Jacob Thomas Matthews Bio
Jacob Thomas Matthews (born February 11, 1992) is an American professional football offensive tackle for the Atlanta Falcons of the National Football League (NFL). Matthews played college football for the Texas A&M Aggies from 2010 to 2013 before the Falcons selected him sixth overall in the 2014 NFL Draft. He has spent his entire professional career with Atlanta, becoming one of the most durable and consistent offensive linemen in the league. Matthews comes from the distinguished Matthews family of football players, which includes multiple NFL veterans across several generations.
Early Life and Background
Matthews was born in Missouri City, Texas, and attended Elkins High School where he was a standout offensive lineman for the Elkins Knights. As a senior, he earned first-team all-district and all-greater Houston honors while leading his team to a 9-3 record. Matthews demonstrated his elite talent early by receiving an invitation to play in the 2010 U.S. Army All-American Bowl and earning High School All-American honors from USA Today, Parade, and SuperPrep.
Regarded as a four-star recruit by Rivals.com, Matthews was ranked as the No. 7 offensive tackle prospect in the class of 2010. He ultimately chose to continue his football career at Texas A&M over offers from several major programs including Oklahoma, Alabama, Arkansas, Oregon, Texas, Texas Tech, Southern California, and Stanford. During his high school career, Matthews was teammates with D.J. Hayden.
Path to Professional Football
Matthews arrived at Texas A&M in 2010 and immediately began his development as an offensive tackle. He spent his first three seasons playing right tackle before making the transition to left tackle for his senior season in 2013. This positional versatility became a hallmark of his skill set and contributed to his draft stock. Throughout his collegiate career, Matthews developed under the guidance of Texas A&M’s coaching staff while facing some of the toughest competition in college football.
His consistent performance at Texas A&M earned him recognition as one of the top offensive line prospects in the nation. The Aggies’ offensive line development program, combined with Matthews’ dedication and physical tools, prepared him well for the next level. His collegiate career concluded with him being regarded as one of the most NFL-ready offensive tackles in his draft class.
Jacob Thomas Matthews Career
Texas A&M Aggies (2010–2013)
During his junior season in 2012, Matthews earned first-team All-Southeastern Conference honors and received first-team All-American recognition from the Football Writers Association of America. His performance that season helped anchor an Aggies offensive line that was vital to the team’s success in their second year in the SEC. The competition he faced weekly against elite defensive ends in the conference prepared him for the professional level.
As a senior in 2013, Matthews made the transition from right tackle to left tackle, demonstrating his adaptability and football intelligence. He earned first-team All-SEC honors for the second consecutive year and was recognized as a unanimous All-American. Matthews won the Jacobs Blocking Trophy, awarded annually to the best blocker in the SEC. His senior season solidified his reputation as one of the premier offensive tackles in college football.
Atlanta Falcons Draft and Rookie Season (2014)
The Atlanta Falcons selected Matthews with the sixth overall pick in the 2014 NFL Draft. With Texas A&M teammate Luke Joeckel having been selected second overall by the Jacksonville Jaguars in 2013, Texas A&M became the first school since Southern California in 2011 and 2012 to have consecutive top-10 selected offensive linemen. Matthews’ selection reflected the Falcons’ confidence in his ability to protect their quarterback at the professional level.
Despite suffering a high ankle sprain in his first NFL game against the New Orleans Saints, Matthews demonstrated remarkable durability and determination. He started in all but one game during his rookie season, showing the mental toughness and physical capability that made him a top prospect. This early resilience set the tone for the ironman streak that would define his career.
Establishing Himself (2015–2017)
In the 2015 season, Matthews’ blocking technique improved significantly as he allowed only 38 quarterback pressures compared to 51 during his rookie year. His development earned him recognition as the third most improved player of 2015 by Pro Football Focus. The young tackle was steadily developing into a reliable anchor on the Falcons’ offensive line.
The 2016 season marked a breakthrough as Matthews and the Falcons reached the NFC Championship Game where they defeated the Green Bay Packers 44-21. The matchup held special significance as Matthews faced his cousin Clay Matthews III, a linebacker for the Packers. Matthews played every offensive snap in Super Bowl LI against the New England Patriots. Although the Falcons lost 34-28 in overtime after surrendering a 28-3 lead, Matthews gained invaluable experience in the biggest stage in professional football.
On April 25, 2017, the Falcons picked up the fifth-year option on Matthews’ contract. He started all 16 games at left tackle for the third consecutive season, establishing himself as one of the most reliable left tackles in the league. His consistency and durability continued to set him apart from his peers.
Pro Bowl Recognition and Current Era (2018–Present)
On July 27, 2018, Matthews signed a five-year, $75 million contract extension with the Falcons, reflecting the organization’s commitment to keeping him as a foundation piece of their offensive line. On January 23, 2019, he was named to his first Pro Bowl as a replacement for Washington Redskins offensive tackle Trent Williams. This recognition validated years of consistent performance at the highest level of professional football.
