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March 18, 2024

Raiders:

‘Unorthodox’ defender Jones plays his own way

Las Vegas’ new defense should be as unpredictable as its veteran leader

2022 July 27: Raiders Training Camp

Steve Marcus

Las Vegas Raiders defensive end Chandler Jones (55) warms up during the teams first fully padded practice during training camp at the Las Vegas Raiders Headquarters/Intermountain Healthcare Performance Center in Henderson Wednesday, July 27, 2022.

2022 July 27: Raiders Training Camp

Las Vegas Raiders wide receiver Jordan Veasy (18) catches a pass during the teams first fully padded practice during training camp at the Las Vegas Raiders Headquarters/Intermountain Healthcare Performance Center in Henderson Wednesday,  July 27, 2022. Launch slideshow »

While the rest of the Raiders’ roster stretched via traditional movements before the team’s first padded practice last week, Chandler Jones stood on his head.

Las Vegas’ newest defensive star, and most experienced player, rarely does anything the established way. It’s that “unorthodox approach,” in the words of teammate Maxx Crosby, that’s guided the 32-year-old edge rusher through an 11-year NFL career that reaches its third stop in Las Vegas this season.

“He’s just different, a one-of-a-kind-type rusher and talent,” teammate Maxx Crosby said. “Being around that, I don’t even have to say anything. I just literally sit there and listen because it’s such a different approach, the way he thinks. That’s what makes him so great.”

Jones arrives to the Raiders with the second-most career sacks of any active NFL player — behind only the Buffalo Bills’ Von Miller — with 107.5, good for 38th all-time.  The three-year, $51 million contract Jones signed as a free agent after spending the last six seasons with the Arizona Cardinals would have typically marked the biggest acquisition of the offseason for a franchise.

But the addition of Jones wound up somewhat overshadowed with the Raiders after they traded for Packers receiver Davante Adams two days later and signed him to a five-year, $140 million deal. As important as Adams will be to the success of the offense directed by new coach Josh McDaniels, however, Jones will be every bit as essential to a new defense under the watch of defensive coordinator Patrick Graham.   

“Having this opportunity is huge to me honestly, as an individual,” Jones said. “It wasn’t much of a decision that I had to make honestly. I became a free agent. I had the choice to go to any team in the NFL that I wanted to, and the Raiders were the choice. And for Josh McDaniels to be the head coach, Pat Graham to be the defensive coordinator, it felt like right at home.”

Graham was Jones’ defensive line coach with the New England Patriots in his rookie season after being selected with No. 21 overall pick out of Syracuse in the 2012 NFL Draft, while McDaniels was the team’s offensive coordinator. Jones can’t pinpoint when he first began emphasizing unconventional techniques on the field, but it likely came at some point of his three-year tenure in New England.

He became big on “self-scouting,” watching film of his own plays on the field. That helped him recognize he could better utilize his freakish 85.75-inch reach and implement more advanced methods like hesitation moves in pass rushing.   

“It’s just learning how my body moves and what it can and cannot do,” Jones said. “And I try to utilize that because I know that’s very uncommon. It’s unique and guys can’t game plan for it.”

That sounds like Graham’s defensive philosophy. The defensive coordinator preaches multiple looks and is known for implementing a different scheme each week depending on the opponent.

One constant is putting a large playmaking onus on edge rushers like Jones. They must be able to do it all and excel both in traditional defensive end areas as well as skills more suited to linebackers.  

That’s the main reason why Jones was brought in with Yannick Ngakoue, a 27-year-old team captain a year ago, traded to the Indianapolis Colts to make room. Ngakoue profiles as the better pure pass-rusher at this stage of their careers, but Jones is more well-rounded.

The veteran’s ability to make plays in several areas has come across in training camp. In a goal line drill during the first day of pads, Jones stuffed one of the runs short of the end zone.

The day before, he intercepted a pass deflected in a drill by rookie defensive tackle Neil Farrell.

“He sets the standard,” Crosby said of Jones. “He’s been doing it for years and years. He’s somebody I definitely look up to.”

At minicamp in June, Jones said he doesn’t consciously try to be a leader but “if guys are following, that’s a good thing.” It appears to have come naturally at training camp, as Jones is often seen pointing out ideas and explaining concepts to his teammates.

He’s made an impression on everyone, including the fans, as the only disruption from the guests invited to watch practice came when a man yelled out asking Jones if he could meet him afterwards. Jones gladly obliged, lingering long after practice ended to sign autographs and take selfies.

He’s even coaching the coaches, in a way.

“You have to remember in the NFL that we're coworkers,” Raiders defensive line coach Frank Okam said at minicamp. “And so, for me, I always like to pick the brain of someone who has 100-plus sacks because that's something I never did in my own career. So, any time you can get some lessons from the way they see the game, coaching points, film study points, anything to help those young guys acclimate to the game faster, I’m all ears.”

Having played five years in the NFL after being taken as a fifth-round NFL Draft pick out of Texas in 2008, Okam marvels at Jones’ longevity. Some may have thought Jones was near the end following a disappointing 2020 season that ended after five games with a torn biceps, but he extinguished that idea and bounced back last year.

Jones played in all but three games in 2021 with the Cardinals, racking up 10.5 sacks, 26 quarterback hits and six forced fumbles.

He credits never losing sight of his childhood dream to play in the NFL as the reason why he keeps pushing forward with a career that’s already produced a Super Bowl championship, four Pro Bowl appearances and $98 million in on-field earnings. Jones is always looking for the next championship, the next achievement, the next move no one else ever uses.

“(The NFL is), ‘What have you done for me lately, and what can you do for me now?’” Jones said. “I understand that. I take pride in my work and come to work every day with a smile on my face, but I also try to perfect my craft.”

Case Keefer can be reached at 702-948-2790 or [email protected]. Follow Case on Twitter at twitter.com/casekeefer.Case Keefer can be reached at 702-948-2790 or

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