Jalen Mills Bio
Jalen Mills is an American professional football safety who currently plays for the Detroit Lions of the National Football League (NFL). Born on April 6, 1994, in Dallas, Texas, Mills has built a durable NFL career spanning multiple teams over nearly a decade. He played college football at Louisiana State University (LSU), where he earned first-team All-American honors as a senior in 2015. The Philadelphia Eagles selected Mills in the seventh round of the 2016 NFL Draft, and he went on to win a Super Bowl championship with the franchise in Super Bowl LII before continuing his career with several other organizations.
Early Life and Background
Mills grew up in Lancaster, Texas, before transferring to DeSoto High School in DeSoto for his senior year. At DeSoto High School, he played cornerback for the DeSoto Eagles varsity team. During his senior season in 2011, Mills recorded 26 tackles, one interception, and six pass breakups, helping guide the team to a 10-2 record and a second-round appearance in the UIL 5A Division 1 playoffs, where they lost to Dallas Skyline. Rivals.com rated Mills as a three-star recruit coming out of high school.
Mills committed to play college football at Louisiana State University (LSU) under head coach Les Miles. His early development in the LSU program would set the foundation for his eventual NFL career and All-American recognition.
Path to the NFL
Mills arrived at LSU in 2012 as a true freshman and immediately earned a starting role. He started all 13 games at cornerback during his freshman season, recording 57 tackles and two interceptions. His consistency continued as he started all 13 games again in his sophomore year, accumulating 67 tackles, three interceptions, and three sacks. As a junior in 2014, Mills transitioned to safety while starting 12 games and adding one more interception to his totals.
His senior season in 2015 was impacted by injury, as Mills missed the first six games due to a fractured fibula and torn ankle ligaments sustained in August 2015. Despite this setback, he returned to earn first-team All-American honors from CBS Sports, solidifying his draft stock despite the injury concerns that would affect his professional draft position.
Jalen Mills Career
Philadelphia Eagles (2016–2020)
The Philadelphia Eagles selected Jalen Mills in the seventh round with the 233rd overall pick in the 2016 NFL Draft. On May 4, 2016, the Eagles signed him to a four-year contract worth $2.41 million, including a $75,856 signing bonus. Mills competed for a backup cornerback role throughout training camp and began his rookie season as the fourth cornerback on the Eagles’ depth chart.
Mills made his professional debut on September 11, 2016, against the Cleveland Browns, recording two solo tackles in the 29-10 victory. He earned his first career start in Week 6 against the Washington Redskins, finishing with a season-high seven combined tackles. Overall, Mills played in all 16 games with two starts as a rookie, recording 61 combined tackles and seven passes defensed.
His second season in 2017 marked a significant breakthrough. Mills earned his first career interception in the season opener against the Washington Redskins, picking off Kirk Cousins in the end zone and returning it 15 yards. He recorded a season-high 12 combined tackles in Week 3 against the New York Giants. In October 2017, Mills intercepted Cam Newton of the Carolina Panthers and later returned an interception for a touchdown against the San Francisco 49ers, earning NFC Defensive Player of the Week honors. He appeared in the NFC Championship game and Super Bowl LII, where the Eagles defeated the New England Patriots 41-33 to win the franchise’s first Super Bowl championship.
Mills entered the 2018 season as a starting cornerback but suffered a foot injury in Week 8, causing him to miss four games before being placed on injured reserve in December. He began the 2019 season on the reserve/physically unable to perform list due to the lingering foot injury, being activated in October. In Week 7 against the Dallas Cowboys, Mills recorded an interception in the end zone off Dak Prescott. He appeared in nine games with 41 tackles and one interception that season.
On March 24, 2020, Mills signed a one-year contract extension with the Eagles and switched to jersey number 21 while transitioning to play safety. During the 2020 season, he recorded 1.5 sacks, 74 tackles, one interception, and one forced fumble across 15 starts. The Eagles placed him on the reserve/COVID-19 list on December 31, 2020.
New England Patriots Era (2021–2023)
On March 19, 2021, Mills signed a four-year, $24 million contract with the New England Patriots. In his first season, he served primarily as the second cornerback behind J.C. Jackson, finishing with 47 tackles, seven passes defensed, and one fumble recovery in 16 games started. The 2022 season saw Mills record 31 tackles, two interceptions, and five passes defensed in ten games started.
