Jaguars must be ready to make OLB Chandler Jones a substancial offer

NFL teams are willing to shell out big bags of money for a dominant pass rusher. That’s why the Las Vegas Raiders had no trouble giving defensive end Maxx Crosby a four-year contract worth $99 million. If the Jacksonville Jaguars want to sign outside linebacker Chandler Jones in free agency, they must be ready to give him a similar amount of cash.

Jones recently appeared on The NFL Players Podcast and told Logan Ryan that money won’t be at the top of his priorities when looking for potential fits in free agency. Rather, he’s looking for a team that can “maximize his talents“. Here’s a part of the conversation, via Darren Urban of the Arizona Cardinals’ official website.

"Where I am in my career, I’ve gotten contracts, I’ve gotten the Super Bowl, but I think scheme is huge. Or for me, winning more championships. I’ll say it again, it’s not about money. I will say I want to go to a place that maximizes my talents. There have been times in my career where I’d say I caught myself out of position. I do take the blame, but at the same time it’s like, ‘Hey, should I have been doing that?’ I have enough comfort where I am in my career and this age to say that."

A first-round pick by the New England Patriots in the 2012 NFL Draft, Jones will test free agent for the first time in his career. He landed in Arizona back in 2016 and he’s gone on to log 71.5 sacks, 262 total tackles, 131 quarterback hits, and 23 forced fumbles since then. At 31, Jones isn’t showing signs of slowing down and is currently No. 3 on Pro Football Focus’ top 200 list of free agents.

The Jaguars can make a competitive offer to Chandler Jones in free agency.

Money won’t be Jones’ biggest concern when deciding which team he will sign with but it will still play an important part. Even if he’s looking for the best possible fit, he will surely want to be well-compensated. PFF expects him to sign a two-year $33.5 million deal with $24 total guaranteed but based on the amount Crosby got, he could get a bit more.

Crosby wasn’t interested to break the bank but the Raiders knew what kind of value he brings to their defense, and teams looking to bolster their pass rush in free agency know it won’t be cheap. As Jones pointed out, he’s already won a Super Bowl and made enough money playing football but that doesn’t mean he’s going to leave a substantial amount of money on the negotiating table. In fact, getting premium compensation for his services and identifying the right landing spot aren’t mutually exclusive, so clubs that are interested in his services will need to fork out plenty of money.

Fortunately, the Jaguars have plenty of cap room, around $40 million, and they should have no trouble making a bid for Jones services. The fact that he previously played for defensive line coach Brentson Buckner could lure him to Jacksonville.

Jones won’t be the Jaguars’ only choice to upgrade their pass rush this offseason but he’s one of the best and even though he will command retail compensation for his services, his impact opposite outside linebacker Josh Allen would be immediate.