Zay Jones Bio
Isaiah Avery “Zay” Jones is an American professional football wide receiver for the Arizona Cardinals of the National Football League (NFL). Born on March 30, 1995, in Dallas, Texas, he played college football for the East Carolina Pirates and built one of the most prolific receiving résumés in NCAA history. He is the NCAA Division I all-time leader in career receptions with 399 and the single-season record holder with 158 catches in 2016. The son of a former NFL player, Jones has continued his football journey across multiple organizations since entering the league in 2017.
Zay Jones Early Life and Background
Jones was born on March 30, 1995, in Dallas, Texas, to Robert Jones and Maneesha Jones. His father, Robert Jones, spent ten years in the NFL as a professional football player, which gave the younger Jones a front-row view of the game’s demands and routines. He has two brothers, Cayleb and Levi, and his uncle is former NFL quarterback Jeff Blake, further connecting the family to professional football.
Jones grew up in a household shaped by the sport and followed a path that eventually led him to Stephen F. Austin High School in Austin, Texas. After completing his high school career, he committed to East Carolina University to play college football, choosing the Pirates over other programs. That decision set the stage for a record-setting college tenure that reshaped the school’s receiving record book.
Zay Jones Path to American Football
Jones arrived at East Carolina as a true freshman in 2013 and immediately contributed. He played in 13 games and made eight starts, finishing second on the team with 62 receptions for 604 yards and five touchdowns. The strong debut gave him confidence and a clear role in the Pirates’ passing attack.
As a sophomore, he produced 81 receptions for 830 yards and five touchdowns, then added 98 receptions for 1,099 yards and five touchdowns as a junior. During his senior season in 2016, he set a school record for receptions in a single game with 22, surpassing the previous mark of 17 held by Justin Hardy. He also broke the school record for receptions in a season and ultimately set the NCAA Division I single-season receptions record with 158, surpassing the previous mark of 155 set by Freddie Barnes of Bowling Green in 2009. He finished his career as the NCAA Division I all-time receptions leader with 399, breaking the record of 387 held by his former East Carolina teammate Justin Hardy. He was also named a finalist for the 2016 Biletnikoff Award, which recognizes the nation’s outstanding college receiver.
Zay Jones Career
Buffalo Bills Era (2017-2019)
The Buffalo Bills selected Jones in the second round with the 37th overall pick in the 2017 NFL Draft. On May 18, 2017, the Bills signed him to a four-year, $6.77 million contract with $3.84 million guaranteed and a signing bonus of $3.07 million. He made his NFL debut on September 10, 2017, recording one reception for 21 yards in a 21-12 victory over the New York Jets. In Week 9 against the Jets, he caught six passes for 53 yards and his first career receiving touchdown. Jones finished his rookie year with 316 receiving yards and two touchdowns in 15 games, though he later revealed he had played much of the season with a torn labrum that required offseason surgery.
Jones showed clear growth in 2018, even with a low-volume passing attack. In Week 2 against the Los Angeles Chargers, he caught a 57-yard pass from rookie quarterback Josh Allen, which stood as his new personal long reception and ranked as the second-longest air distance for a completed pass recorded by NFL NextGen Stats at that time. He recorded a 93-yard receiving game against the Jets in Week 10 and his first multi-touchdown game two weeks later against the Miami Dolphins. Jones finished 2018 as Buffalo’s leading receiver, with 56 receptions for 652 yards and seven touchdowns.
Oakland / Las Vegas Raiders Era (2019-2021)
On October 7, 2019, Jones was traded to the Oakland Raiders for a 2021 fifth-round pick. He appeared in 15 games and started nine that season, finishing with 27 receptions for 216 receiving yards. In 2020, he caught his first touchdown since 2018 during the Raiders’ first home game at Allegiant Stadium following the franchise’s relocation to Las Vegas, a 34-24 win over the New Orleans Saints. He appeared in 16 games in 2020, finishing with 14 receptions for 154 receiving yards and one touchdown.
Jones re-signed with the Raiders on a one-year contract on March 19, 2021. In Week 1 against the Baltimore Ravens, he caught a 31-yard touchdown that ended the game as the Raiders won 33-27 in overtime. He played all 17 games and started nine, recording 47 receptions for 546 receiving yards and one receiving touchdown.
Jacksonville Jaguars Era (2022-2023)
On March 16, 2022, Jones signed a three-year, $24 million contract with the Jacksonville Jaguars. In Week 15 against the Dallas Cowboys, he posted 109 receiving yards and three touchdowns in a 40-34 victory. Jones appeared in 16 games in 2022 and finished with 82 receptions for 823 receiving yards and five receiving touchdowns. In the Wild Card Round against the Chargers, he added eight receptions for 74 receiving yards and a touchdown in a 31-30 win.
In 2023, Jones appeared in nine games and started seven, finishing with 34 receptions for 321 yards and two touchdowns. On April 30, 2024, he was released by the Jaguars.
Arizona Cardinals Era (2024-Present)
On May 13, 2024, Jones signed a one-year contract with the Arizona Cardinals. On August 23, 2024, he was suspended five games for violating the NFL’s personal conduct policy. He appeared in 11 games and had eight receptions for 84 yards during the 2024 season. On March 11, 2025, Jones re-signed with the Cardinals on a one-year, $4.4 million contract. In eight appearances, he recorded 12 receptions for 183 yards before a season-ending torn Achilles suffered in Week 10 against the Seattle Seahawks on November 10, 2025. He was placed on injured reserve on November 12, 2025.
Zay Jones Family
Family Background and Football Lineage
Jones is the son of Robert Jones and Maneesha Jones. Robert Jones spent ten years in the NFL, giving the family a deep football background. He has two brothers, Cayleb and Levi, and his uncle is Jeff Blake, a former NFL quarterback.
Personal Life
Jones maintains a public presence off the field through social media, including his Instagram account, where he shares updates with fans. His long professional career has carried him through several organizations, from his draft team in Buffalo to stops in Oakland, Las Vegas, and Jacksonville, before joining the Arizona Cardinals.
2025 Season Performance
Jones re-signed with the Arizona Cardinals on March 11, 2025, on a one-year, $4.4 million contract, returning to the franchise after a limited 2024 season. He appeared in eight games and produced 12 receptions for 183 yards, offering a steady veteran presence in the receiver room. His role in 2025 has reflected his standing as an experienced target who can contribute on intermediate and situational routes.
His 2025 season ended abruptly on November 10, when he suffered a torn Achilles in Week 10 against the Seattle Seahawks, leading to a placement on injured reserve on November 12. Despite the shortened campaign, Jones had already provided valuable depth and reliability for the Cardinals’ passing offense.