Chandler Jones‘ Instagram account caused a bit of a controversy this week. Reacting to being locked out of the Raiders’ facility and then going to work out on his own at a public gym, the former All-Pro lashed out at Josh McDaniels and GM Dave Ziegler.
The 12th-year pass rusher attempted to contact McDaniels and Ziegler by phone on Tuesday, per the Las Vegas Review-Journal’s Vincent Bonsignore, but was unsuccessful. Jones then said — in since-deleted posts — he no longer wants to be a Raider as long as McDaniels and Ziegler are in charge. The All-Decade-teamer also mentioned he would prefer DC Patrick Graham be the team’s head coach.
This strange development continued to Wednesday, when McDaniels indicated (via ESPN.com’s Field Yates) Jones will not be with the team at practice today. The Raiders gave Jones a three-year, $51MM deal in 2022. McDaniels said this is a private matter and declined to say if the veteran defender would play in the team’s opener, via The Athletic’s Vic Tafur. Jones, 33, also did not attend Raiders team meetings Tuesday, Tafur adds.
“It’s a shame that I am a top athlete with 112 sacks in the NFL and I have to go to a local gym to work out during the season for no apparent reason,” Jones said in a different post (h/t Bonsignore), “this is wild to me Josh and you know it you need to do what’s right [sic].”
Although Jones signed with the Raiders last year, he has been on several teams with McDaniels in place as a prominent staffer. Both were with the Patriots from 2012-15, with Jones on his rookie contract and McDaniels in his second stint as New England’s OC. Ziegler was with the Patriots for much of Jones’ Foxborough tenure as well. McDaniels famously alienated a few cornerstone Broncos during his time as their head coach, with one of those conflicts leading to 2009’s blockbuster Jay Cutler trade. A subsequent issue with Brandon Marshall led to a 2010 trade. Considerable time passed in between McDaniels’ HC opportunities, but his Colts about-face in 2018 reinforced a polarizing reputation within the league.
Still, it would be strange if Jones was not in uniform for the Raiders’ opener Sunday in Denver. The team did bring in Tyree Wilson as a likely Jones starter replacement for 2024, but the No. 7 overall pick is expected to supplement Jones and Maxx Crosby this season. The Raiders guaranteed Jones $32MM at signing. He already collected an $8.5MM roster bonus for this year and has $9.67MM in additional salary guarantees in his contract. No guarantees remain on Jones’ deal into 2024.
His game-winning touchdown on the Jakobi Meyers‘ lateral botch notwithstanding, Jones did not live up to his contract last season. He totaled 4.5 sacks in 15 games, though the former Cardinals standout tallied 15 QB hits. Both numbers were well off his 2021 Arizona showing (10.5 sacks, 26 QB hits), however. Jones looms as a 2024 release candidate, but he and the Raiders look to have some fence-mending to do before this season begins.
#FreeKarenRead!
“What in the wide, wide world of sports is going on around here?”
They drafted C. Jones replacement knowing is foot was broke & signed Grap demanding an injury waiver if he wasn’t 100% prior to camp? Bevis and Butthead management.
I’m surprised that Tom would buy into such dysfunction, but Michael Jordon didn’t do much as an owner. That caught me off guard as well.
TB12 bought a piece of the franchise as an investment with all the cash he has sitting around. What better investment is there than an NFL franchise which always appreciates in value? Mark Davis isn’t exactly the richest NFL owner so he probably needed a cash infusion.
I get that. I would just think he would want a more stable franchise. Maybe they gave him plenty of power to make changes w/ hopes of improving the once proud franchise.
Absolutely nobody respects Mark Davis and Josh McDaniels. What clowns.
Same for the GM. He & Josh came as combo package from NE.
That franchise will always be a disaster until it’s sold to a competent owner, and the new owner brings in competent decision makers and let’s them make decisions. You can’t fix stupidity when it starts at the tippy top and Cascades down like a waterfall.
Draft picks don’t have much choice, but free agents beware- this is what you could be signing up for.
Those of you who want Mark Davis out? The Raiders’ club valuation has risen so much in Las Vegas that it’s now in the top fourth of the 32 NFL clubs. Thanks in part to that valuation, tickets to their home opener vs. Pittsburgh are going for the price of Taylor Swift tickets.
Fans think like fans — club owners think like businessmen.
Raiders have the highest ticket prices in the NFL because of out of towners paying extra to see their team play. The valuation may be higher, but Mark Davis is still one of the poorest NFL owners.
Must be nice for both the NFL & LV to pay for that stadium. Dude can’t construct even a 500 franchise.
In Al Davis’ first ten seasons (1966-1975) the team was an outstanding 103-29 (.780 winning percentage) with eight playoff appearances (7-8 record), compared to Mark’s first ten complete seasons (2012-2021) where the Raiders were 65-96 (.403) with just two playoff appearances (0-2 record). Neither of them won a Super Bowl in their first decade.
