Background and career
Chandler James Jones (born February 27, 1990) is an American former professional football player who was a defensive end in the National Football League (NFL) for 12 seasons. He played college football for the Syracuse Orange and was selected by the New England Patriots in the first round of the 2012 NFL draft. He also played for the Arizona Cardinals and the Las Vegas Raiders. Jones is the younger brother of former UFC heavyweight champion and former UFC light heavyweight champion Jon Jones and former NFL player Arthur Jones.
Jones was born in Rochester, New York, to parents Arthur Jr. and Camille Jones. Jones attended Union-Endicott High School, where he played high school football. He was a 2007 SuperPrep All-Northeast and PrepStar All-East Region selection. Jones was ranked as the eighth-best prospect of the state of New York by Scout.com.
Jones attended and played college football at Syracuse University from 2008 to 2011. After not playing as a freshman for the Orange in 2008, he appeared in 12 games as a sophomore. He totaled 52 combined tackles and 1.5 sacks. As a junior in 2010, he recorded 57 total tackles, four sacks, four passes defensed, and three forced fumbles. As a senior in 2011, Jones played in only seven games due to injury, but still was an All-Big East selection after recording 39 tackles and 4.5 sacks. On December 30, 2011, Jones announced that he would enter the 2012 NFL draft. Jones left the university one class short of graduating. He finally completed his degree at Syracuse in 2020, graduating with a bachelor's in child and family studies.
Jones was considered one of the best defensive end prospects for the 2012 NFL draft.
Jones was selected by the New England Patriots in the first round with the 21st overall selection. He was the highest selected player from Syracuse since defensive end Dwight Freeney in 2002. On May 23, 2012, Jones signed a four-year contract with the Patriots. As a rookie, Jones was immediately thrust into the starting right defensive end slot for the Patriots in 2012. In Week 1 against the Tennessee Titans, Jones strip-sacked quarterback Jake Locker, with fellow rookie teammate Dont'a Hightower recovering the ball and returning it for a touchdown. A week later Jones sacked Arizona Cardinals quarterback Kevin Kolb, forcing a fumble that was recovered by the Patriots. In Week 6 against the Seattle Seahawks, Jones recorded two sacks on quarterback Russell Wilson and managed to provide some good pressure on the Seahawks offensive line, forcing one fumble in that game. Jones made his sixth career sack in Week 8 against the St. Louis Rams by dropping Sam Bradford to the turf in London, England. In 14 games (13 starts) of his rookie season in 2012, Jones produced 45 tackles, six sacks, five passes defended, and three forced fumbles. He was named to the PFWA All-Rookie Team.
In a game against the Baltimore Ravens, quarterback Tyrod Taylor fumbled the snap and Jones recovered it in the end zone for the first touchdown of his career. Jones started all 16 games in 2013 recording 42 tackles with 11.5 sacks, 1 forced fumble, and a fumble recovery returned for a touchdown.
