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Arizona Cardinals outside linebacker Chandler Jones (55) with his helmet off while playing the Seattle Seahawks during an NFL Professional Football Game Sunday, Jan. 9, 2022, in Phoenix.
Published Wednesday, March 16, 2022 | 11:46 a.m.
Updated Wednesday, March 16, 2022 | 2:22 p.m.
The Raiders were quiet on the first two days of the NFL’s open negotiating period, then they got awfully loud on the third.
Las Vegas signed one of the biggest free-agent names on the market in four-time Pro Bowl edge rusher Chandler Jones on Wednesday morning, and traded a team captain from last year at the same position, Yannick Ngakoue, to make room for him. NFL Network reported both moves.
Jones’ contract is reportedly worth $17 million per year though the number of seasons is currently undisclosed. It will likely be a shorter term deal with the 32-year-old Jones entering his 11th NFL season after playing his first four years for the New England Patriots.
The 26-year-old Ngakoue will be shipped off to Indianapolis where he’s reunited with the Raiders' defensive coordinator from last year, Gus Bradley, in exchange for cornerback Rock Ya-Sin.
The All-Pro duo of Maxx Crosby, who signed a lucrative extension late last week, and Jones should give the Raiders one of the best pass rushes in the league to combat the quarterback-heavy AFC West.
Targeting defensive ends in free agency was not what anyone expected under new general manager Dave Ziegler and coach Josh McDaniels, but they always looked capable of surprises. This is a big one, as the Raiders still have more glaring needs in the secondary, offensive line and receiving corps.
The 25-year-old Ya-Sin helps on the first count as he's started at least some games in every season since he was rookie in 2019, but Las Vegas still has work to do in the other areas. The only other players the Raiders have acquired so far are reserve cornerback/kick returner Darius Phillips, formerly of the Cincinnati Bengals, interior defensive lineman Bilal Nichols, from the Chicago Bears and running back Brandon Bolden from the New England Patriots.
They’ve cut a trio of free-agent acquisitions from recent years in edge rusher Carl Nassib, linebacker Cory Littleton and linebacker Nick Kwiatkoski. Players who have departed so far in free agency include wide receiver Zay Jones, who signed with the Jacksonville Jaguars, and linebacker Nicholas Morrow, who signed with the Bears.
Free agency didn't officially kick off until 1 p.m. today, but most teams partook in some activity during the legal tampering allowance that stretched from Monday morning to Wednesday afternoon. The Raiders took a while but eventually joined the fray.
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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