Raiders Need Bounce Back Season from Chandler Jones

The Las Vegas Raiders need their big-money defensive end Chandler Jones to bounce back.

The Las Vegas Raiders made one of the biggest splash free agent signings of last year’s offseason, signing defensive end Chandler Jones to a three-year, $51-million-dollar contract with visions of pairing him with Maxx Crosby and forming a top-tier pass-rushing duo.

However, those visions did not come to fruition in year one. Jones’ four-and-a-half sacks last season were his lowest total since the 2014 season (outside of 2020, when he played only five games). He then suffered an elbow injury and missed the season's final two games.

There were multiple reasons for Jones’ rough season. One reason could have been natural regression, as he is now 33 years old and just completed his 11th year in the NFL. It also could have been because of his high level of snaps with thin depth behind him.

Jones also played 784 snaps last season, the third-most on the Raiders’ defense, only behind Crosby and Bilal Nichols. The next highest number of snaps by a defensive end was Clelin Ferrell, with 494. It’s possible the lack of depth and the high number of snaps at Jones’ age could have worn on him.

Whatever the reasons for Jones’ underwhelming season, the Raiders need him to be the player they signed to a large contract if they want to return to the playoffs. General Manager Dave Ziegler has added some depth behind Jones by bringing back Jerry Tillery and adding free agent Jordan Willis, so he won’t have to shoulder as much of the pass-rushing load.

The four-time Pro Bowler and two-time All-Pro has posted 511 total tackles, 121 tackles for losses, and 112 sacks in his career. Chandler Jones can have a bounce-back season, and the Raiders can’t afford him not to.

The 2023 NFL Draft will go from April 27-29 and be held at Union Station in Kansas City, Mo. The 2023 NFL Year and Free Agency period began at 4 p.m. EDT on March 15.

The Raiders are expected to be significant players in the free-agent market this offseason.

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