Jonah Jackson

NFC North Rumors: Bears, Bradbury, Lions

January 28th, 2023 at 4:36pm CST by Ely Allen

The Bears made waves recently when they announced the addition of Big Ten Commissioner Kevin Warren as the new president and CEO in Chicago. The addition resulted in a number of questions about Warren’s responsibilities and how they will compare to those of general manager Ryan Poles. While Poles will report to Warren in the grand scheme of things, the Bears will leave the football aspect of the team to Poles, allowing Warren to focus on business, according to Adam Jahns of The Athletic.

This is similar to Warren’s past roles in the NFL, specifically his time in Minnesota as chief operating officer. Warren worked hand-in-hand with former Vikings general manager Rick Spielman for several years before Warren moved on to the Big Ten. Spielman told Jahns that he operated with Warren in a similar manner to how the Bears plan to operate, with Spielman focused on football and Warren on business. The only difference in Chicago is that, while Spielman and Warren both reported to Vikings’ ownership, Poles is now reporting directly to Warren.

Here are a few other rumors from around the NFC North concerning some likely offseason transactions:

Vikings center Garrett Bradbury struggled as a first-round selection up until this season. In his first three years of NFL football, Bradbury’s best season in 2020 saw him rank 25th out of 36 graded centers, according to Pro Football Focus (subscription required). The other two years saw Bradbury rank 28th in 2019 and 29th in 2021, leading to Minnesota declining his fifth-year option heading into this season. After a hot start to the season that considerably raised his stock as a pending free agent, Bradbury iterated that he loved his team and preferred to stay in Minnesota. Three and a half months later and Bradbury finished off his hot season for a career year that saw him rank 11th out of 38 graded centers. With free agency on the horizon, Bradbury was asked again and, according to Chris Tomasson of the St. Paul Pioneer Press, he reiterated his desires to re-sign with the team that drafted him.
Unlike Bradbury, Lions guard Jonah Jackson is fully locked into his starting position at left guard heading into his contract year. If he has his way, though, the 25-year-old won’t even sniff free agency. Jackson told Dave Birkett of the Detroit Free Press that he is fully open to remaining with the Lions long-term. “I would retire in Detroit,” Jackson said. “I would love to be a Lion forever. I love the city.” Jackson isn’t expected to earn a top guard contract but still may fetch a significant deal worth $13-15MM. He made sure to clarify that if it doesn’t happen, he doesn’t intend to hold out. “If it doesn’t (happen), I’m the same guy, the same 73 who showed up for work every day from COVID Year 1 to now…If it happens, it happens. If it doesn’t, it doesn’t.”
Another player who is getting ahead of free agency, Bears wide receiver Darnell Mooney signed with a new agency in advance of potential contract extension negotiations, according to the official Twitter account of Athletes First sports agency. Mooney came back down to reality this year after a stellar 2021 season, partially due to injuries that kept him out of the final five games of the season. Mooney still has the ability to be a 1,000-yard receiver like he was a year ago and should benefit from another year of experience and improvement for quarterback Justin Fields. Taking action with his representation could indicate that Mooney is ready to start working towards a long-term extension before a contract year next season.

Lions G Jonah Jackson Bypasses Surgery, Aims To Return Soon

September 29th, 2022 at 2:07pm CST by Sam Robinson

Jonah Jackson has not played since the Lions’ Week 1 Eagles matchup. The Pro Bowl guard played every Detroit offensive snap in that game, but a finger injury sustained in practice days later has kept him sidelined since.

Rather than go through with a surgery that would have led to an IR stay, Jackson is attempting to rehab this issue — a bone and ligament malady in his right ring finger — in order to return quicker, Dave Birkett of the Detroit Free Press notes. The third-year blocker is aiming to return before the Lions’ Week 6 bye; he is not expected to play against the Seahawks this week. Jackson cannot currently bend the injured finger, per Birkett, who adds this issue is supposed to require a splint for six weeks.

A Pro Bowl alternate in 2021, Jackson has become a quick study in Detroit. The Lions’ previous regime selected him in Round 3 out of Ohio State (after four years at Rutgers), and the Big Ten-developed lineman did not miss a start for the Lions over his first two seasons. His absence this year has further wounded a Lions line missing multiple bodies.

Lions backups have been needed at both guard spots this season. Right guard Halapoulivaati Vaitai underwent back surgery and is going through a lengthy recovery timetable; he has not played this season. Center Frank Ragnow, after a toe injury forced him to miss most of last season, missed Week 2 with turf toe. Backup guard Tommy Kraemer is on IR. Detroit’s starting O-line has not played a snap together this season, and Week 1 marked the only time four of the Lions’ front five have appeared in the same game.

Taylor Decker missed eight games last season with an injury to his left index finger, the longtime Detroit left tackle did undergo surgery, however. Jackson has resumed work on a side field but has not logged an official practice since sustaining the injury. Ragnow missed the Lions’ Wednesday practice with the toe injury but played through that ailment last week. Their interior issues notwithstanding, the Lions will enter Week 4 with both tackles (Decker and Penei Sewell) available.