During the 2020 season, Matthews continued his elite play, allowing only three sacks, six quarterback hits, and three total penalties across 1,113 offensive snaps. His pass blocking ranked ninth among all tackles in the NFL. This performance demonstrated that despite entering his seventh NFL season, Matthews remained among the league’s top offensive tackles.
On March 14, 2022, Matthews signed a three-year, $52.5 million extension with the Falcons. By the end of November 2022, he had started 138 consecutive regular season games, the longest active streak for a left tackle in the NFL at that time. By the end of the 2024 season, Matthews had started 174 consecutive regular season games at left tackle, establishing the longest active streak in professional football. On March 9, 2025, Matthews and the Falcons agreed to a two-year, $45 million contract extension through the 2027 season.
Playing Style and Strengths
Matthews is known for his exceptional durability, consistency, and reliability at the left tackle position. His technique and footwork have been refined over more than a decade of professional play, making him particularly effective in pass protection. His strength in run blocking has been a key component of the Falcons’ ground game throughout his career. Matthews’ ability to stay healthy and perform at a high level year after year has made him invaluable to the Falcons organization and rare among NFL players.
Notable Events and Milestones
The 2016 season stands out as the defining stretch of Matthews’ career. Leading the Falcons to the NFC Championship and Super Bowl LI gave him invaluable experience on the biggest stage. His family rivalry with cousin Clay Matthews III during the NFC Championship Game added a unique narrative element to his championship run. His streak of 174 consecutive starts at left tackle as of the end of the 2024 season is among the most remarkable durability records in professional football and places him in rare company among NFL players.
Jacob Thomas Matthews Career Wins and Statistics
Matthews has been a model of consistency throughout his NFL career, starting every game he has played since his rookie season. His career statistics reflect his durability and reliability as an NFL offensive tackle. With 196 games played and 196 games started as of the 2025 season, Matthews has been a fixture on the Falcons’ offensive line for over a decade.
Career Highlights
His first Pro Bowl selection in 2018 marked the pinnacle of his individual achievements during the regular season. The contract extensions he has negotiated reflect the Falcons’ consistent valuation of his contributions to the team. Matthews’ ability to remain healthy and perform at a high level for 11-plus seasons represents one of the most impressive streaks of durability in modern professional football.
College Achievements
During his collegiate career at Texas A&M, Matthews earned unanimous All-American honors in 2013 and first-team All-American recognition in 2012. He won the Jacobs Blocking Trophy as the SEC’s best blocker in 2013 and earned first-team All-SEC honors in both 2012 and 2013. These accomplishments established him as one of the most decorated offensive linemen in Texas A&M history before beginning his professional career.
Matthews Family
Family Background and Football Lineage
Jacob Thomas Matthews comes from one of the most distinguished football families in NFL history. He is the son of Pro Football Hall of Famer Bruce Matthews, whose career spanned 19 seasons with the Houston Oilers and Tennessee Titans. Bruce Matthews is widely regarded as one of the greatest offensive linemen in NFL history, and his induction into the Hall of Fame in 2023 cemented the family’s legacy in professional football.
Jake Matthews comes from a family with multiple NFL players. His older brother Kevin Matthews played center for Texas A&M and the Carolina Panthers. His younger brother Mike Matthews played center for the Miami Dolphins. Another younger brother Luke Matthews also played at Texas A&M. His cousin Clay Matthews III was a standout linebacker for the Green Bay Packers and was selected to multiple Pro Bowls. Another cousin Casey Matthews played linebacker for the Minnesota Vikings. Jake is the nephew of NFL veteran Clay Matthews Jr., the grandson of NFL veteran Clay Matthews Sr., and the great-grandson of H.L. Matthews. This multi-generational football heritage has provided Jake with unparalleled guidance and tradition throughout his development as a player.
Personal Life
Matthews maintains his connection to his Texas roots while residing in the Atlanta area during the football season. His upbringing in a football-centric family provided him with unique insights into the demands of professional athletics from an early age. The mentorship he received from his father and extended family contributed significantly to his development as both a player and professional. Matthews continues to represent the values and work ethic that have defined the Matthews family legacy in football.
2025 Season Performance
The 2025 season marked another chapter in Matthews’ remarkable tenure with the Falcons. Having signed a two-year, $45 million extension in March, Matthews entered the season as the unquestioned leader of Atlanta’s offensive line. His continued presence provided stability and experience for a team looking to compete in the NFC. The 174-game consecutive start streak he carried into the season demonstrated his extraordinary durability and professionalism.
Matthews’ performance throughout the 2025 season reinforced why the Falcons invested significantly to keep him in Atlanta through 2027. His technique remained sharp, and his leadership in the locker room proved invaluable as younger players developed around him. The Falcons’ offensive line continuity credited much of its success to Matthews’ consistency and mentorship of emerging talent.
Looking ahead, Matthews appears positioned to continue extending his ironman streak while contributing to the Falcons’ competitiveness in the NFC. His career trajectory reflects a player who has maximized his abilities through dedication and consistency. The Matthews family legacy in professional football continues through Jake’s role as one of the NFL’s premier offensive tackles.