Tony Jefferson

At 32 years old, Tony Jefferson has this physical status:

High school career

Jefferson played for Eastlake High School in Chula Vista, California, where he made 88 tackles, 12 tackles for loss, four sacks, two fumbles were made, two fumbles were recovered, two fumbles were retrieved, two fumbles were forfeited, two fumbles were recovered, and two fumbles were returned, leading Eastlake to the San Diego Division 1 CIF championship in his senior year. He was selected as a 2009 USA Today All-American pick. Jefferson, who was rated as the No. 119th best recruit by Rivals.com, was rated as the No. 58 on the site. In the class of 2010, there was a 4th cornerback prospect. He competed in the 2010 U.S. Army All-American Bowl.

College career

Jefferson was a 2010 freshman All-American by College Football News, The Sporting News, and the Big 12 Conference co-Defensive Freshman of the Year (along with OSU Cowboys linebacker Shaun Lewis).

Professional career

Jefferson would miss his senior season and enter the 2013 NFL Draft on January 6, 2013. Jefferson was ranked as the fifth best safety candidate in the draft by ESPN prior to the NFL Combine. He was one of 21 out of 21 candidates to attend the NFL Scouting Combine in Indianapolis, Indiana. He completed the majority of drills before suffering a hamstring injury that severely restricted his ability to run at the combine. His 40-yard dash was his second slowest time in all 18 safeties that participated. Jefferson attended Oklahoma's pro day on March 18, 2013, but he missed the short shuttle and three-cone drill due to a hamstring injury. His reputation was put into question after WalterFootball.com announced a scouting report stating that it had obtained reports from reliable sources that he had practiced habits and an attitude, but that was quickly dismissed after teammates and coaching staff in Oklahoma debunk the allegations. The allegations were later denied by the website. NFL Draft experts and scouts estimated that he could be drafted as early as the second or third rounds, or even as late as the fifth round. DraftScout.com and SB Nation ranked Jefferson as the eighth best safety in the draft.

After going undrafted in the 2013 NFL Draft, the Arizona Cardinals signed Jefferson to a three-year, $1.49 million contract with a signing bonus of $10,100. Analysts were taken aback by his fall in the draft, partly due to his participation in the 40-yard dash and concerns about his work ethic.

Jefferson competed for a roster spot as a backup safety against Jonathon Amaya, Curtis Taylor, Javon Harris, and Josh Hill throughout training camp.

During a 12–7 victory over the Dallas Cowboys in their second preseason game, Jefferson recorded five combined tackles and intercepted two passes by Alex Tanney and Kyle Orton on August 17, 2013. Jefferson, the backup strong safety behind Yeremiah Bell, was named to begin the regular season after he did well in the preseason and collected 14 total tackles (13 solo), two interceptions, and a sack.

In the Arizona Cardinals' season-opening 27-24 loss at the St. Louis Rams, he made his first appearance in the NFL. During a 25–22 victory over the Detroit Lions in Week 2, Jefferson made his first appearance in his career and made three solo tackles. Reggie Bush made his first appearance on running backs, defeating him by four yards in the first quarter. During the 13–10 victory over the Tampa Bay Buccaneers on September 29, 2013, Jefferson made a season-high seven combined tackles. Tyrann Mathieu's snaps increased for the last three games of the season (Weeks 15-17) after he ligamentized two ligaments in his knee and was out of action for the remainder of the season. He made his second appearance in Week 16 by replacing free safety Rashad Johnson, who was inactive due to an injury sustained the previous week. Jefferson had four combined tackles against the Seattle Seahawks, winning by 17–10 at the Seattle Seahawks. He had 24 total tackles (19 solo) and a fumble revival in 16 games and two starts in 2013 in his rookie season.

Jefferson was the starting strong defense against Rashad Johnson and rookie first round pick Deone Bucannon during OTA's and training camp. Jefferson is the starting strong defenseman of the regular season, according to offensive coordinator Todd Bowles, as well as free safety Tyrann Mathieu. Mathieu's knee injury was later replaced by Rashad Johnson as the starting free safety for the season.

During a 23-14 victory over the San Francisco 49ers, Jefferson made ten combined tackles (eight solo) and his first tackle dismissal on quarterback Colin Kaepernick. In the Cardinals' 24–20 victory over the Philadelphia Eagles on October 26, 2014, he had a season-high 12 combined tackles (11 solo) and broken up a pass. After Tyrann Mathieu fully recovered from his knee injury, Jefferson was recalled as the starting free safety before Week 10. He was the back-up for four games for four games (Weeks 10-13). During a 29–18 loss at the Atlanta Falcons, Mathieu sustained a fractured thumb. Jefferson played for three games (Weeks 14-16), while Mathieu recovered from surgery to rebuild his fractured thumb. Jefferson had seven solo tackles on December 26, 2014, after the Cardinals were defeated 35–6 by the Seattle Seahawks. Jefferson finished the 2014 season with 79 combined tackles (70 solo), a pass deflection, and a suspension in 16 games and eight starts. Throughout 2014, Jefferson, Johnson, Mathieu, and Bucannon all worked part of time and rotated at both safety positions. Jefferson and Johnson were asked to play in the Cardinals' base formations and secured the majority of the snaps, while Bucannon was given opportunities that required the player to play in the box. Mathieu was the designated safety for nickel packages. For 70 defensive snaps, the four safeties were on the field.

With an 11–5 record, the Arizona Cardinals came in second in the NFC West, finishing second in the NFC West. In the Cardinals' 27-16 loss to the Carolina Panthers in the NFC Wildcard Game on January 3, 2015, Jefferson played in his first appearance in his career and finished with seven combined tackles.