The Patriots released Mills on March 17, 2023, but re-signed him just five days later. He did not finish the season with the team as his tenure in New England concluded after three seasons.
Recent Teams (2024–2025)
Mills signed with the New York Giants on March 12, 2024, but his tenure was brief as he was released from the NFI list in August. He subsequently joined the New York Jets practice squad on September 24, 2024, before being promoted to the active roster in October. With the Jets, Mills appeared in nine games with eight starts, recording 44 tackles, one interception, and six passes defensed before being placed on injured reserve in December.
In August 2025, Mills signed with the Houston Texans but was released during final roster cuts. He rejoined the team on the practice squad in September and was promoted to the active roster in December. Mills was released three days later following the acquisition of Naquan Jones. On December 10, 2025, the Detroit Lions claimed Mills off waivers, adding the veteran safety to their roster for the remainder of the season.
Defensive Style and Strengths
Mills has demonstrated versatility throughout his career, playing both cornerback and safety positions. His ability to cover multiple positions has made him a valuable depth piece for various defensive schemes. Mills shows instincts in reading quarterbacks and break on passes, evidenced by his interception totals across multiple seasons. His experience in high-pressure situations, including playoff games and a Super Bowl victory, provides leadership qualities valued by defensive coordinators.
Notable Events and Milestones
His most celebrated moment came during the 2017 season when he returned an interception for a touchdown against the San Francisco 49ers, earning NFC Defensive Player of the Week recognition. Mills followed this by playing every defensive snap in the NFC Championship game against the Minnesota Vikings and then in Super Bowl LII as the Eagles captured their first championship. His Super Bowl victory remains a career-defining achievement in his professional journey.
Jalen Mills Career Statistics
Across nine NFL seasons from 2016 through 2025, Mills has accumulated substantial statistical production as a defensive player. His career has included appearances with the Philadelphia Eagles, New England Patriots, New York Giants, New York Jets, Houston Texans, and Detroit Lions, demonstrating his longevity in the league.
NFL Career Totals (2016–2025)
Mills has recorded 460 career total tackles, 1.5 sacks, three forced fumbles, one fumble recovery, 60 pass deflections, and eight interceptions across his NFL career. He has also scored one defensive touchdown. These statistics reflect a consistent performer who has contributed across multiple facets of defensive play throughout his professional career.
Key Seasonal Highlights
His most productive statistical seasons came during his time with the Philadelphia Eagles, where he started a combined 46 games across five seasons. The 2020 season with the Eagles saw him post 74 tackles and 1.5 sacks while transitioning to the safety position. His interception totals have been spread throughout his career, demonstrating consistent ball skills that have kept him on NFL rosters for nearly a decade.
| Category | Career Total |
|---|---|
| Total Tackles | 460 |
| Sacks | 1.5 |
| Interceptions | 8 |
| Pass Deflections | 60 |
| Forced Fumbles | 3 |
| Defensive Touchdowns | 1 |
Jalen Mills Family
Personal Life
Mills is nicknamed the “Green Goblin” for his distinctive green hair, a moniker that has become synonymous with his on-field identity. His personal life has included some legal matters, including a 2014 incident in Baton Rouge involving second-degree battery allegations that were ultimately denied by Mills, who stated his girlfriend was responsible for assaulting the victim. In April 2019, Mills was arrested and charged with disorderly affray following an altercation with Devin Robinson outside a Washington, D.C. nightclub. Details regarding his family background, marital status, or children have not been publicly verified.
2025 Season Performance
The 2025 season represented a year of movement for Mills, who appeared with three different organizations. After signing with the Houston Texans in August, he spent time on both the active roster and practice squad before being claimed off waivers by the Detroit Lions in December. The Lions’ decision to add Mills reflects his continued value as an experienced defensive back capable of playing multiple positions in the secondary. As Mills joins the Lions for the final stretch of the 2025 season, he brings veteran experience and positional flexibility to a team competing for playoff positioning. His ability to contribute on special teams and provide depth at safety makes him a potential asset for Detroit’s defensive plans.