He was selected by the Pittsburgh Steelers in the first round of the 2013 NFL draft, playing for them for four seasons before retiring following a short stint with the Arizona Cardinals in 2017.

He was later diagnosed with spinal stenosis and the USC medical staff would not clear him to play for the team again.

[2] He posted 70 total tackles including 19.5 for a loss, 13.5 sacks (which led the SEC),[8] 2 forced fumbles and 26 quarterback hurries.

[10] On January 13, 2012, head coach Mark Richt announced that Jones would return for his senior year.

[25] On October 29, 2013, head coach Mike Tomlin announced that Jones would be benched following the team's Week 8 loss against the Oakland Raiders.

[27] Jones came in to replace starting left outside linebacker LaMarr Woodley for the next three games, after he went down with an injury in Week 10.

[28] Jones began the 2014 season as the Steelers' starting right outside linebacker after the departure of LaMarr Woodley.

[32] On May 2, 2016, the Steelers declined the fifth-year option on Jones, making him a free agent after the 2016 season.

However, he has struggled to develop into an effective pass rusher and live up to expectations as a first-round draft pick.

[35] The selection of Jones has been labeled as the Steelers worst draft pick by Pro Football Focus dating back to 2006.

[39] His older brother, Darcell Kitchens, was murdered outside of a bar in Richland, Georgia, on January 9, 2005.

[41] He later unveiled a statue bust of himself along with other Subway sandwiches, following in the footsteps of quarterback Robert Griffin III.