Josey Jewell

Josey Jewell (born December 25, 1994) is an American professional football linebacker. He played college football for the Iowa Hawkeyes, where he was a unanimous All-American and a three-time All-Big Ten selection. He was selected by the Denver Broncos in the 2018 NFL draft. He has also played for the Carolina Panthers.

Early life Jewell attended Decorah High School in Decorah, Iowa, where he played high school football as a linebacker and running back. Jewell helped his team appear in back-to-back 3A State Title Games, defeating Sioux City Bishop Heelan by a score of 49–21 in the 2012 game. His senior year, he finished the season with 1314 rushing yards, 21 rushing touchdowns, and 81 total tackles. Josey Jewell was rated as a two-star prospect by 247Sports with a composite score of .7783. He committed to the University of Iowa to play college football.

College career After redshirting his first year at Iowa in 2013, Jewell played in 11 games and made four starts in 2014. He finished the season with 51 tackles and one sack. As a sophomore in 2015, he started all 14 games and led the team with 126 tackles, three sacks, and four interceptions. As a junior in 2016, Jewell started all 13 games and again led the team with 124 tackles with 1.5 sacks. He was second-team All-Big Ten for the second straight season, and a finalist for the Butkus Award. As a senior in 2017, Jewell was named a unanimous All-American. He also won the Jack Lambert Award, was a finalist for the Bronko Nagurski Trophy, and was named the Big Ten Defensive Player of the Year after leading the Big Ten with 125 tackles.

Statistics Year GP Tackles For Loss Sacks Int Yards TD Passes Def FR FF 2014 11 51 1 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 2015 14 126 7.5 3 4 63 1 6 1 1 2016 13 124 6 1.5 0 0 0 9 0 1 2017 12 136 13.5 4.5 2 37 0 11 1 1 Totals 50 437 28 10 6 100 1 26 2 3

Professional career

Denver Broncos The Denver Broncos selected Jewell in the fourth round (106th overall) of the 2018 NFL draft. Jewell was the 14th linebacker drafted in 2018.

On May 10, 2018, the Denver Broncos signed Jewell to a four-year, $3.17 million contract that includes a signing bonus of $713,982.

He entered training camp and competed for a role as a backup inside linebacker against Zaire Anderson, Joseph Jones, Jerrol Garcia-Williams, and Keishawn Bierria.

In his second career NFL regular season game versus the Oakland Raiders, Jewell recorded two combined tackles.

In Week 4 of the 2020 season against the New York Jets on Thursday Night Football, Jewell recorded a team high ten tackles and sacked Sam Darnold twice during the 37–28 win.

On September 21, 2021, Jewell was placed on injured reserve with a pectoral injury.

On March 15, 2022, Jewell signed a two-year contract extension with the Broncos.

On December 11, 2022, Jewell recorded two interceptions and nine tackles in a 34–28 loss to the Kansas City Chiefs.

Carolina Panthers On March 13, 2024, Jewell signed a three-year, $22.75 million contract with the Carolina Panthers. On July 22, 2025, Jewell was released by the Panthers due to health concerns surrounding lingering concussion symptoms.

NFL career statistics Legend Bold Career high

Regular season Year Team Games Tackles Fumbles Interceptions GP GS Cmb Solo Ast Sck FF FR Yds TD Int Yds Avg Lng TD PD 2018 DEN 16 9 58 38 20 0.0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0.0 0 0 3 2019 DEN 15 3 38 21 17 1.5 0 2 0 0 0 0 0.0 0 0 0 2020 DEN 16 16 113 67 46 2.0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0.0 0 0 4 2021 DEN 2 2 8 7 2 0.0 1 0 0 0 0 0 0.0 0 0 1 2022 DEN 13 13 128 70 58 2.5 2 2 5 0 2 21 10.5 21 0 4 2023 DEN 16 15 108 60 48 3.0 2 3 10 0 0 0 0.0 0 0 3 2024 CAR 12 12 97 51 46 3.5 0 2 0 0 1 0 0.0 0 0 7 Career 90 70 550 314 236 12.5 5 9 15 0 3 21 7 21 0 22