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All-Pro pass rusher Chandler Jones requested a trade from the Arizona Cardinals this offseason, per sources. Jones has been unhappy with his contract and future with the team. Cardinals don’t want to trade him and expect him to report to camp. But certainly a situation to watch.
— Jeremy Fowler (@JFowlerESPN) July 25, 2021
Chandler Jones’ contract situation has been the elephant in the room all off-season. He opted out of mandatory mini-camp, as a result.
Make the trade, Cardinals. This is not going to end well, otherwise. You learned the lesson the hard way with Pat Peterson. Get what you can and move on with edges Watt, Golden, Gardeck and sign UFA Justin Houston. ❤️ https://t.co/5J6fWznUyu
— Walter B J Mitchell (@WBJMItch) July 25, 2021
Plus, if the Cardinals trade Chandler Jones they can add his unguaranteed $15.5M to the free agent kitty and there are still some very good UFAs available such as DT Geno Atkins , LB K.J. Wright, TE Trey Burton, and possibly even G David DeCastro.
Moreover, Vance Joseph and the Cardinals did well with the pass rush without Chandler Jones the last 11 games of the season, finishing 4th in the NFL in sacks per game. Reddick’s gone, but Cards signed J.J. Watt and they re-signed Markus Golden, Dennis Gardeck and Kylie Fitts plus drafted Duke’s Victor Dimukeje, while retaining Devon Kennard.