Raiders DE Chandler Jones has massive change coming into OTAs
The Las Vegas Raiders All-Pro had a rough 2022 season but looks to be getting ready for 2023.It's no secret the Raiders didn't get the production they expected to get from Chandler Jones in 2022. After signing a huge deal, he had one of his worst seasons, and probably the worst of his career excluding […]
The Las Vegas Raiders All-Pro had a rough 2022 season but looks to be getting ready for 2023.
It's no secret the Raiders didn't get the production they expected to get from Chandler Jones in 2022. After signing a huge deal, he had one of his worst seasons, and probably the worst of his career excluding 2020 when he was hurt.
This offseason he took a little different approach, one that kind of shocked a few people when he was seen coming into OTAs.
"Obviously, last year I went down with an injury the second to the last game of the season," Jones told the media. "With that injury, it's a little bit hard to work out and lift. I went through a whole rehab process, and as I was rehabbing, I kind of took my time as opposed to just jumping into weights and trying to gain muscle right away. So, got back healthy, then I started working out, lifting, and that's where I am. I'm kind of just building muscle right now. So, you kind of just shed the leaves off the tree and then growing them back on.”
Jones played at 265 pounds last season, which is fairly heavy and a good weight for his position. He could be around anywhere from 245-255 right now, which is a little lighter for the defensive end position.
Let's be honest, this may be one of the most important off-season's of his career. If he shows that he still has some juice left, he can continue playing this game, and he could continue doing it at a high level. If this season is bad, the Raiders already have his replacement, and Jones could just decide that maybe it is time to hang it up.
He has achieved enough to make that decision. He is already well past the 100-sack mark with 112 and has won plenty of awards throughout his career. But, is he ready to hang it up if 2023 goes wrong?
The other question is, is this weight loss by design? It's an important question to ask when you factor in his offseason and the things he has and hasn't been able to do because of the injury.
Being lighter doesn't always help you. That may mean he has lost some muscle, which, if you watch his tape, a lot of his talent comes from being just so strong, especially later in his career. Either way, after the season he just had, you would assume he would do something different this offseason, so this is definitely something to watch.
Featured Image Via Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports
