After two seasons playing for the United States National Team Development Program, Jones joined the Western Hockey League's (WHL) Portland Winterhawks.

At the same time he decided he wanted to play for the United States National Team Development Program (NTDP).

Jones registered 21 points in 37 games of the NTDP season, which included league play in the United States Hockey League (USHL), plus international play and games against division II and III National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) teams.

[11] He continued to serve as co-captain the following season, but slipped to second on the team in defense scoring registering 31 points in 52 total games.

[15] While playing for Portland, Jones was projected to be a top selection in the 2013 National Hockey League (NHL) Entry Draft.

[19] In the final Jones scored a goal in a 6–4 loss, draft rivals Nathan MacKinnon and Jonathan Drouin each recorded 5 points for Halifax.

He was named to the First All-Star Team of the Western Conference and won the Jim Piggott Memorial Trophy as WHL rookie of the year.

[23] Despite the ranking, the Avalanche, who held the top pick, announced that they would not select Jones and used it to draft Halifax Mooseheads forward Nathan MacKinnon.

[26] Jones made his National Hockey League debut with the Nashville Predators on October 3, 2013, against the St. Louis Blues.

[28] During the last year of his entry-level contract in the 2015–16 season, on January 6, 2016, Jones was traded by the Predators to the Columbus Blue Jackets in exchange for center Ryan Johansen.

[30] On June 29, 2016, as an impending restricted free agent, Jones agreed to a long-term extension, signing a six-year, $32.4 million contract to remain with the Blue Jackets.

[32] Jones was activated off injured reserve after missing six games,[33] and ended the season with career highs in assists, goals, and points.

During the 2017–18 season, Jones developed into one of the Blue Jackets top defenseman, playing an average of 24:36 minutes per game.

[34] As a result of his hard work, Jones was selected to represent the Metropolitan Division at the 2018 NHL All-Star Game.

[38] However, he was able to return when the season resumed for the postseason, being activated off injured reserve on June 18, 2020, and deemed eligible to play in the Stanley Cup playoffs.

[39][40] During Game 1 of the team's first-round match-up against the Tampa Bay Lightning, Jones skated an NHL-record 65:06 during a 3-2 quintuple overtime loss.

In the tournament Jones scored a goal and registered four points, helping Team USA to a first-place finish.

[55][56][57] For the 2013 World Junior Ice Hockey Championships Jones was named one of Team USA's alternate captains.

[62] In the playoff round USA defeated the Czech Republic and the Canadians to earn a spot in the gold medal game.