The Jets got safety Jalen Mills to put pen to paper for the practice squad. But now he has been elevated to the active roster. For Mills, in terms of record, he’s not exactly hitting greener pastures here—the Jets sit at 2-6, the same as the Pats who are 2 and 6. But still, he’s landed with Gang Green, and maybe a fresh start is all he needs to make an impact.

Standing at 6 foot and 200 pounds, Mills was elevated for the last two games, including last week’s matchup in Pittsburgh, where he even snagged a starting role. With 74 defensive snaps and another 10 on special teams, he’s already chipping in.

Now, for those of you who might not be following his career, Mills spent his last three seasons at Foxborough. Did he start? Oh! Yes, in 34 of his 43 appearances. And now you can expect him to bring that experience to the Gang.

But even before the Pats, the Eagles made him a pro by drafting him in the seventh round out of LSU in 2016. And the crazy part? He worked with current Jets GM Joe Douglas at the time. Plus, he was not there to warm the bench. Instead, he started 49 of 63 games. Talking about his numbers? He racked up five interceptions, 40 pass defenses, a forced fumble, and over 280 tackles.

There’s hope that he can finally have the same conversion for the Gang Green. But that’s just a hope as of now. And he’s got a long way to go, before he can actually help the Jets take off this season (because let’s be honest, they are stuck on the runway with such a start).

But there’s one thing we can all agree on: that it’s a winner’s resume right there! Mills is not just a journeyman safety. He can be the guy if put to good work. And behind all those stats? His mom, Kisa Jackson. Ah! The superwoman in his life. A single mom with a mantra: if you’re gonna do something, stick to it. Mills is doing just that, proving that sometimes a little maternal wisdom goes a long way.

Who is Jalen Mills’ mom, Kisa?

Behind every NFL success story, there’s usually someone in the background doing the unglamorous work. For Jets safety Jalen Mills, that’s his mom, Kisa Jackson—a one-woman review board, always ready with post-game notes and honest feedback. Win, lose, or elbow-deep in film, she’s there, making sure Mills isn’t just skating by on his talent. After every game, whether she’s at the stadium filming or watching from her couch, she’ll give him a call, ready to break down his plays. And she doesn’t hold back. Mills might be a pro, but to Kisa, he’s still her son who can always improve.

It all started when Mills was in high school. He’d come off the field unsatisfied, listing off things he could’ve done better. So Kisa stepped in, recording his games and going over every detail with him. They’d sit together after each match, critiquing and celebrating where needed. It became their ritual, and to this day, Mills credits those late-night sessions for keeping him sharp and humble. It’s a routine that followed him through LSU, the Eagles, and now the Jets. “She knows football,” Mills admits, and her critiques often align with what his coaches have to say.

That motherly guidance doesn’t end when Mills leaves the field. When he faced a tough foot injury, Kisa was the one who called, reminding him that better days were ahead. “Just hearing that little message,” Mills said, “that always helps.” She’s been his cheerleader, his coach, and sometimes, his toughest critic. Through her, he learned resilience and accountability—traits he’s now passing on to his own family.

So, what’s Kisa’s secret formula? It’s simple: she keeps it real. And Mills wouldn’t have it any other way. Rather, he has carried his mom’s values to start a little family of his own—with his wife, Chani, and their two-year-old son Zeus. Keep your eyes peeled in the stands during the next Jets game. If you see a trio donning Jalen’s Gang Green jersey, then you know who they are.

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