Marcus Spears predicts Chandler Jones as NFL sack king in 2021
Aug 25, 2021, 1:35 PM | Updated: 1:48 pm
Chandler Jones #55 of the Arizona Cardinals participates in drills during Training Camp at State Farm Stadium on July 29, 2021 in Glendale, Arizona. (Photo by Norm Hall/Getty Images)
(Photo by Norm Hall/Getty Images)
After Chandler Jones missed majority of the 2020 season with a biceps injury, ESPN’s Marcus Spears thinks the Arizona Cardinals pass-rusher will return to his old self and lead the league in sacks for the 2021 season.
Making his prediction on NFL Live, Spears has Jones as his sack leader for a number of reasons.
“It’ll be Chandler Jones,” he said. “One of the reasons, he is gonna have fresh legs, but adding J.J. Watt (too).”
Spears also believes Jones will be put in a great position due to his defensive coordinator, Vance Joseph.
Spears said Joseph likes to bring pressure with his defense, particularly from secondary level players, which can allow Jones to find himself with one-on-ones where he can feast.
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“I love defensive coordinators who put their best pass-rushers in positions not to get double-teamed and chipped all over the place,” Spears said. “Chandler Jones to me, with fresh legs, will lead the league in sacks.”
Joseph became the Cardinals’ defensive coordination prior to the 2019 season, which turned out to be a career-year for Jones in the sack department (19.0). Coincidence? Maybe so, but Jones was named a First Team All-Pro in 2019.
It not a secret that Jones has made a name for himself getting after opposing quarterbacks. He is currently No. 6 in career sacks among active players with 97.0 and a healthy 2021 could see him climb further up the list.
The 31-year-old is looking to make his mark in the final year of his five-year contract with the Cardinals. He reportedly asked for a trade on July 25, according to ESPN’s Jeremy Fowler.
Jones has not spoken about his contract situation or his reported trade request since the start of training camp.
