The Arizona Cardinals have had a very up-and-down season so far. There have been moments of great promise for the future paired with equally concerning ones. Nevertheless, one constant has remained through all 12 games — the play of outside linebacker Chandler Jones.
Since Jones’ first season with the Arizona Cardinals in 2016, no player has had more sacks. Honestly, it really isn’t close. Jones has registered 52.5 QB takedowns, the next closest being Aaron Donald with 45. Previous Defensive Player of the Year winners in Donald and Bears edge rusher Khalil Mack just don’t have the stats that Chandler Jones has.
With that said, the NFL’s Defensive Player of the Year is for 2019 only. So for this award, previous stats don’t matter (although it gives a perspective on the kind of player Jones has been for years).
Let’s take a look at 2019, then. Oh, Chandler Jones is leading the league in sacks again.
Jones sits atop the quarterback takedown throne with 12.5 sacks registered on the year. Beneath him is Tampa Bay Buccaneers edge rusher Shaquil Barrett, who started off the year red-hot with nine sacks in four games. Since then, he’s cooled down a good amount. Jones looks like he’s headed for another season sack crown.
So, who else is in contention for the league’s best defender? Patriots corner Stephon Gilmore is having another stellar year and could take home the award. However, there’s another ballhawk defensive back that has been incredible down the stretch. Steelers safety Minkah Fitzpatrick seemingly won games for Pittsburgh on his own. Since being dealt from Miami to the Black and Gold, Fitzpatrick has five interceptions, two forced fumbles, two fumble recoveries, and one touchdown. He would certainly be another great choice for defensive player of the year.
In the past few years, it seems like the league’s best defender has been either Aaron Donald or Khalil Mack. While both have been very good for their respective teams, neither has had their typical best-defensive-player caliber season. Donald has been great, but hasn’t quite been the force he was last year. On the other hand, Mack only has 5.5 sacks on the year. Both of these players are still great, but their stats just don’t give way to another DPOY award.
Cardinals DC Vance Joseph’s defense includes a lot of soft zone coverage that allows for quick ball release by opposing quarterbacks, targeting the short and intermediate passing game. This obviously makes it more difficult for edge rushers to reach the quarterback, yet it hasn’t slowed down Jones one bit. As the young Cardinals secondary gets more playing time together, Jones’ numbers will only go up.
If Chandler Jones registers one sack in each of his last five games, he will finish the 2019 season with 17.5 sacks. If he has multiple sacks in at least two of those games, he would be close to 20 sacks. That is absolutely absurd. Jones has to be excited for this opportunity, especially considering the struggling Browns offensive line and the Rams(2x) coming up on the schedule.
Jones’s statistics certainly warrant the Defensive Player of the Year title, but the award has typically gone to a member of a playoff team. The Cardinals(3-7-1) have made great progress towards 2020 and beyond, but they won’t be in the postseason this year. Still, Chandler’s numbers should outweigh the record of the team.
As of November 24th, 2019, there has not been a better defensive player in the NFL than Chandler Jones of the Arizona Cardinals.
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