Add Chandler Jones’ name to the ongoing list of unhappy players who could find themselves with a new team prior to Week 1.
Jones requested a trade from the Arizona Cardinals on Sunday amid his unhappiness with his contract. The All-Pro edge rusher will make $15.5 million for this forthcoming season, which is the final year of his five-year $82.5 million deal he signed to join the Cardinals in 2016.
Once Jones’ desire to move on from the Cardinals became public, running back David Johnson, who played three seasons in Arizona, with Jones wasted no time throwing the Houston Texans in the mix tweeting, “I know where there’s a great fit for you my dawg!”
Aye @chanjones55 I know where there’s a great fit for you my dawg! 💪🏾🤘🏾
— David Johnson (@DavidJohnson31) July 26, 2021
Cornerback Lonnie Johnson made his pitch with a tweet, “Hey y’all got two can we get one!”
Hey y’all got two can we get one ‼️ https://t.co/ZqgpD5MIFQ
— Lonnie Johnson jr. (@Lonnie30johnson) July 25, 2021
A trade to the Texans will beef up Houston’s defensive front heading into the 2021 season. He would be a significant replacement for Houston after the loss of J.J. Watt over the offseason — who is now Jones’ current teammate in Arizona.
Should the Cardinals seek to trade their unhappy star, the Texans could be a realistic option for Jones.
After suffering a torn bicep that ended his season in five games in 2020, Jones is seeking a bounce-back year in 2021. Plus, he is a former New England Patriot who spent his first four seasons (2012-2016) with the organization — which checks two major qualities Nick Caserio appears to set with each roster move he made throughout the offseason. Jones won a Super Bowl with the Patriots in 2014.
Despite the misery over his contract situation, the Cardinals still expect Jones to report to training camp later this week. The 31-year-old has recorded a career 97.5 sacks in 124 career games. He is a three-time Pro-Bowler and two-time All-First Team All-Pro. He is two seasons removed from setting a career-high in sacks, as he recorded 19.0 on the year for the 5-10-1 Cardinals.