Arizona Cardinals’ linebacker Chandler Jones finished 2019 with a career-high 19.0 sacks, but it looks like the 30-year-old All-Pro doesn’t intend to stop there. For this year, Jones aims to top that mark and go for NFL record.
Speaking with reporters on Thursday, Jones said that he set a personal goal for this season to break the single-season record of 22.5 sacks posted by legendary New York Giants’ defensive end Michael Strahan.
“I don’t think that’s hard to get,” said Jones. “And I feel like if there was a year to do it, this could be the year to do it, honestly, for me. That’s a personal goal of mine. But we have more help on our team. We have a better team.”
Jones had double digits in sacking all but two years since entering the league in 2012. His 96.0 career sacks already placed him 41th on the all-time list, and he’s only 30 years old.
“I feel like I’m getting closer and closer,” he added. “And I don’t feel older, and I had a pretty decent year last year. I feel even better actually. With some of this time off my body got some time to rest. So why not? Why not? Why can’t I break the record? So, we’ll see, for sure.”
Although no one managed to top Strahan since 2001, several players came really close. Jared Allen had 22.0 with Minnesota Vikings in 2011 while Justin Houston also got to 22.0 in 2014 with Kansas City Chiefs.
