Chris Jones could help improve Arizona Cardinals defense
By Jim Koch
The Kansas City Chiefs prospective free agent would be an outstanding addition to the defensive unit of the Arizona Cardinals
After finishing as the NFL’s 32nd-ranked unit in 2019, the Arizona Cardinals defense could use some help. It would be foolish to believe that the club’s front office will stand pat with a group that was so easily dominated by opposing offenses this past fall. When free agency gets underway in March, Cards general manager Steve Keim will almost certainly give coordinator Vance Joseph some new pieces to work with in 2020.
One defender who would be welcomed with open arms by the Arizona organization is Pro Bowler Chris Jones. The stud defensive end, who has spent the first four campaigns of his pro career with the Kansas City Chiefs, will be looking for a new deal this spring. With an ample amount of salary-cap space to work with, the Cardinals are equipped to take a serious run at the 25-year old free agent.
Jones is fresh off of a season in which he totaled 36 tackles, nine sacks, four pass breakups and 20 quarterback hits in 13 appearances (12 starts) for the Chiefs. The 6’6, 310 pounder was even better in 2018, when he racked up 40 tackles, 15.5 sacks, an interception and five passes defensed.
The Cards got very little production out of the defensive end position in ’19. Rodney Gunter, a five-year veteran who will also be seeking a new contract, tallied 31 tackles and three sacks in 13 starts. Jonathan Bullard chipped in 22 tackles and 1.5 sacks, while rookie Zach Allen appeared in just four contests after sustaining a neck injury in week four.
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It’s about time that Arizona went after some bona fide difference-makers, as opposed to the mid-level type free agents that Keim has opted to acquire in recent years. High-priced talent is a necessity at times, especially for teams who wish to contend for a Super Bowl championship. Jones will command a huge salary from the Cardinals, but rest assured that the money would be well spent.