Report: Former Arizona Cardinals LB Chandler Jones signing with Raiders
Mar 16, 2022, 11:25 AM | Updated: Mar 21, 2022, 1:15 pm
Chandler Jones #55 of the Arizona Cardinals celebrates as he walks off the field after defeating the Seattle Seahawks 23-13 at Lumen Field on November 21, 2021 in Seattle, Washington. (Photo by Steph Chambers/Getty Images)
(Photo by Steph Chambers/Getty Images)
The Arizona Cardinals’ franchise leader in sacks and starting outside linebacker Chandler Jones has reportedly agreed to a deal with the Las Vegas Raiders, per NFL Network’s Tom Pelissero.
NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport adds that the deal is for three years worth roughly $51 million.
Jones’ Cardinals tenure comes to an end following six seasons, 71.5 sacks, 23 forced fumbles and 131 QB hits. This past year in Week 9, Jones passed the late Freddie Joe Nunn (66.5) for the most sacks in franchise history at the time with 67. It took Jones 76 games to achieve the feat.
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While Jones leaves as the franchise sack leader, he almost didn’t get a chance to do so after asking for a trade the last offseason over his contract with Arizona. This past September, Jones confirmed that he did ask for a trade and to direct any contract questions to GM Steve Keim.
The trade request came after Jones played just five games in 2020 due to a biceps injury suffered in Week 5. He tallied just one sack before his season came to an end prematurely.
He rebounded in a big way from his stint on the injured reserve to kick off 2021, racking up five sacks in an impressive showing against the Tennessee Titans in Week 1. Jones compiled 10.5 sacks in 2021, second on the team behind linebacker Markus Golden.
With Jones now out of the picture, Arizona will look to the NFL Draft and free agency to fill the void left behind.
Outside of Golden, the outside linebackers room gets thin with Devon Kennard, Dennis Gardeck and second-year pro Victor Dimukeje as the only other OLBs on the roster as of Wednesday.
