Any boasting from Chandler Jones isn't really, well, boasting.
When the defensive end accidentally broke a blocking sled in training camp and later insisted, "I'm too powerful," he did it with a smile and a wink. The times when he stares down left tackle D.J. Humphries in practice and tells Humphries, "I don't even need gloves today, I'm about to whoop you," Jones can't keep the straight face before smiling and telling Humphries he's kidding.
He's not going to change now, even if he is coming off a season in which he led the NFL in sacks and deserved to be in the conversation for defensive Player of the Year. Even if he does seem to be an afterthought when people talk about dominant defensive players, as Aaron Donald and Khalil Mack get the accolades (along with giant contracts.) He has no interest in serving as his own hype man.
"That's not me at all," Jones said. "I'm not that kind of guy. I wasn't raised like that. I frown upon it when I see it. That's not what I stand for. But I see it. I would never come out and say, 'Oh, I'm the best defensive end. No one can block me, I led the NFL in sacks.' I'm not that person."
Jones deflects conversations about his statistical goals, repeatedly saying he'd only like to improve from the season before. That will be difficult after his team-record 17 sacks in 2017, a year in which he also proved very good against the run.
He's in a slightly new position, moving to end in the new 4-3 alignment rather than the 3-4 base former coordinator James Bettcher employed. Jones played 4-3 defensive end when he was in New England, and from the start he shrugged away any transition concerns.
For as much as Jones might like to be a little less known and perhaps someone less of a focus of an opposing offense's gameplan, such perspective is relative. "I mean, I'm pretty sure they know I'll be coming this year," he acknowledged.
"But I like being under the radar," he added. "I'm not here for the hype, the glory, the rankings. I'm here for wins."
Besides, Jones, who is going into his third year with the Cardinals, has others who will take up his case.
In a league where the top quarterbacks or receivers are often judged through the prism of numbers, Humphries doesn't understand why that wouldn't translate to pass rushers.
"Those dudes are those dudes – Khalil, Von (Miller) – and they deserve what they are getting," Humphries said. "But if you are going to bat an eyelash and say Chandler doesn't, and then we go to the paper and we see the numbers, that just doesn't make sense to me. I don't like it at all. It makes me so upset when I see media and everyone talking about Von and Khalil, and rightfully so, those guys are the real deal, but you're going to act like that dude is not?"
Mack's situation jumped to the forefront during his holdout and subsequent trade to the Bears. Over the past three seasons, Jones actually has more sacks (39 ½ to 36 ½) and more tackles for loss (55 to 54) than Mack.
Both ended up getting big contract extensions. Jones signed his five-year, $82.5 million deal before the 2017 season, then went out to have the best season of his career. As for Mack, he reportedly received a deal with a $34 million signing bonus on a six-year deal, worth up to $141 million from his new team.
"That's crazy," Jones said. "That's a lot of money. A lot of money."
As for any surprise Mack was dealt, Jones shook his head. "I mean, I got traded, so …
"It's a business. Surprise wouldn't be the word."
Defensive coordinator Al Holcomb didn't know Jones before he got to Arizona in January, although he admired his play. Now Holcomb sees the work ethic up close.
"Getting to know the man and the kind of person he is, you can definitely see why he excels when he is on the field," Holcomb said.
Jones has gotten comfortable in Arizona, after spending his first four seasons in New England. It's easy for him to wear a smile, to mug for social media, to keep things light with teammates. He is serious on the field, but he'll think of good ways to celebrate a sack.
The actual hype about his play? "If it becomes a big enough of a deal, (people that matter to me) know," Jones said.
"He has fun playing football and he does it at a high level," Humphries said. "I just don't think he gets the respect he deserves. I don't think it's fair. That dude is a GOAT for real."
Images of past matchups between the Cardinals and Sunday's opponent, Washington
Johnny Olszewski, Washington fullback, vaults across the line for a first-quarter touchdown against the Chicago Cardinals, Nov. 9, 1958, Washington, D.C. He is headed right for Bobby Gordon (47), Cardinal back. Dick Lane of the Cards is at left. Olszewski scored from one yard out.
Bobby Mitchell, flanker back for the Washington, makes a leaping catch on the goal line of a 38 yard pass from quarterback Norman Snead in the October 14, 1962 game in St. Louis against the Cardinals. Mitchell tumbled into the end zone on the play for a touchdown. Norman Beal is the Cardinal defender. The National Football League contest ended in a 17-17 tie.
