Getty ESPN's Aaron Schatz predicted the Detroit Lions to add 5-time All-Pro defensive tackle Chris Jones in NFL free agency.
With Super Bowl expectations heading into 2024, the Detroit Lions have the motivation to make a big move in NFL free agency. The Lions also possess the capacity for a splash signing because of their $54.2 million in cap space according to Spotrac. For those reasons, ESPN’s Aaron Schatz projected the Lions to target defensive tackle Chris Jones.
On March 1, Schatz named Jones the one important free agent the Lions should sign this offseason.
“Jones ranked second among all defensive tackles in pass rush win rate last season (19.6%), and he had the highest double-team rate at 72%,” Schatz wrote. “If he makes it to free agency, he would be a huge addition to the Lions’ defense and could be the difference-maker who finally brings them to the Super Bowl.”
Jones is coming off the first pair of back-to-back double-digit sack seasons of his career. In 2022, he tied his career bests with 15.5 sacks and 29 quarterback hits. Then during 2023, he posted 10.5 sacks with 29 quarterback hits again.
He made first-team All-Pro in each of the past two seasons. Jones has also been a Pro Bowler five consecutive years.
According to Spotrac, Jones has accumulated about $90.2 million in total earnings during his NFL career. Spotrac also projected him to be worth roughly $85.4 million on a 3-year contract this offseason.
Why Signing Chris Jones Would Make Sense for the Detroit Lions
Every team in the league would likely love to add Jones.
He will turn 30 in July, but Jones has improved with age. Since 2018, he’s recorded 67 sacks with 68 tackles for loss and 152 quarterback hits in 91 games. He also had 26 pass defenses and 8 forced fumbles during that stretch.
The Lions have Aidan Hutchinson and Alim McNeill already on their defensive line. Both are budding stars, especially Hutchinson, who reached double-digit sacks for the first time in 2023.
But Hutchinson and McNeill were the only Lions defenders who had more than 3 sacks last season. Detroit could use another pass rusher.
An elite defensive tackle such as Jones could raise the Lions defense to a championship level, where the Detroit offense has been the past two seasons.
The Lions finished tied for 23rd in the NFL in sacks last year. They were also 27th in pass defense and 29th in net yards allowed per pass attempt.
Signing Jones could improve the Lions significantly in all of those statistical categories.
Will Jones Be Available in NFL Free Agency?
Before having the opportunity to sign Jones, though, the Lions have to wait and see if he will be available.
The Kansas City Chiefs could re-sign Jones before the start of free agency. Placing the franchise tag on Jones was another possibility. However, Bleacher Report’s Jordan Schultz reported on February 28 that the Chiefs used the tag on cornerback L’Jarius Sneed. Each NFL team can only use the franchise tag on one player each offseason.
NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport reported on February 28 that the Chiefs have given Sneed permission to seek a trade.
Ironically, the Lions have been mentioned as a potential trade destination for Sneed. But if the Chiefs don’t trade Sneed, then Kansas City keeping Jones becomes less likely because of the large contracts each player is likely to demand this offseason.
Should Sneed play the 2024 season on the franchise tag, he will have a $19.8 million cap hit.
If Jones reaches free agency, he figures to be in high demand. Pro Football Focus ranked Jones the No. 1 potential free agent of the 2024 offseason. Free agent rankings from NFL.com and The Sporting News also had Jones at No. 1.
Such a free agent will not be cheap. But Jones will very likely have a large impact on whatever team he plays for in 2024.