Current Arizona Cardinal and two-time All-Pro edge rusher Chandler Jones has requested a trade. Jones has spent the last five years of his career in Arizona, but that could quickly be coming to an end. A Chandler Jones trade appears inevitable, and many teams will be interested in his services.

Jones has been one of the NFL’s most productive defensive players since he entered the league in 2012. In 2019, the last season where he was fully healthy, Jones recorded 26 quarterback hits, 11 tackles for loss and 19 sacks. After appearing in just five games in 2020, Jones should be back at full health in 2021. 

Simply put, when he is healthy, Jones has made a living out of getting into the backfield. He could help improve any defense that he joins and could be worth trading for, even if for just one season. The New York Giants could offer a package centered around a second-round pick, as many people believe it wouldn’t cost more than that for a Chandler Jones trade.

Giants Should Consider a Chandler Jones Trade

Veteran Presence

Jones is a veteran player in the league and he will be entering year number 10 this upcoming season. Outside of defensive end Leonard Williams, most of the Giants pass rushers are fairly young. 

Rookie linebacker Azeez Ojulari and fourth-year linebacker Lorenzo Carter will more than likely be the Giants’ key edge rushers, outside of Williams. Carter is coming off of a torn Achilles, and this will be Ojulari’s first time playing at this professional level. 

This Giants defense has solidified veterans all throughout the defense, but their weakest link is undoubtedly the outside linebackers group. A player such as Jones would be welcomed to this group, much like James Bradberry has been for the secondary and Williams has been for the defensive line. 

This defense has been built on pairing a young player with an already established veteran. This can be seen with safeties Xavier Mckinney and Logan Ryan, linebackers Blake Martinez and Tae Crowder, and Leonard Williams with Dexter Lawrence. Jones stepping in and being that mentor to the young edge rushers could be extremely beneficial to this team in the long run. 

A Top-Tier Duo

Nearly every top defense has a pair of high-quality pass rushers. The Cleveland Browns have Jadeveon Clowney and Myles Garrett. Washington has Montez Sweat and Chase Young. The Denver Broncos have Bradley Chubb and Von Miller. The Giants have a chance at crafting a top duo of their own. A pair consisting of Chandler Jones and Leonard Williams could become one of the best in the NFL.

Williams had his true breakout last season, his first year with the Giants. He exploded, recording 11.5 sacks, 30 quarterback hits and 14 tackles for loss — all career highs. After this strong year for Leonard, the Giants signed him to a three-year, $63 million deal that will keep him in New York until at least 2023. 

If a Chandler Jones trade were to happen and everything went according to plan, Jones would finish his career in New York. At 31-years old, he has more than a couple of quality years in front of him. The Giants would become contenders by adding him to this defensive front. It’s a trade that may be worth it, if New York is serious about winning right now.