There can be a ton of expertise accessible in NFL free company, which begins on March 13 at 4 p.m. ET. Nonetheless, there appears to be a consensus prime upcoming free agent and Professional Soccer Focus believes two groups are poised to land him.
PFF’s Brad Spielberger named the Chicago Bears and Las Vegas Raiders as touchdown spots for Chiefs defensive lineman Chris Jones.
The five-time Professional Bowler is PFF’s prime free agent this offseason after posting 74 tackles, 26 sacks and two compelled fumbles over the previous two seasons. Jones has been a key piece to Kansas Metropolis’s protection, serving to the staff win three Tremendous Bowls previously 5 years.
The Chiefs might very nicely re-sign the 29-year-old due to the NFL elevating the wage cap by an unprecedented $30 million.
Nonetheless, Jones shouldn’t be anticipated to obtain the franchise tag, which might be price $32 million as a substitute of the common $19.7M, based on ESPN’s Adam Schefter. If the 2 sides are unable to succeed in an settlement on a brand new deal, the Bears or Raiders may very well be the benefactors.
Each groups are among the many prime 10 groups with the most wage cap area and Spielberger thinks every has a great argument for making a run at Jones if he had been to hit the open market.
“The Bears will not be trying to make this huge of a splash, and basic supervisor Ryan Poles has typically prioritized spending on youthful gamers, however we might be remiss if we did not make this connection,” Spielberger writes. “The lacking piece to Chicago’s ascending protection taking one other step is a confirmed inside cross rusher.”
Chicago’s protection is definitely a piece in progress. Defensive finish Montez Sweat led the staff in sacks (six) after becoming a member of it on the commerce deadline. Jones might give the Bears their first double-digit sack chief since Robert Quinn posted 18.5 sacks in 2021.
Las Vegas, however, might strengthen its protection, which was enjoying very nicely over the second half of 2023.
“The Raiders’ protection completed the second half of the season on an absolute tear, however just a few key contributors on the inside defensive position are pending free brokers,” Spielberger writes. “A duo of Maxx Crosby and Chris Jones would instantly change into one of many league’s greatest.”
Spielberger is correct. Pairing Jones with Crosby might create one of the vital feared duos within the league. After all, that is solely attainable if their AFC West division rival lets Jones stroll.
