NFL Rumors: Broncos eyeing another superstar following Russell Wilson trade
The Denver Broncos are reportedly targeting another superstar after landing quarterback Russell Wilson from the Seattle Seahawks. Broncos beat writer Zac Stevens had team insider Benjamin Albright on his podcast.
Albright said the team could be in the hunt to sign free agent defensive end/linebacker Chandler Jones. He claims:
“It’s an actually likely Broncos free agent signing”
.@AllbrightNFL believes Chandler Jones is the Broncos’ “priority No. 1” target in free agency.
“It’s an actually likely Broncos free agent signing”
(Via @DNVR_Broncos podcast)
Jones has played the last six NFL seasons with the Arizona Cardinals and is likely to be a free agent this offseason. In his time with the Cardinals, he has 262 combined tackles (206 solo and 56 assisted), 23 forced fumbles, and 71.5 sacks.
In the 2017 season, he led the league with 17 sacks and 28 tackles for loss. He also made the Pro Bowl with the team three times.
Jones’ tally of 71.5 sacks since the 2016 season is the third-most in that stretch, trailing Los Angeles Rams defensive tackle Aaron Donald (78) and Pittsburgh Steelers linebacker T.J. Watt (72).
He was traded to the Cardinals from the New England Patriots, where he spent the first four years of his career. While with the Patriots, Jones registered 211 combined tackles (125 solo and 86 combined) with 10 forced fumbles and 21 sacks.
He made one Pro Bowl with New England in the 2015 season, where he had 12.5 sacks and 11 tackles for loss. Jones’ 12.5 sacks were the fifth-most that season. In his 10-year career, the 32-year-old has four Pro Bowl appearances, a two-time first-team All-Pro, and won a Super Bowl with the Patriots in the 2014 season.
He has 107.5 sacks in his career, second only behind former Denver and current Los Angeles Rams linebacker Von Miller (115.5) among active players.
Can the Broncos Afford Jones?
According to the salary cap tracker Spotrac, Jones could be looking for a three-year, $44 million contract, averaging almost $15 million per season. The salary cap tracker also says that Denver has $26,192,699 in cap space, the ninth-most in the NFL.
Chandler Jones Rumors: #Seahawks and #Broncos are expected to show the most interest in the free agent. https://t.co/urRh4wYtRQ
After acquiring Russell Wilson, will general manager George Paton try and add Jones to the team’s defense? We’ll see as this offseason continues to unfold.