Jonathan Owens Career Story: From Undrafted NFL Journey to Chicago Bears Safety
Jonathan Owens has become one of those athletes people talk about for more than just stats—partly because of his NFL grind, and partly because his life off the field intersects with global sports fame. Still, the real hook is simpler: he went undrafted, kept fighting for roster spots, and carved out a legitimate career at the sport’s hardest level. Here’s who he is, what he’s done, and why his story keeps pulling attention.
Who is Jonathan Owens?
Jonathan Owens is an American professional football player who plays safety in the NFL. He entered the league as an undrafted free agent and worked his way into meaningful snaps through persistence, special-teams value, and steady development as a defender. In recent seasons, he’s been listed as a Chicago Bears safety, wearing jersey number 36, and has continued building a reputation as a tough, reliable role player who does a lot of the gritty work that doesn’t always show up in highlight montages.
Owens is also widely recognized in mainstream pop culture as the husband of Olympic gymnast Simone Biles, but his football identity stands on its own: a player who had to earn everything the hard way, then stayed ready long enough for opportunities to finally stick.
Early life and the foundation of his athletic edge
Owens was born and raised in the St. Louis, Missouri area and attended Christian Brothers College High School, a place known locally for serious athletics and structure. That background matters because safeties typically develop a certain mindset early: you have to be willing to tackle, willing to communicate, willing to make mistakes in space and come back the next play like nothing happened. It’s not a “hide in the system” position. It’s a “solve problems in real time” job.
By the time Owens reached college age, he wasn’t being framed as a can’t-miss national recruit. That’s the first thread in his larger story: he has repeatedly had to prove he belongs, step by step, without the cushion of early hype.
Missouri Western: where he built the résumé the NFL noticed
Owens played college football at Missouri Western State University. If you only follow major programs, you might not realize how steep the climb can be from a smaller school to the NFL. The margin for error is thin. You don’t get drafted on brand name. You get drafted—or signed—on traits, film, measurables, and whether teams believe you can survive the speed jump.
At Missouri Western, Owens developed into the kind of defender who’s comfortable around the ball and around contact. That’s the profile that gives undrafted players a chance: be versatile, be coachable, be tough, and show enough athletic ability that a team can imagine you on special teams right away.
Going undrafted and the reality of the NFL grind
Owens entered the NFL in 2018 as an undrafted free agent. That label follows players longer than fans realize. Drafted players are often given extra time because teams have invested a pick. Undrafted players can be cut fast, sometimes for reasons that have nothing to do with talent—depth chart math, injuries elsewhere, scheme changes, or a new coaching staff that prefers different traits.
For a safety, the early years are especially unforgiving. You’re asked to play multiple roles, cover in space, tackle in the box, learn the playbook quickly, and contribute on special teams. If you’re not starting, you still have to be trusted—because a safety is often one snap away from being the last line of defense.
Owens’ path included time with multiple organizations, building experience and staying in the league long enough to turn opportunity into stability. That alone is a career accomplishment. A lot of talented players never make it past the revolving door phase.
Finding traction: role, responsibilities, and what he does well
Owens isn’t typically described as a “flashy” safety whose game depends on constant interceptions or viral moments. His value tends to show up in the less glamorous parts of the position: tackling, angles, effort in pursuit, handling assignments, and doing his job within a defensive structure.
Safeties live in the space between chaos and control. One play you’re deep, reading a quarterback’s eyes. The next, you’re filling downhill like a linebacker. The best ones communicate constantly, keep leverage, and erase mistakes with hustle. Owens has steadily leaned into that kind of identity—one that coaches usually appreciate because it stabilizes the unit.
He’s also the kind of player who can matter on special teams, which is often the fastest way for a non-star defender to stay active on game day. That “do-everything” reliability is how many players last, especially in defensive back rooms that churn every offseason.
Chicago Bears chapter: contract, role, and what comes next
Owens has been listed as a Chicago Bears safety, and contract reporting has described him signing a two-year deal with the Bears in 2024 that runs through the 2025 season. If you’re looking at his near-term future, that detail matters: a contract end date often shapes whether a player is battling for the next deal, competing for a bigger role, or simply trying to stay in the right system.
By early 2026, offseason coverage around the Bears’ safety room has suggested potential turnover and free-agency decisions, including discussion of Owens as part of that broader roster puzzle. That doesn’t guarantee any outcome—it’s just the nature of the NFL. Defensive back rooms get rebuilt quickly, and mid-tier veterans often have to re-win their spot every year.
The practical takeaway is this: Owens has already done the hardest part—he became a real NFL player after going undrafted. The next stage is about longevity: staying healthy, staying scheme-flexible, and landing in the right situation where his strengths are clearly valued.
Public spotlight: marriage to Simone Biles and what it changed
Owens’ visibility expanded dramatically through his relationship with Simone Biles. They publicly shared their engagement in 2022 and married in 2023. That’s now part of his public identity, whether he asked for the spotlight or not.
Here’s what’s important to understand if you’re trying to keep the story fair: being married to one of the most famous athletes on earth can distort how people talk about you. Some fans reduce him to “Simone Biles’ husband,” while others judge his entire character based on a handful of podcast clips or headlines. But the reality is more normal: two elite athletes met, built a relationship, and support each other while juggling insane schedules and constant public attention.
Owens has also shown up in major sports moments simply by being present for Biles’ competitions, including international events. That visibility can be a double-edged sword. It’s a privilege, but it also puts every casual comment under a microscope in a way most NFL role players never experience.
What makes his story relatable to fans
Owens resonates with a lot of people because his career doesn’t read like a scripted superstar arc. It reads like real life: a talented athlete with something to prove, bouncing through uncertainty, staying ready, and finally sticking.
That kind of career creates a specific mental toughness. You learn to handle being overlooked. You learn to compete without guarantees. You learn that your “break” might come after years of preparation, not after one lucky moment.
Even if you don’t follow the Bears closely, you can still recognize the theme. Owens is part of the NFL’s backbone class: players who may not lead the league in headlines, but who keep defenses functional, keep special teams sharp, and make rosters work.
Featured Image Source: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jonathan_Owens
