Was Chandler Jones’ cryptic tweet a message to Cardinals owner?
Chandler Jones is in line to sign what could be the last major contract of his NFL career this offseason, and there have been questions about whether the Arizona Cardinals are willing to give it to him. Jones may have provided a hint on Friday about where the negotiations stand.
Cardinals owner Michael Bidwill was asked about Jones’ impending free agency during an interview with 98.7 Arizona Sports on Friday. He said the Cardinals would love to have the star pass-rusher back but noted that “the devil’s in the details.”
#AZCardinals Owner Michael Bidwill says the team would love to have Chandler Jones back. @Bickley_Marotta #RedSea
Full Interview: https://t.co/9FqRzqnT8q pic.twitter.com/kaFAyrRWxh
— Arizona Sports (@AZSports) February 25, 2022
Minutes after Bidwill made the comments, Jones sent the following tweet:
https://twitter.com/chanjones55/status/1497231770722308098
The timing almost certainly was not a coincidence.
Jones recorded 10.5 sacks and six forced fumbles this past season. He bounced back in a big way after missing most of 2020 with a biceps injury. While Jones has been one of the best pass-rushers in the NFL for years, he will turn 32 on Sunday. That is likely a concern for the Cardinals and any other team that might be interested in signing him to a long-term deal.
The Cardinals have already had some issues with Kyler Murray this offseason, though those have cooled down a bit recently. They have the option of using the franchise tag on Jones, which they did in 2017 before signing him to a long-term deal.
Photo: Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports
