Chandler Jones remains one of the most impactful pass-rushers in all of football. Playing for the woebegone Arizona Cardinals the last three seasons, though, the two-time Pro Bowler has seen his reputation stall despite producing at an even higher level than he did with the New England Patriots during the first few seasons of his career.
Now that he has a pass-rushing partner the caliber of Terrell Suggs on his team, though, Jones seems poised to re-establish himself as one of the league's best overall defensive players, a potential development that is no doubt spurred by the presence of another Cardinals teammate commanding imminent attention from the opposition.
“No more double teams,” Jones said on Tuesday in reference to Suggs' signing, per the team website. “Someone with a big name like Terrell Suggs, it will be great for us. I’m excited to have him.”
Also contributing to Jones' excitement? The knowledge that Suggs, one of the longest-tenured and most respected players in the NFL, will allow him to retain his beloved No. 55.
“So I’m No. 55?” Jones responded when told of Suggs' willingness to give up the number he's donned throughout his career. “I didn’t know that. I thought he was going to reach out and give me a price or something. He’s giving me the number? That’s cool. There’s no fight about it.”
Jones had 13 sacks, 18 quarterback hits, and 13 tackles for loss last season, numbers bordering on elite that nevertheless pale in comparison to those he put up a year earlier. With Arizona transitioning back to a 3-4, allowing him to return to outside linebacker, and Suggs coming aboard, don't be surprised if Jones reaches the past heights this season he fell just short of in 2018.
Follow Us
Subscribe