Three-time Pro Bowler Chandler Jones may be on the verge of breaking an Arizona Cardinals franchise record that has stood for 35 years.
Back in 2016, the Arizona Cardinals pulled off one of the greatest trades in the history of the organization.
Cards general manager Steve Keim somehow convinced the New England Patriots to part ways with Chandler Jones, one of the finest edge-rushers in the National Football League.
Now, five years later, the productive Jones is on the verge of becoming the Cardinals‘ all-time leader in quarterback sacks. Incredibly, the 31-year-old would be breaking a franchise record that has remained intact for 35 long years.
Curtis Greer, a defensive end for the Redbirds when the squad resided in St. Louis, is the player Jones is looking to overtake. A former first-round selection, the 6-foot-4, 256-pound Greer wreaked havoc on opposing signal-callers during his eight campaigns (1980 to 1987) with the Cards.
Arizona Cardinals all-time sacks record is well within the reach of Chandler Jones
Jones currently ranks third on the team’s all-time list with 61 sacks. Ahead of the 6-foot-5, 265-pounder at the moment is Greer (69.5 sacks) and Freddie Joe Nunn (66.5), another former first-round choice. Greer’s number includes the 1980 and 1981 seasons, despite the fact that the NFL didn’t start keeping statistics on sacks until 1982.
Based on his track record, Jones should have no problem recording the nine sacks he needs this coming fall to leapfrog both Greer and Nunn. Remaining healthy is key, however. Jones missed 11 of Arizona’s matchups in 2020 with a torn biceps muscle.
Over the past nine months, the Cardinals acquired a couple of defenders who can help take away some of the double-teams that Jones has faced in the past. J.J. Watt, the superstar who signed with the club back in March, has 101 career sacks on his professional resume. Markus Golden, an outside linebacker who came back to the Cards in a trade last October, can also put ample pressure on the opposition’s passers.
A Cardinals record that was set back in the 1980s is now in danger of being shattered. If Jones can avoid the injury bug, it certainly would appear that the sacks record is in the bag.
(Statistics provided by Pro Football Reference)