Cardinals OLB Chandler Jones: Terrell Suggs pushed me to take risks

Chandler Jones is about being ever-improving.

A career season that earned him the 2019 NFC Defensive Player of the Year by the NFL Committee of 101 was the latest on-paper example of his growth despite his sturdy reputation as one of the league’s best pass-rushers.

To the Cardinals outside linebacker, one key mental improvement came last season, when future Hall of Famer Terrell Suggs joined Jones in Arizona for 13 games before being released.

“Where I am in my career, I find myself not being hesitant, but almost on certain plays I might say, I’m not going to take that risk,” Jones said in a conference call with reporters on Tuesday. “I might lose contain or … the quarterback might throw the ball or I might get a flag.

“He taught me to say, hey, take (the risk).”

A lot of that risk was about rushing inside at the right opportunities, a move that for outside linebackers can expose the edge.

More often than not, it appeared that Jones taking the risk led to reward. He finished with a career-high in sacks (19), forced fumbles (8) and fumble recoveries (3) while tying his best mark of five passes defensed. A lot of it, Jones said, was about spending all that time with Suggs.

“He triggered something in my brain to take kind of more risks on the field,” Jones added. “It’s also a credit to a lot of my stats. A lot of those plays were just me taking risks.”

This offseason, Jones’ desire to improve showed off the field. He earned his degree from Syracuse in human development and family sciences by finishing a three-credit course.

Now, he’s back in virtual meetings with the Cardinals, where he’s grateful for the continuity and the role in second-year defensive coordinator Vance Joseph’s attacking 3-4 defense.

“First and foremost, to have the opportunity to play the same position in consecutive years is going to be fun for me,” Jones said. “I feel like I’m more comfortable as an outside linebacker. I like playing outside linebacker.

“I’ve got the opportunity to learn him and figure out the plays he likes to call.”

There should be more help for Jones, too. The Cardinals drafted four defensive players and signed three likely starters in free agency. All were front-seven additions made to take pressure off Jones.

Or as he sees it, it’s more about adding talent that can shine around him.

“I don’t think the double-team and chips are going to stop anytime soon,” he said.