Arizona Cardinals should trade outside linebacker

Arizona Cardinals linebacker Chandler Jones has been the subject of cut rumors intended to save money amidst an uncertain salary cap situation. And while the strategy makes sense, given Jones’ age and lack of production before a season-ending biceps injury, it makes even more sense to trade him, if there are any takers.

Of course, if the Cardinals were to trade Jones they would need to re-sign Haasan Reddick, who enjoyed a breakout performance in 2020, and Markus Golden. Dennis Gardeck, who also showed ability as a pass rush specialist, should also re-sign with the Cardinals if they looked to get rid of Jones.

So why does it make sense to trade Jones? At 31 and just one year removed from a 19-sack season, he still holds value toward franchises who found themselves in contention last season. He still holds a lot of trade value and the Cardinals can easily ask for a large sum of draft capital or even a productive contributor in return.

While Jones probably won’t warrant a first-round pick at his age, the Cardinals should easily snag a second-round or even multiple draft picks in return if they trade him to a contender. Even if the Cardinals were to eventually cut Jones, they need to at least put him on the trade block and see if they can wield a few offers.

It will be interesting to see what the Cardinals do with Jones. But given Reddick’s and Gardeck’s breakout performances and their younger ages, coupled with Jones’ biceps injury and lack of production in 2020, the former look far more attractive than the aging Jones, who will enter his tenth season.

Sure, it’ll be a bummer to lose Jones, considering all he has done for the Cardinals since he came over from New England. But, he holds a lot of trade value and the Cardinals will benefit long-term by acquiring young talent or draft capital for Jones.