Arizona Cardinals Chandler Jones misses out on award

Arizona Cardinals linebacker Chandler Jones was nominated for the NFL Defensive Player of the Year Award

The NFL Honors event has started and one of the first awards of the evening was NFL Defensive Player of the Year.  Arizona Cardinals linebacker Chandler Jones was one of the nominees.

Spoiler alert for those that wanted to watch later, he didn’t win.  The award goes to New England Patriots cornerback Stephon Gilmore.

While it was disappointing to see Jones miss out on the award, we offer congratulations to Gilmore.  He had a heck of a season.

Jones also had a great season, falling just half a sack shy of being the NFL’s sack leader. He had 2 games with 4 sacks in 2019.  One of those games came in week 16 against division rival Seattle Seahawks.

Jones was most definitely deserving of the award, however he was up against still competition. Gilmore had 2 returned interceptions for touchdowns, tied for the league lead.

Gilmore was the first Patriots player to win the award if you can believe that.  That is saying something considering some of the players that have come through New England.

Jones likely would have won the award had he compiled a sack or two in the season finale against the Los Angeles Rams.  Tampa Bay Buccaneers linebacker Shaquil Barrett though had 3 sacks in their season finale to overtake Jones for the NFL sack title.

This takes nothing away from the domination Jones had this past season though. Jones’ 19 sacks were his personal career-best.  He also lead the NFL in forced fumbles with 8.

Anyone of the nominated players could have won the award on Saturday, so there is that.  Jones was still a Pro Bowler.

I think it is safe to say most of us are happy Jones is on our side.  Whether this gives him more motivation next year to get the sack title or not, who knows? However we should all be grateful for the performances he put on in 2019.