3 Teams That Should Trade for Chris Jones
By Scott Rogust
The Kansas City Chiefs entered the 2020 offseason knowing full well they were going to face the challenge of attempting to retain their key players. Quarterback Patrick Mahomes is set to become the highest paid player in the NFL, and given their lack of cap space currently due to some bad deals (i.e. Anthony Hitchens), re-signing stud defensive tackle Chris Jones is nigh impossible.
Negotiations between Jones and the Chiefs have stalled, and the tackle himself let it be known that he'd be willing to sit out the entire season, a la Le'Veon Bell, if he isn't given the contract he deserves. We normally wouldn't suggest a team ever trade a player like Jones, but they might have no choice in the matter. Kansas City would be better off receiving a trade package for Jones rather than letting him walk for nothing.
Here are three teams who should make a call to the Chiefs for Jones.
3. Seattle Seahawks
The Seahawks were one yard away from clinching the NFC West title in the regular season finale against the heavily-favored San Francisco 49ers. The Seahawks' defense right now looks rather barren, considering Jadeveon Clowney remains a free agent. Perhaps Seattle's biggest weakness is at defensive tackle. Jarran Reed is coming off a down season and Poona Ford was a non-factor as a starter in 2019. If the Seahawks want to compete with the 49ers for the divisional crown for the coming years, they need to work out a deal with the Chiefs for Chris Jones. The window is open for Seattle, and it's time for them to take advantage of it.
2. New York Giants
Why the New York Giants, you ask? It's rather simple: the worst kept secret in the NFL is Giants general manager Dave Gettleman's love for defensive tackles. New York's starting defensive linemen last year were Dexter Lawrence, Leonard Williams and Dalvin Tomlinson, who are all tackles. Of course, they didn't get the desired results because they had no quality pass rushers to place pressure on the quarterback. Gettleman has the chance to get a hog mollie and a pass rusher in the form of Chris Jones. This is a guy who tallied 33 career sacks through four NFL seasons...as an interior defensive lineman! Most importantly, the Giants have a ton of cap space in the coming years to give Jones the $20 million annual salary that he's seeking. What are you waiting for, Dave? Make the trade already!
1. Tennessee Titans
A player of Chris Jones' caliber would understandably get some attention from playoff contenders. Out of all of the postseason teams, the Tennessee Titans make the most sense. The Titans used their defense to silence the offenses of the New England Patriots and the Baltimore Ravens en route to the AFC Championship Game. Considering they were so close to reaching the Super Bowl, the Titans should be making moves that will put them over the edge in 2020. When looking at the team's depth chart, their biggest weakness is at nose tackle. Adding Chris Jones to a defense that includes Rashaan Evans, Jeffery Simmons, Harold Landry and Vic Beasley Jr. automatically makes Tennessee the favorites to represent the AFC in Super Bowl LV.