The Raiders will land one of the top players on this year’s market. They have agreed to terms with Chandler Jones, Tom Pelissero of NFL.com tweets. The sides agreed to a three-year deal worth $52.5MM, Ian Rapoport of NFL.com tweets, adding that the deal includes $34MM guaranteed.
This will reunite the former All-Pro with Josh McDaniels and Patrick Graham, who were both in New England during the first chapter of Jones’ career. After breaking through to the All-Pro level in Arizona, Jones will relocate to Las Vegas and join Maxx Crosby atop their edge-rushing stable.
For barely a minute, a Raiders reality with Crosby, Jones and Yannick Ngakoue existed. But the team is trading Ngakoue to the Colts. This will clear out some money for a Raiders squad that now has a Pro Bowl edge partnership. Jones bounced back after a biceps injury halted his 2020 season early; he registered 10.5 sacks in his sixth Cardinals season. Cards owner Michael Bidwill expressed a desire to re-sign Jones, who then tweeted laughing emojis after the owner’s comments. Unsurprisingly, the Cards were not closely connected with Jones during the legal tampering period.
Jones, 32, began the 2021 season as a disgruntled Cardinal, having requested a trade after voicing frustration about his contract. Several pass rushers had surpassed Jones’ 2017 extension — a $16.5MM-per-year pact — but he played out the deal. Jones is not exactly leaving the desert, with the Raiders now in Las Vegas, but his Cardinals chapter is over. He has agreed to similar terms with the Raiders. Jones appears to have missed his window to land a $20MM-plus-year-year accord, but he has still done quite well for himself during his prime.
The Raiders recently gave Crosby a $23.5MM-per-year extension. They are now fully loaded at the edge spot. Jones led the NFL with 17 sacks in 2017 — a year after the Patriots dealt him to Arizona — and posted a 19-sack slate in 2019. Making Pro Bowls with both the Pats and Cards, Jones will attempt to aid the Raiders in an AFC West suddenly flush with pass rushers. Jones, Khalil Mack and Randy Gregory are each with AFC West teams now, creating a division stacked at both quarterback and players paid to pursue QBs.
About time raiders
Yeah I thought that them and the Saints were just going to hibernate through free agency.
Sure felt like it
Great player and makes for a great pass rushing duo with Crosby, but he’s 32, so this signals that they think they can compete now, which is not a bet I would make if I were them. I don’t think this even bumps them up to third best team in their division.
Wrong the are the 2nd or 3rd best team in division.
Chiefs
Chargers/raiders
Broncos (sorry adding aging Wilson who’s been on a downward spiral does little to build confidence)
Raiders were down so many players last season and still made playoffs and almost beat the afc champs. Chargers have yet to prove anything outside of being good on paper. Chiefs are still the class even after a down year but it will be interesting to see what they do to improve line, seeing as raiders and chargers have beefed up the line.
I mean, Raiders haven’t proven anything either and they’re worse on paper.
I’d rather bet on Wilson with those receivers than what Vegas has, and one more year of Herbert with Staley having that much talent on defense.
You’re going to being in for a rude awakening and probably end throwing something at your TV set because the Raiders will end up in 4th in that division. Still too many holes to fill.
Yeah I’d have chargers over Raiders. Herbert is young and improving. Mack and Jackson are both huge additions. Then you have Day coming over aswell. I wouldn’t expect them to be done either
Likewise for the raiders. They lost ruggs a few games into season and there head coach. I’m not high on the new head coach but Adding another #1 wr will open lanes for renfrow and Waller. You can expect rub route with 2 tight ends that daniels used to run with pats.
Broncos defense was horrible and I don’t think adding Wilson changes how overrated they are. I agree chargers look good but we’re bested by a depleted raiders squad last season.
Didn’t that “horrible” Denver defense allow the third fewest points in all of football this past season? And the Raiders haven’t actually added a #1 receiver yet. Or fixed the O-line. And their defense still has serious holes.
They had a 7-10 record, who cares.
They had Teddy Bridgewater and Drew Lock at QB.
Broncos defense was a top 5 defense last season and was one of couple teams that allowed the least amount of points scored. Wilson is a huge upgrade at the QB position, Teddy 2 gloves didn’t even throw a TD to a receiver last year until week 11.
Plenty to like about the combination of Jones and Crosby
And trading Yannick for Ya-Sin rounds out the defense better.
Crosby, Jones and Ngakoue. I saw them live when they still had Neil Young.
I think I saw them play with Graham Nash when the Marrakesh Express was a USFL expansion team.
Unrelated news, Russel Wilson wants to be traded back to the NFC now that Mack and Jones have followed him to the AFC West.
I like it!
Dont forget about Joey Bosa in that AFC West as well..Bosa and Mack, Crosby and Jones…I wonder which duo will have more combined pressures and sacks this upcoming season??
Great under/over for Vegas to sponsor.
It feels like we got Jones & Ya-Sin for a little more than the cost of Ngaouke. Seems like a win to me.
I didn’t like our chances this year, but I am starting to believe.