The Las Vegas Raiders defense was much improved in 2023, especially down the stretch of the season. Led by Maxx Crosby, the defense outperformed expectations and often kept the Raiders in games as the offense struggled. But there are some big names who could be added this offseason and make a huge impact.
At the top of that list is a familiar face in Kansas City Chiefs defensive tackle Chris Jones. Currently preparing for the Super Bowl, Jones has been arguably the best defensive tackle in all of football over the past two years and will be a free agent this offseason.
And Crosby would be all for adding him to the silver and black, telling Austin Boyd of Heavy.com that he would take Jones on the Raiders ‘in a heartbeat’:
“I mean, I would take Chris Jones in a heartbeat,” Crosby told Heavy Sports in a February 1 interview. “I know Chris really well. So I mean, there are a lot of guys in free agency, a lot of great defensive tackles. It would be it would be awesome. I mean, Chris Jones is one of the best in the game, if not the best at what he does. I know he’s a Chief, but at the end of the day, if you want to come to the Raiders, come on down. I’m all for it.”
It isn’t difficult to see why Crosby would love to have Jones on board. He is an absolute force on the interior, totaling 10.5 sacks and 29 quarterback hits on his way to being an All-Pro First-Team selection for the second year in a row. The pairing of Jones and Crosby on the line would be basically unstoppable.
The question is whether he would leave the Chiefs with all of the success they have had, but money always talks. Jones didn’t report to Chiefs camp this year and even sat out the team’s season opener while holding out for a new contract, not returning until they agreed on a restructured one-year deal.
If the two sides continue to struggle to come to an agreement, the Raiders could make him a priority and look to bring him in. While he would be an expensive player to sign, the impact he brings is more than worth it.
