with consistent production throughout the season.
In the 2024 season, Thompson remained a starter at safety under the new coaching staff led by head coach Jonathan Gannon and defensive coordinator Nick Rallis. He recorded 98 combined tackles, three pass deflections, and two fumble recoveries in 15 games with 15 starts. His season highlights included a four-tackle performance with two pass deflections in a victory over the San Francisco 49ers and an 11-tackle game in a win against the Miami Dolphins. Thompson missed two games due to an ankle injury sustained during practice but maintained his role as a consistent presence in the Cardinals secondary throughout the season.
Dallas Cowboys (2026–Present)
On March 9, 2026, Thompson signed a three-year, $36 million contract with the Dallas Cowboys, joining his new team after six seasons with the Arizona Cardinals organization. The move represented a significant transition for Thompson as he joined one of the NFL’s most storied franchises. He brings his experience as a durable and consistent safety who has demonstrated the ability to make plays in coverage while also contributing against the run.
Playing Style and Strengths
Thompson is recognized as a versatile safety with excellent instincts and range in the deep third of the field. His ability to read quarterbacks and break on passes has resulted in consistent interception production throughout his career. He excels in zone coverage schemes where his football intelligence allows him to anticipate routes and make plays on the ball. Thompson also demonstrates solid tackling technique in the open field and has shown the ability to support the run defense effectively. His experience starting games across multiple seasons has prepared him well for various defensive coverages and in-game adjustments.
Notable Events and Milestones
Thompson holds the distinction of being the final player ever selected in an NFL Supplemental Draft, a historic footnote in league history. He has recorded nine career interceptions through the 2024 season, with his single-season high of four interceptions coming in 2023. Thompson has also contributed on special teams throughout his career and recorded his first career sack during the 2023 season. His durability has been a hallmark, with multiple seasons featuring 15 or more games played and started.
Jalen Thompson Career Wins
Throughout his NFL career, Thompson has established himself as a durable and productive starting safety. His career statistics through the 2024 season include 578 career tackles, 2 career sacks, 2 forced fumbles, 4 fumble recoveries, 37 pass deflections, and 9 interceptions across 78 games played. He has appeared in one playoff game, recording 12 tackles in the Cardinals’ Wild-Card loss to the Los Angeles Rams during the 2021 season.
NFL Highlights
Thompson’s most productive season came in 2021 when he recorded a career-high 121 combined tackles and three interceptions while helping the Arizona Cardinals clinch a playoff berth with an 11-6 record. His 2022 season featured a three-year, $36 million contract extension that recognized his value to the Cardinals defense. The 2023 season saw Thompson record a career-high four interceptions while continuing his streak of consistent tackling production. His rookie season laid the foundation, as he stepped into a starting role mid-year and immediately contributed with his first career interception coming against Jimmy Garoppolo and the San Francisco 49ers.
College Highlights
At Washington State, Thompson was recognized as a True Freshman All-American and led the team in tackles during his sophomore season with 73 stops. His six interceptions over three seasons demonstrated the playmaking ability that translated to his professional career. The Second-team All-Pac-12 selection during his sophomore year highlighted his standing among the conference’s top defensive players.
| Competition Level | Games Played | Total Tackles | Interceptions | Pass Deflections |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| NFL Regular Season (Career) | 78 | 578 | 9 | 37 |
| NFL Playoffs | 1 | 12 | 0 | 0 |
| College (Washington State) | 39 | 191 | 6 | 17 |
Jalen Thompson Family
Family Background and Racing Lineage
No information is available regarding Thompson’s family background or any sports lineage within his family. Details about his parents or siblings have not been publicly disclosed in sources reviewed.
Personal Life
Thompson was born in Compton, California, and attended high school in the greater Los Angeles area before moving to Pullman, Washington, for his college football career. He maintains a presence on social media with an Instagram account. Beyond his football career, Thompson has not publicly disclosed details about his personal relationships or family life. He has not been reported as having any children. His professional approach and work ethic have been noted by coaches and teammates throughout his career.
2025 Season Performance
The 2025 NFL season represents an important year for Thompson as he continues his career in professional football. Having completed the final year of his three-year contract with the Arizona Cardinals in 2024, Thompson’s future with the organization was a topic of discussion heading into the 2025 season. His performance during the 2024 season, which included 98 combined tackles, three pass deflections, and two fumble recoveries across 15 games, demonstrated his continued reliability as a starting safety despite missing two games due to injury.
Thompson entered the 2025 season as one of the more experienced players in the Cardinals secondary, bringing leadership and consistency to the defensive backfield. His partnership with Budda Baker formed one of the more established safety duos in the league, though the Cardinals coaching staff remained focused on developing younger talent while relying on Thompson’s veteran presence. His ability to contribute in multiple facets of the defense, from coverage to run support, remained a valuable asset for the team’s defensive coordinator.
The outlook for Thompson in 2025 involved continued production as a starting safety while evaluating his long-term future with the organization. His career statistics through the 2024 season placed him among the more productive safeties drafted in the 2019 class, and his experience in multiple defensive systems under various coaching staffs demonstrated his adaptability. Whether with the Cardinals or potentially another team, Thompson’s track record of durability, consistent tackling, and playmaking ability in coverage positioned him as a valued contributor in the NFL safety market heading forward.