The Arizona Cardinals have a number of important players on their team who are scheduled to become free agents next month. One is linebacker Chandler Jones, who has been with the team since 2016 and is now the franchise leader in sacks.
He had 10.5 sacks in 2021 but was a little more inconsistent than he has been in years past and will turn 32 years old this weekend.
Despite his age, according to Touchdown Wire’s Doug Farrar, he is still one of the best free agents available this offseason.
In his list of the top 30 defensive free agents this offseason, Jones not only makes the list, he comes in at No. 6 overall.
Jones requested a trade before the 2021 season, and he found himself on the Reserve/COVID list in October, but when healthy, Jones proved once again to be one of the NFL’s better edge disruptors — and this was especially true when he completely demolished the Titans for five sacks in the season opener, including an NFL-record three in the first quarter.
Way to start the season off right. In 2021, Jones made his fourth Pro Bowl after a season in which he totaled 10.5 sacks, 15 quarterback hits, 21 quarterback hurries, and 30 stops. Jones might want to stay in the NFC West, given what he does to the Seahawks on the regular, but wherever he goes (probably on a shorter-term deal at age 32 when the 2022 season starts), he’ll add a lot from the edge.
If Jones ends up leaving in free agency, it opens up a huge hole on the defense. However, the question is how much money he will want and how long a deal he is seeking.
Considering his age, spending that money on a younger pass rusher might be better spent.
Wherever he lands, that teams will land a good player.
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