A veteran cast-off this offseason, Chris Long showed he’s still got something left to give in the NFL in the New England Patriots’ opening win
On Feb. 19, Chris Long was released from the Los Angeles Rams—ending his eight-season tenure with the team that drafted him. Some believed it signaled the end of the road for Long, who had amassed just four sacks in just 18 games over his final two seasons in St. Louis (before the Rams moved to Los Angeles).
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About two months after his release, Long signed with the New England Patriots on a one-year deal. The signing came shortly after the Patriots traded away Chandler Jones. This led many to make a direct comparison that Long was the replacement for Jones—which frustrated fans in New England. Many believed Long had lost a step and could be cut before the end of the offseason.
Not only did Long have a good preseason, but he translated that to the field with a strong opening game in a Patriots uniform. His efforts surely helped lead the Patriots to a dramatic 23-21 win over the Arizona Cardinals.
Chris Long finished his first Patriots game with three tackles, one sack, and a quarterback hit while playing 40 of 61 snaps on defense. The 40 snaps for Long was second-most among Patriots defensive linemen, trailing only Jabaal Sheard (44).
Long was also credited with two quarterback pressures from Pro Football Focus. While these numbers are not eye-popping, Long played an important role in helping the Patriots defense hold the Cardinals to just 6-12 on third-down conversions and just 92 yards rushing. Long’s three tackles were all solo tackles, showing he also had an impact in holding David Johnson to 89 yards rushing on the night.
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Long was one of 18 new Patriots players to see action in the win. The veteran and others helped move the Patriots to 1-0 and take an early lead in the AFC East. Long and the Patriots now host three-consecutive home games at Gillette Stadium. In Week 2, they welcome the Miami Dolphins to Foxboro for their home-opener and division-opener. After Long’s debut, the hope is that he keeps this level of performance going.