2022 NFL Free Agency: 5 best landing spots for edge rusher Chandler Jones

Edge rusher Chandler Jones is on the market and looking to help any team that can pay for services. Where should he go?

The franchise tag deadline has come and gone, and some great players are on the open market. Chandler Jones fins himself on the market after the Cardinals failed to franchise him. Jones is readying himself to corner the market with an expected price tag of $12-15 million a year. He’s worth the price for the teams looking for a player on the edge who can reshape the defense.

The former 2012 21st overall pick has dominated over the last 10 seasons. He made the Pro Bowl four times, All-Pro twice, the 2010 Hall of Fame team, and won a Super Bowl title with the Pats. Jones is a 6-5 265-pound edge rusher who can play in either a 3-4 or 4-3 defense.

Since joining the Cardinals, Jones had 10 or more sacks in five of six seasons. He finished the 2021 season with 10.5 sacks, 41 tackles, six forced fumbles, and four pass deflections. Although he is on the wrong side of 30, he does have a lot left in the tank. The question is, who are the best fits for the veteran edge rusher ready to make an impact?

Chandler Jones landing spot no. 5: Pittsburgh Steelers

The Steelers have a ton of cap space with holes to fill on offense. No, the Steelers don’t need another pass rusher. After all, they have arguably the best pass rusher in the NFL in TJ Watt. However, a team can never have too many pass rushers.

With Big Ben gone, adding Jones gives the Steelers a chance to get back to hard nose Steeler football. They’ll dominate on defense and run the ball on offense. Joe Burrow just represented the AFC in the Super Bowl, and Lamar Jackson will be healthy. Jones gives them another dynamic edge rusher who’ll help them get after the stars in the AFC North.

For Jones, he’ll go from teaming up with one Watt brother (JJ Watt) to another. Adding Jones will reunite him with his former coach, Brian Flores. During their Patriot tenure, Jones played on edge with his hand down, Flores coached linebackers. With the Steelers, Jones will play from a two-point stance and get after the quarterback opposite of TJ Watt.

Another team may offer Jones more money, but the Steelers is one of the most consistent franchises in the NFL. They’ll need to add more pieces on offense — a move like this makes them hard to beat.