Arizona Cardinals on the free agent cusp: OLB Chandler Jones

The Arizona Cardinals have decisions to make this offseason, especially when it comes down to free agency.

With more than a handful of key contributors’s contracts expiring, Arizona must choose whether to re-sign the guys they’ve come to know or test the waters for some new blood.

Before the offseason and free agency gets into full swing, Arizona Sports’ Cardinals reporter Tyler Drake and fellow editors Kevin Zimmerman, Kellan Olson and Jake Anderson share their thoughts on who might stay and who will go.

Up next is the man who will undoubtedly make the most money out of every Cardinal in this free-agency class: Chandler Jones.

Basics

Jones completed his sixth season with the Cardinals in 2021 after joining the team via trade in 2016. In 2017, Jones signed a five-year deal worth $82.5 million to remain with Arizona through this past season.

Before heading to the desert, Jones spent four seasons with the New England Patriots. He was a first-round pick in the 2012 NFL Draft.

If Jones were to walk this free agency, the Cardinals have outside linebackers Markus Golden, Devon Kennard and Victor Dimukeje locked up for 2022. Arizona also experimented with inside backers and first-round draft picks Zaven Collins and Isaiah Simmons along the outside in certain sub-packages.

Pros

Jones kicked off the season with a bang, rattling off five sacks in a winning effort over the Tennessee Titans in Week 1.

Over the course of his 15 games played, Jones recorded 10.5 sacks to go along with 12 tackles for loss, six forced fumbles, 26 QB hits and four passes defensed. For his efforts, he was named to the 2022 Pro Bowl.

On top of his production, the linebacker also provided another leader in the locker room on the defensive side of the football.

Cons

While his five-sack performance led the headlines in Week 1, Jones compiled just 5.5 sacks over the rest of the season.

Golden, not Jones, paced the team in sacks this past season with 11 despite the latter’s hot start.

And with Jones hit or miss for a majority of the season, the defense was vulnerable to the pass, especially with a patchwork secondary being the last line of defense.

There’s also the fact that the linebacker asked for a trade last offseason after he was allegedly unhappy with his current contract and future with the team. Jones later confirmed the trade request to reporters last September but did not go into detail over the reason.

After the Titans game, Jones was seen patting general manager Steve Keim’s pockets, hinting toward his desire for a new deal.

Pro Football Focus projects Jones’ next contract to be in the two-year, $33.5 million range with $24 million guaranteed.

Final thought

Drake: There’s no denying Jones’ pass-rushing ability and that his teammates hold him in high regard, enough so to give him captaincy. But at 31 years old and looking to cash in this offseason, the price tag will likely outweigh the production.

If a deal gets done, both sides will have to compromise, which seems unlikely with other pass rushers available in free agency and the amount of suitors Jones will likely have given his resume.

Likelihood of returning?

Drake: Low. Both sides will need to budge a bit to get a deal done and I’m not sure that’s in the cards.

Zimmerman: Low. It would appear there is large gulf between the team and player. Someone is bound to pay Jones premium pass-rusher cash. Jones had one more pressure and one less sack than Golden in 32 fewer pass-rushes, per Pro Football Focus, and the team will weigh those values with the money.

Olson: Low. Jones was the most productive pass rusher for half a decade and then put up enough numbers this season to convince teams he’s still that dude. Is he, though? The Cardinals probably aren’t as swayed, hence the disagreements, so I think he’s gonzo. Someone is going to pay big for 84 sacks in 99 games since 2015.

Anderson: Low. His presence and veteran leadership will be welcomed inside any NFL locker room. But how much will he want in free agency? If Jones doesn’t want — or can’t get — top dollar, then perhaps staying in Arizona is a possibility. But if he wants T.J. Watt-type money, then Keim will be forced to let Jones walk. Jones will be 32 years old by the start of next season and will be two years removed from a season-ending bicep injury.

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