Lions G Halapoulivaati Vaitai Undergoes Back Surgery

September 16th, 2022 at 10:36am CST by Sam Robinson

When the Lions placed Halapoulivaati Vaitai on IR shortly after finalizing their 53-man roster, the extent of his injury was unknown. Dan Campbell provided more clarity on the matter, which now appears to have the veteran guard facing an extended absence.

Vaitai underwent back surgery this week in Dallas, Justin Rogers of the Detroit News notes. Campbell is not ruling out the seventh-year blocker for the season, but the Lions will be without their right guard starter for an extensive stretch.

This news comes during a week in which the Lions placed Vaitai’s primary backup, Tommy Kraemer, on injured reserve. Kraemer also suffered a back injury, one that caused him to miss the team’s season opener. Third-year guard Logan Stenberg started against the Eagles and is expected to remain in that role in Week 2. Stenberg, a 2020 fourth-round pick, had not started a game through two seasons. He committed two penalties and allowed a sack in his debut.

Although Kraemer (three starts as a rookie last season) did not play in Week 1, the Lions waiting until this week to place him on IR means he cannot return until Week 6. It is uncertain if the former UDFA will be ready by then. Vaitai’s timetable became clouded because of his procedure. He could be staring at his longest absence as a pro.

A former fifth-round Eagles pick, Vaitai signed a five-year, $45MM deal with the Lions in 2020. Detroit’s Bob Quinn–Matt Patricia regime authorized that contract. Vaitai has moved from right tackle to right guard during his time with the Lions, who drafted Penei Sewell to play right tackle last year. The high-priced acquisition has started 25 games for the Lions in two seasons, including 15 last season. Vaitai is signed through 2024, though the team can escape the contract with just more than $5MM in dead money in 2023.

The Lions were expected to feature one of the NFL’s top offensive lines this season, but they have suddenly seen that unit depleted early. In addition to Vaitai’s shutdown, center Frank Ragnow and left guard Jonah Jackson missed practice Thursday. Left tackle Taylor Decker is battling a calf injury, leaving Sewell as the only Detroit O-line starter not dealing with an ailment presently. As a result of the injury troubles, the Lions signed guard Kayode Awosika off the Eagles’ practice squad this week.

Lions Sign Jonah Jackson

June 24th, 2020 at 10:40am CST by Zachary Links

It’s a done deal. On Wednesday, the Lions announced the signing of third-round guard Jonah Jackson.

Jackson began his college career at Rutgers before transferring to Ohio State. As a Buckeye, he put himself on the NFL radar and was named first-team All-Big Ten. Jackson’s work on the interior helped Justin Fields and J.K. Dobbins put up insane numbers in 2019.

That caught the attention of the Lions, who moved up ten spots in the third round to nab Jackson at No. 75 overall. In exchange, the Lions gave fifth- and sixth-round picks (Nos. 148 and 182) while also receiving a lesser a sixth-round choice (No. 197). Per the terms of his slot, Jackson will earn roughly $4.7MM over the course of his four-year deal. The pact includes a $1MM signing bonus.

With Jackson in the fold, the Lions now have four of their 2020 rooks signed. Here’s the full rundown of their class, via PFR’s 2020 NFL Draft Tracker:

1-3: Jeffrey Okudah, CB (Ohio State)
2-35: D’Andre Swift, RB (Georgia)
3-67: Julian Okwara, OLB (Notre Dame): Signed
3-75: Jonah Jackson, G (Ohio State): Signed
4-121: Logan Stenberg, OL (Kentucky): Signed
5-166: Quintez Cephus, WR (Wisconsin)
5-172: Jason Huntley, RB (New Mexico State)
6-197: John Penisini, DT (Utah): Signed
7-235: Jason Cornell, DE (Ohio State)

Lions Acquire No. 75 From Colts

April 24th, 2020 at 9:14pm CST by Sam Robinson

The Lions are moving up 10 spots in the third round. They will jump from No. 85 to 75, with the Colts facilitating the move.

In exchange for moving down 10 positions, the Colts will receive fifth- and sixth-round picks (Nos. 148 and 182). This will give the Colts five combined picks in Rounds 5 and 6. The Lions will also pick up a sixth-rounder (No. 197) in the deal.

With the pick, the Lions took Ohio State guard Jonah Jackson. A one-time Rutgers recruit, Jackson helped on an offense that featured prolific numbers from Justin Fields and J.K. Dobbins. A 2019 graduate transfer, Jackson received first-team All-Big Ten acclaim in his lone season with the Buckeyes.

Detroit lost longtime guard/center starter Graham Glasgow this offseason. With the team having not addressed its O-line in the draft, Jackson will be a prime candidate to challenge for the guard spot Glasgow vacated.