As Chandler Jones wonders if he’ll get a new contract in Arizona, the Houston Texans should be willing to give him the money he wants.
Earlier this offseason, Chandler Jones became disgruntled with his contract and demanded a trade. The veteran pass rusher is set to be a free agent after this season. General Manager Nick Caserio needs to call Steve Keim and make a deal for one of the most productive sack artists in the past few years.
Arizona took J.J. Watt and Deandre Hopkins away, so why not return fire by taking one of their franchise players? Watt’s arrival in Arizona didn’t really seem to excite Jones (despite the obligatory tweet and video shown upon Watt’s arrival).
As for what a deal would be, the Texans could offer something that only Arizona has in the division this year. That is a first-round pick, and something Arizona could replace Jones with a young pass rusher that makes an impact on a cheaper contract.
There’s also the fact that Arizona will have to decide on 2019 1st overall pick Kyler Murray’s 5th-year option (after the 2021 season) or give him his first big contract extension in the NFL. So what would a Cardinals-Texans trade be?
Chandler Jones on the Houston Texans would change the season outlook by a mile
Even with the season-ending biceps tear in Week 5 last season, the Texans could really use Chandler Jones to disrupt the quarterbacks in the AFC South. Can you imagine Trevor Lawrence scrambling for dear life? Carson Wentz growing paranoid again and throwing terrible interceptions? There’s also the commanding aspect of double teams in the run game that Jones would bring.
Jones can free up Ross Blacklock and other rushers to make plays at or behind the line of scrimmage. If this rebuild is going to take a couple of years, what’s the difference if the Texans skip a first-round pick for another year?
It’s not often players like this can become available in a way. Caserio, call Keim, and let’s make a deal.