One former Bears starter has found a new home. After spending the last two seasons in Chicago, veteran defensive tackle Justin Jones is signing with the Arizona Cardinals.
According to Peter Schrager of the NFL Network, the deal is for three years and $30.1 million, with $19.75 million guaranteed. That’s far more than the two-year, $12 million deal he inked with the Bears during the 2022 offseason.
Jones, 27, was durable over his two seasons in the Windy City, starting all 17 games both years. He led the team in tackles-for-loss both years, as well, finishing with 12 TFLs in 2022 and 10 in 2023.
Cardinals’ Nabbing Justin Jones Leaves Bears With Big Hole in Middle of Defense
Walter Payton Man of the Year nominee Justin Jones with the BIG SACK.
( @ChicagoBears )
— Bleacher Nation Bears (@BN_Bears) December 24, 2023
According to Pro Football Reference’s stats, Jones finished his 2023 campaign with 49 total tackles (10 for loss), 17 quarterback hits, four passes defensed and a career-high 4.5 sacks.
Pro Football Focus’s stats for him were a bit different, marking him at 36 total tackles, 5.0 sacks, 18 hurries, 13 quarterback hits and three passes defensed last season.
With Jones now out of the picture, the Bears will be needing to address the defensive tackle position, stat.
“You can never have enough pass rushers and never enough corners, so we’re gonna just keep bringing them in,” head coach Matt Eberflus said in January at the team’s season-ending press conference. “If we have something there available to us — we love the players currently on our roster for sure. They’ve done a really good job. The D-line really played well this year, for sure. We’re always looking to enhance that.”
Who Is Still Available at DT for the Chicago Bears?
A perfect free agent fit? 👀
Arik Armstead has 188 QB pressures and 20.5 sacks since 2020 💥 pic.twitter.com/GyJJ9kKUoz
— PFF CHI Bears (@PFF_Bears) March 11, 2024
With Jones headed to Arizona and other top DTs such as Christian Wilkins heading to the Las Vegas Raiders and Justin Madubuike re-signing with the Baltimore Ravens on a huge $100 million deal, the bulk of the best defensive tackles are no longer available.
Arik Armstead is still out there, though. The veteran defensive tackle is set to be released by the San Francisco 49ers after they could not reach an agreement on a new contract. If the Niners elect to designate him as a post June 1 cut, it should be announced after the new league year begins on March 13.
Armstead, 30, was limited to 12 games in 2023 with foot and knee injuries, but he was incredibly effective when healthy. He finished with 27 total tackles (4 for loss), 5.0 sacks and 13 QB hits.
The veteran DT revealed after the season that he had been playing through a torn meniscus suffered during the 2023 postseason. He had surgery to repair it, so his health will be a huge factor.
If he’s healthy, though, Armstead is a solid option at DT for the Bears.
Another option is Cincinnati Bengals veteran D.J. Reader. After spending the last four seasons in Cincinnati, Reader, who turns 30 in July, could land elsewhere in 2024. Reader started 14 games for the Bengals last season, finishing with 34 total tackles (two for loss), 1.0 sacks, 7 QB hits and a fumble recovery.
The Bears already have a promising young defensive tackle in Gervon Dexter, who enters his second season in 2024. Still, adding a veteran now that Jones is gone is a paramount issue for Chicago.
