The Saskatchewan Roughriders’ final catch of the 2026 CFL pre-season was made by a linebacker.

Vi Jones’ interception in the waning seconds of Saturday’s fourth quarter sealed the Saskatchewan Roughriders’ 31-27 victory over the Winnipeg Blue Bombers at Griffiths Stadium in Saskatoon.

“It was the first interception of my professional career,” Jones said after the Roughriders’ practised at Mosaic Stadium on Monday. “I’ve had a lot in practice, but not in a game setting.

“It was a great feeling, being in the right spot at the right time and catching the ball. I wish I could have taken it home.”

Jones is hoping to find a football home in Saskatchewan after spending time with the Seattle Seahawks (2022), Tampa Bay Buccaneers (2023-24) and Arizona Cardinals (2024-25).

He continued a rich family tradition by playing in the NFL — dressing for three games with Seattle (2022) and seven with Tampa Bay (2024).

His father, Robert Jones, was an NFL linebacker for 10 seasons after being drafted in the first round (24th overall) by the Dallas Cowboys in 1992.

In addition to being named the NFC’s top rookie, Jones capped the 1992 season by helping Dallas win the Super Bowl. In fact, the Cowboys won a title in three of his four seasons with the team.

“With the legacy my father started, all I knew was football while I was growing up,” Vi Jones said.

“I’m just respecting the game and trying to continue a legacy my father started — and to create a new one.”

The NFL ties extend to Vi’s brothers, receivers Zay and Cayleb Jones. Zay, who is currently with the Arizona Cardinals, made his NFL debut in 2017. Cayleb was with the Philadelphia Eagles (2016) and Minnesota Vikings (2016-18).

Their uncle, Jeff Blake, threw for 21,711 yards and 134 touchdowns during an NFL career that lasted from 1992 to 2005. Blake and Robert Jones were teammates at East Carolina.

“They called him Shake-and-Blake,” Vi Jones said with a laugh. “My uncle J.B., he definitely had a nice deep ball.

“I remember as a little kid, we would go to the fields and he would be throwing to my cousins and my brothers and coaching them up. I would be watching him and saying, ‘That is a fire deep ball,’ with the spiral and the rainbow arc and the way it lands.”

Vi Jones’ career arc took him to USC (2017-18) and North Carolina State (2019-21) before he signed with Seattle as an undrafted free agent.

The Seahawks took into consideration measurables from his pro day — such as a 4.52-second clocking in the 40-yard dash and a 36-inch vertical leap. Those are exceptional figures for a 6-foot-2, 225-pound linebacker.

“He’s a superior athlete for a man of his size,” Roughriders Head Coach Corey Mace said. “You saw a snippet of it with (the interception), but there’s what he possesses with his frame, his length and his athletic ability.

“He’s rangy for a linebacker. He obviously helps in coverage and being able to track perimeter runs and screens and stuff like that.

“We’re molding him into trying to be a special teams demon for us. You know how much we champion that play. He’s got all the physical tools to get that done.”

Jones led the Roughriders in special teams tackles (two) on Saturday, in addition to registering the game-clinching interception.

“I want to bring my skills, my competitive nature and my versatility to this team,” he said. “I want to continue helping us win games.

“This team won a Grey Cup last year. I want a piece of that. I want to feel what that’s like.

“I’ve been on winning teams, championship teams, but this is pro football and it’s the CFL. I want to win a Grey Cup as well and hoist that trophy at the end of the year.”

Along the way, he could add to his family’s collection of championship rings.

“This opportunity … honestly, it means everything,” concluded Jones, 28. “I’m just grateful and blessed to continue playing this game that I’ve played since I was little.

“I’m just fulfilling my dreams.”