ENGLEWOOD, Colo. — D.J. Jones’ first two seasons with the San Francisco 49ers didn’t see him set the world aflame. He started four games, posting two tackles for loss in 386 total snaps — one every 193 total plays.
Something changed after that. He worked his way into the starting lineup. Those tackles for loss became more frequent, increasing to a career-best one every 55 snaps last season, a year in which he posted 56 total tackles — nearly four times his average per season in the previous four years (17.5).
In Jones’ eyes, what changed was his motivation.
“I think it was figuring out my ‘why,’” he said Thursday.
His “why” was in the front row of the Broncos’ team meeting room, sitting in prime position to watch Jones meet Denver-area media for the first time.
“My family is my ‘why,’” he said. “My wife is my ‘why.’ It’s just playing for something bigger than myself.”
Jones’ wife, Kayla, is expecting their first child — a daughter. Life is about to change in myriad ways for them — not the least of which because of the $20 million in guaranteed money he will receive from the Broncos on his three-year contract.
That’s life-changing money.
And it was the possibility of it — and what it could do for the security of his family – that helped click his ‘why’ into focus.
“To be completely honest, just seeing other guys’ lives change,” Jones said. “Guys like DeForest Buckner, Arik Armstead, those guys, just being able to see their lives change through financials and being able to take care of their families. That drove me.
“I keep saying it, but it was a blessing. It was a blessing to know that I can take care of my family, take care of my child that’s on the way.”
The press conference at UCHealth Training Center was a generational affair. Jones’ parents looked on. His father — who was once the Dallas Cowboys’ chef and caterer and later prepared meals served at the Carolina Panthers’ Bank of America Stadium — watched with pride.
“Big Dave” Jones is a culinary wizard and a barbecue enthusiast. He has a line of barbecue sauces with his son’s picture on the label. In the 1990s, he was serving up barbecue to the players on the legendary Cowboys teams that won three Super Bowls.
“Emmitt Smith held me. Troy Aikman held me as a toddler,” Jones said.
Nowadays, the 305-pound Jones represents a towering presence. Holding him, in a football sense, draws a 10-yard penalty. And he doesn’t expect Broncos defensive coordinator Ejiro Evero to hold him to one spot.
“They plan on moving me around, and I’ve been moved around a lot before,” he said. “I’m ready for whatever they need me to do.”
And no matter where they have him on the line, the Broncos will have a player fueled by a pure and noble desire: to make a better life for his family.
