In ESPN’s Dan Graziano’s latest prediction piece for all 32 NFL teams, the analyst focused in on linebacker Chandler Jones when taking a look at the Arizona Cardinals.
While Graziano wouldn’t be surprised if a healthy Jones led the league in sacks this season, it’s what else he said about the linebacker that stood out, especially following the report that Jones was unhappy with his contract situation earlier this offseason.
Arizona made it clear that it wasn’t going to trade the linebacker, and Jones is back in the building and has been all-in, according to people who’ve spoken with him.
Despite Jones’ reported unhappiness, the linebacker was back at training camp with a business-as-usual attitude, joking with teammates and working on his craft as he enters the final season of his current deal.
“What drives Chan is just Chan trying to be the best he can be, trying to break his own records,” safety Budda Baker said near the end of training camp.
“He just worries about himself and puts the team first and whatever’s best for the team he tries to do and he does a great job at it.”
And after playing just five games before going down with a season-ending biceps injury, on top of his current contract running out at year’s end, 2021 is a big year for Jones.
He had just one sack in an injury-shortened 2020 season … but over the five seasons prior, he had 9.5 more sacks than anyone else in the league. Healthy, eyeing free agency and teamed with J.J. Watt, Jones is in position to dominate.
Since arriving to the desert in 2016, Jones has amassed 61 sacks, 221 tackles, 68 of which were for losses, 17 forced fumbles and 105 QB hits. He’s been a Pro Bowler and an All-Pro twice during his time in Arizona (2017, 2019). He led the league in sacks in 2017 (17) and came in second in 2019 (19).