Patrick Jones II’s journey started in Yokosuka, Japan, in September 1998. However, his family moved to Jacksonville when he was three years old. Two years later, they moved to Naples, Italy. After that? Back to Japan. He eventually returned to the States when he was 14, where his focus was set on one thing.
Football.
“Since returning to Japan, Jones knew he wanted to test out football,” wrote John McGonigal in the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette. “His cousins played stateside, and he grew bored of standing in the outfield, waiting for something to happen. He attended high school football games in Misawa when he was in elementary school – yes, Friday night lights are a thing over in Japan, too. Seeing the action up close, he craved it. ‘I wanted to go hit people.’”
The Vikings drafted Jones out of the University of Pittsburgh with the 90th pick in 2021. He recorded 21.5 sacks, 33 tackles for loss, and five forced fumbles at Pitt, where he shared a locker room with Brian O’Neill as a freshman.
Fast forward four years, and he has the second-most sacks in the NFL, trailing only Aidan Hutchinson, the second-overall pick in the 2022 draft.
Jones has had a strange career. In his rookie season, he never started and only received 99 total snaps. However, that’s not unusual for a rookie edge rusher unless you’re a first-round draft pick.
He never started in Year 2 either, although he still recorded four sacks, 27 total tackles, and eight tackles for a loss. Last year, Jones played in all 17 games and started in four but could only contribute one sack, 32 total tackles, and five tackles for a loss.
Jones has made an immediate impact this season. He hasn’t started in either of the first two games this year, yet he has posted up four sacks, one forced fumble, nine total tackles, and four tackles for loss. Jones’ career path is unusual for a fourth-year player. Down, up, down and then up again.
Minnesota’s constant change at defensive coordinator likely explains that inconsistency. Jones had to learn three new playbooks in his first three years. First, he learned under Mike Zimmer, then Ed Donatell, and now Brian Flores. This is the first season where he’s had the same defensive coordinators in back-to-back seasons.
It doesn’t hurt that he’s playing under one of the best DCs in the NFL. However, Jones has also improved as a player. He has played behind several above-average edge rushers, like Danielle Hunter, Marcus Davenport, Za’Darius Smith, and D.J. Wonnum. That allowed Jones to develop behind the scenes and stick around long enough for him to take over and become a defensive staple for Minnesota.
That takeover has begun, which is even more impressive considering he’s playing behind Jonathan Greenard, Dallas Turner, and Andrew Van Ginkel. Jones has the second-most sacks in the NFL as the fourth DE on the depth chart. It’s a testament to Minnesota’s depth on defense and proficiency.
Jones has earned his numbers. He developed in practice and then got some playing time before continuing to work on his game. Now he’s showing that he’s here to stay.
I can’t help but think that his resilience and persistence in becoming a valuable asset to Minnesota’s defense are related to his upbringing. Born in one country, on to the next, and then the next. Started with one defensive coordinator, on to the next, and then the next. Big contributions one year, minimal impact the next, and then back to contributing on the field. Jones has faced the adversity that comes along with adaptation his entire life, and now he’s on his way to conquering it.
Whether Patrick Jones II can continue this torrid start to the season remains to be seen. However, one thing is for sure: He’s here and not going away anytime soon.
