LB Chandler Jones of the Arizona Cardinals greets the crowd during team practice in red and white on Saturday, August 3, 2019 at State Farm Stadium. (Tyler Drake / Arizona Sports)
Despite 13 sacks, 18 QB hits, three forced fumbles and 49 tackles, Arizona Cardinals linebacker Chandler Jones was out of the NFL’s Top 100 players last season.
But after being rejected in 2019, the linebacker is back among the league’s top spots, reaching number 15 on the list.
It should come as no surprise to most, as Jones caused trouble for opposing offenses on a regular basis.
In 16 starts last season, Jones recorded career records for sacks (19.0) and pass deflections (5), eight fumbles and 53 tackles, 11 of which were for losses. He also hit the quarterback 26 times.
The ranking is based on how the NFL players felt about the athlete and how they performed the previous year.
Before last season, Jones had made the top 100 three times as a member of the Cardinals. In 2018, he was ranked the 28th best player in the NFL after leading the league in sacks (17), tackled by loss (28) and quarterbacks (33) the previous season.
In Jones’ four years playing for Arizona, he has 60 sacks, which are eight more than any other player, by Pro-Football-Reference.
His 17 sacks in 2017 and 19 last season make Jones one of two players to reach at least 17 sacks twice in the past 10 seasons, joining Houston Texans defensive end JJ Watt.
Jones had those seasons after signing a five-year, $ 83 million extension before the 2017 season, leaving him under contract until 2021, when he will have a cap of just over $ 20 million.
Jones joins other cardinals Larry Fitzgerald (69), Kyler Murray (90) and Budda Baker (97) on the list.
And with Jones finally back among the best in the league, it seems someone’s job is safe for at least another year.
If it’s not in the top 100, they should fire whoever is in charge of making the list 😂 https://t.co/weMRdncUMU
– Myles Garrett ⚡️ (@MylesLGarrett) July 26, 2020
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