Jake Matthews

Born on February 11, 1992, in Missouri City, Texas, Jacob Thomas Matthews pursued his college football career at Texas A&M University. During his time at Texas A&M, he appeared in 52 games, starting his final 46 contests. He spent 33 games at right tackle before transitioning to left tackle for his final 13 games. Matthews was recognized for his collegiate performance, earning consensus All-American honors and being named a unanimous All-Southeastern Conference first-team selection as a senior. He also received the Bobby Bowden Award, which acknowledges on-field performance, academic achievement, and community involvement. These early achievements set the foundation for his professional football career.

Matthews was selected by the Atlanta Falcons as the sixth overall pick in the 2014 NFL Draft, marking the continuation of a notable family legacy in professional football. Since his NFL debut, he has consistently performed as a starting offensive tackle, playing in 184 games and starting every one of them to date. He holds the franchise record for consecutive games played and the longest active streak of starts in the NFL. Throughout his tenure with the Falcons, Matthews has contributed to significant offensive achievements, including blocking for offenses that set franchise records for points and total yards, and aiding in strong rushing performances. He was named to his first Pro Bowl in 2018 as a replacement.

His career progression with the Falcons includes multiple contract extensions, demonstrating his enduring value to the team. In 2018, he signed a five-year, $75 million extension, and in 2022, a three-year, $52.5 million extension. Most recently, in 2025, he agreed to a two-year, $45 million extension. Matthews has been a team captain for four consecutive seasons, highlighting his leadership within the organization. He has played over 1,000 snaps every season since 2015, maintaining a high level of performance and durability in a physically demanding role.