Jefferson returned to training camp for the job, starting with a solid defense against Deone Bucannon. Jefferson's defensive coordinator James Bettcher said the team was off to a promising start in the 2015 season, as opposed to free safety Tyrann Mathieu.

During a 48-23 victory over the Chicago Bears on September 20, 2015, Jefferson recorded nine solo tackles, a pass deflection, and made his first career interception off a pass by quarterback Jay Cutler for a 26-yard touchdown. His interception came off a pass-through for Martellus Bennett in the second quarter and his first career touchdown. In a 42–16 win over the Detroit Lions, he had a season-high 12 combined tackles (eight solo), a pass deflection, and forced two fumbles. During the Cardinals' 19-13 victory over the San Francisco 49ers on November 29, 2015, Jefferson made six combined tackles and a sack on Blaine Gabbert. Jefferson finished his third season with 78 combined tackles (58 solo), five pass deflections, three forced fumbles, two interceptions, and a touchdown in 16 games and seven starts. His 78 tackles were the fourth most on the team. Jefferson received an overall rating of 81.3, placing him 18th out of all qualifying safeties in 2015.

The Arizona Cardinals finished first in the NFC West with a 13–3 record and earned a first round bye. In the NFC Divisional Round, the Cardinals defeated the Green Bay Packers 26-20. In the Cardinals' 49-45 loss to the Carolina Panthers on January 24, 2016, Jefferson began for the Cardinals in the NFC Championship and collected 11 combined tackles (five solo) and a pass deflection.

The Arizona Cardinals committed Jefferson to a one-year, $1.67 million tender with a right of first refusal.

He trained for the position as the beginning of a good defense against D.J. Swearinger. Jefferson was the back-up strong safety behind D.J., according to head coach Bruce Arians. The Swearinger will be the first in the regular season.

In their 23-21 loss, he started the Arizona Cardinals' season-opener against the New England Patriots and saw ten combined tackles (nine solo) on their 23-21 loss. In the Cardinals' 40–7 victory over the Tampa Bay Buccaneers last week, he recorded a season-high 11 combined tackles (nine solo) on the following week. During a 26-23 loss to the Miami Dolphins on December 11, 2016, Jefferson had ten combined tackles (seven solo) on December 11, 2016. In Week 16, he made seven solo tackles before losing the Cardinals' 35–6 loss to the Seattle Seahawks in the second quarter after suffering a knee injury while covering a punt. On December 27, 2016, he was diagnosed with a strained MCL and was placed on injured reserve. With a career-high 96 combined tackles (78 solo), five pass deflections, two sacks, two fumble recoveries, and two forced fumbles in 15 games and 14 starts, he finished his last season with the Cardinals.

Since finishing second in the NFC West with a 7–8-1 record, the Arizona Cardinals did not qualify for the playoffs in 2016. Jefferson was given an overall rating of 88.6, ranking him fifth among all qualifying safeties in 2016.

After the 2016 season, Jefferson was named as the second best free agent on the market after Kansas City Chiefs' safety Eric Berry. Multiple franchises, including the Chicago Bears, expressed curiosity in him. Jefferson had been offered from the Cleveland Browns and the New York Jets, according to them.

The Baltimore Ravens agreed Jefferson to a four-year, $34 million contract, with $19 million guaranteed and a signing bonus of $10 million.

He arrived in training camp as the beginning of a healthy defense system, swapping Lardarius Webb for Lardarius Webb. As a head coach John Harbaugh, he and free safety Eric Weddle were officially named as the starters to start the season. During their 20-0 win, quarterback Andy Dalton started the Baltimore Ravens' season-opener against the Cincinnati Bengals, receiving nine combined tackles and a sack on him. In Week 12, he had three combined tackles, deflected a pass, and intercepted Tom Savage's pass in the Ravens' 23-16 victory over the Houston Texans. During a 39–38 loss to the Pittsburgh Steelers on December 10, 2017, Jefferson made a season-high 11 combined tackles (eight solo) and was credited with half a sack. For a nine-yard loss in the fourth quarter, Jefferson and teammate Terrell Suggs sacked Roethlisberger. He played for 79 total tackles (56 solo), 2.5 sacks, two pass deflections, and an interception in 16 games and 16 starts in his first season with the Baltimore Ravens. Jefferson received an overall rating of 82.4, which ranked 24th among all qualifying safeties in 2017.

Jefferson was back for the Ravens in 2018, with the Ravens showing a strong sense of security in 2018. He played 14 games, totaling 74 yards, a forced fumble, an interceptor, and a career-best six pass deflections.

Jefferson was in coverage on October 6, 2019, against the Steelers, when he collapsed to the ground, grabbing his knee. It was announced after the game that he tore his ACL, effectively ending his season. In overtime, the Ravens won the game 26–23. Jefferson was put on season-ending injured reserve the next day.

The Ravens cut Jefferson on February 14, 2020, releasing him on February 14, 2020.

Jefferson was signed to a one-year, $1 million deal with the San Francisco 49ers on June 7, 2021. On August 12, 2021, he was put on wounded reserve and then released on August 23, 2021. On October 25, 2021, he was recalled to the practice squad. After playing in two games, he was released on December 8, 2021.

Jefferson was recalled to the Baltimore Ravens practice squad on December 13, 2021. Jefferson was promoted to the active roster on January 8, 2022.

Jefferson re-signed with the Ravens on February 24, 2022.

Jefferson was released by the Ravens on August 30, 2022.

Jefferson signed with the New York Giants' practice squad on September 1, 2022. Jefferson was recalled from the practice squad for Week 1 and Week 2 against the Tennessee Titans and Carolina Panthers. He was promoted to the active roster on October 8, 2022. He was put on injured reserve with a foot injury on October 15, 2022.

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