This NFL club has been able to accomplish things on a business level that they couldn’t do in Los Angeles and could never do in Oakland.
How is it 2 teams are successful in LA, just not the Raiders? It’s the second largest market in America & been that way for decades.
Are they successful? Bigger TV money maybe because of the bigger market, but the Chargers had more visitor fans than their own at home, and Rams owner lost that lawsuit for relocating out of StL
Ticket sales are ticket sales. Add in parking, clothes, food, & drink sales…No matter the team they root for. The Raiders were in LA from 1982-1994. During the same time Buffalo, KC, GB, Cleveland, Cinny, Indy, New Orleans, & Tampa (plus a few more) never complained and griped about finances as much as Al did when in a market 4x the size of many of those organizations. I’ve never heard of the Jags going broke and they’re probably the smallest market in the league. Same for Tenn & Carolina. Looking at over 2 decades of financial success for the newer teams, but the Davis’ just can’t figure it out? Please, that’s a sad excuse for poor ownership/management.
The Chargers aren’t successful in LA. The home field advantage is for the away team when they play. The Raiders haven’t played in LA since 1994. What makes you think they couldn’t sell out the stadium now, whether that be home fans or visiting fans?
I haven’t read 1 story where the Chargers or the Rams are complaining about their move. As I said, it doesn’t matter what team’s fans buy the tickets, they still get the revenue. All of these new stadiums are designed for the ultimate party atmosphere featuring pro sports. Jerry Jones is infamous for being a great host to all of the opposing teams fans. He wants them to enjoy the experience as well. Google what the Jags are doing to their stadium and then the new Titans stadium. As a fan of the game, I would gladly go to those A+ stadiums for the party w/ pro football. That’s the goal! Makes for a fun weekend w/ some friends.
Al was a terrible business man. Mark is even worse. If it wasn’t for revenue sharing, Mark would have been forced to sell years ago. How many other pro teams have had to leave LA for a different market? None. That says it all. Al was so bad at business that he wanted both the cities and states to do everything for him rather than run a business. Nothing more than a rich welfare recipient.
The NFL and Raiders both know that a large portion of their ticket sales will be from fans coming to Vegas to party. They don’t care if the stadium is 50% pro Raiders and 50% the other team. They really don’t. Now if you’re a Chargers fan and you see your stadium being filled by the opposing team, I can see that making you mad. But the owners don’t care who buys the tickets, its called sales.
Still, the Raiders haven’t played in LA in light years. Things change. It’s impossible to say 29 years later if they would be successful there in 2023. They’re doing better in Vegas than the Chargers are in LA. The Rams, you’re absolutely correct about. They’re thriving because they’re dominating LA. They have a fan base and a huge market.
The Chargers ranked 25th in the NFL in the most recent Forbes evaluations (Aug 30th), while the Raiders ranked 6th and the Rams ranked 3rd. There’s more to revenue than just selling tickets. People have to want to watch on TV and buy merchandise. Everyone in the LA area cares about the Rams and nobody cares about the Chargers. It hasn’t worked out as well as they hoped so far.
edit: for comparisons sake, the Chargers were 22nd their final year in SD while the Raiders were 19th that year in Oakland.
If the comments Jones made weren’t enough to display his level of maturity, the fact that he said it on social media is the icing on the cake. Well done, Mr. Jones.
I have no issue with him calling those two clowns out for this situation. Best way to get out of a dumpster fire is to yell loud for help.
Now, would I want him on my team? Maybe, but he is on the downside of his career and getting paid for his prime, so that would depend on cap space and playoff possibilities.
I’d have more interest in his comments if he performed better.
Agreed, but seems like an immature thing to lock him out of the facility.
I’m actually re-thinking it a bit. While Jones was awful, and won’t be missed should he decide to not play this year, I think the FO definitely owes the fans an explanation.
If there was a legit reason for the lockout, just tell us what it was. And it is not like the FO is going to get the benefit of the doubt.
The Jones need a new home.. trade Chandler for Chris
I love how these players tweet and then delete the tweet.
It’s like Groucho Marx saying “I have a good mind to ring his doorbell and run.”
You insult people and delete it.
“I can’t get into the gym to work out at the facility.”
Geez Chandler, I think you have made enough green in your career to buy your own equipment and build a work-out room at your home.
I think the problems are deeper than not getting to work out.
Perhaps all of the hits to the head have caused some
“dain bramage” (sic).
He waits until a few days before the season begins to unload on the coach and GM?
Serious problems with this guy.
Next he’ll ask for a raise.
Laughable!!
“He waits until a few days before the season begins to unload on the coach and GM?”
====================
More like he unloaded because he was locked out. This is why the FO should explain the lockout. Right now, it is Jones talking and the FO going radio silence.