St. Louis Cardinal end Dave Williams (80) leaps high for a J.M. Hart pass in the third quarter against Washington, Nov. 5, 1967, Washington, D.C. He could not hold the ball and it was ruled incomplete. Washington cornerback Jim Shorter is bringing him down. Washington linebacker Sid Williams (67) is in background. The Cardinals won 27-21.
St. Louis Cardinals MacArthur Lane (36) leaps over center in an attempt to get the 1 yard for a first down during the first quarter game on Sept. 27, 1970 at St. Louis. Lane came up about 3 inches short of the first down but a quarterback sneak by Cardinals Jim Hart made it on the next play. Washington Mike Bass moves in to make the stop on Lane.
Washington Larry Brown (43) goes around right end of the St. Louis Cardinal to score during the first quarter of Sept. 27, 1970 game at St. Louis. Brown manages to get away from Cardinals Larry Wilson (8) as he scores.
Washington running back John Riggins is followed into the end zone by St. Louis Cardinals Lee Nelson (38) and Charlie Baker (52) during the first quarter of their game in St. Louis, Oct. 9, 1983. Riggins touchdown run was for 17 yards.
Washington wide receiver Art Monk (81) just after he caught his 102nd pass of the season, Dec. 17, 1984. Monk set a new NFL record for receptions, during the game against the St. Louis Cardinals at RFK Stadium.
St. Louis Cardinals wide receiver Danny Pittman (85) runs upfield during an NFL game against Washington in St. Louis on October 21, 1984. The Cardinals defeated Washington 26-24.
St. Louis Cardinals wide receiver Pat Tilley (83) catches a pass during an NFL game against Washington in St. Louis on October 21, 1984. The Cardinals defeated Washington 26-24.
St. Louis Cardinals quarterback Neil Lomax, 15, is chased by Washington Dexter Manley, 72, during NFL action at RFK Memorial Stadium in Washington on Monday, Oct. 7, 1985.
Washington defensive end Dexter Manley (72) takes on St. Louis Cardinals tackle Luis Sharpe (67) during an NFL game in Washington, D.C., Oct. 19, 1986. Washington defeated the Cardinals 28-21.
St. Louis Cardinals tight end Doug Mash (80) runs away from Washington linebacker Neil Olkewicz (52) on a 17-yard reception during an NFL game in Washington, D.C., on October 19, 1986. Washington defeated the Cardinals 28-21.
St. Louis Cardinals quarterback Cliff Stoudt (18) throws a pass while being pressured by Washington defensive end Steve Hamilton (64) during an NFL game in Washington, D.C., on October 19, 1986. Washington defeated the Cardinals 28-21.
St. Louis Cardinals kicker John Lee (10) kicks a field goal during an NFL game against Washington in Washington, D.C., on October 19, 1986. Washington defeated the Cardinals 28-21.
Washington defensive end Dexter Manley (72) grabs the face mask of Phoenix Cardinals offensive lineman Luis Sharpe (67) during the NFL football game against the Phoenix Cardinals on Sept. 25, 1988 in Phoenix. The Cardinals won the game 30-21.
Arizona Cardinals quarterback Boomer Esiason (7) rests during an NFL game against Washington, Sunday, Dec. 15, 1996 in Tempe. The Cardinals won the game, 27 to 26.
Washington Brian Mitchell runs with a 63-yard punt return for a touchdown during an NFL Football game against the Arizona Cardinals on Sunday, Dec. 7, 1997 in Tempe, Arizona. Washington won 38-28.
Washington quarterback Gus Frerotte throws a pass over the arms of Arizona Cardinals left end Michael Bankston (63) during the fourth quarter at Jack Kent Cooke Stadium in Landover, Md., Sunday, Sept. 14, 1997. Washington won in overtime 19-13.
Washington wide receiver Michael Westbrook (82) catches a pass during an NFL football game against the Arizona Cardinals at RFK Stadium on November 22,1998 in Washington,D.C. The Cardinals won 45-42.
Arizona Cardinals quarterback Jake Plummer (16) dives across the goal line in the first quarter for the first of his three touchdowns on the day against Washington at Jack Kent Cooke Stadium in Landover, Md., on Sunday, Nov. 22, 1998. The Cardinals won 45-42.
Arizona Cardinals defensive tackle Mark Smith (93) is seen in action during an NFL game against Washington Nov. 5, 2000, in Tempe, Ariz.
Arizona Cardinals' Aeneas Williams (35) eludes Stephen Alexander after recovering a fumble by Stephen Davis in the first quarter Sunday, Nov. 5, 2000, in Tempe, Ariz. Williams ran 103 yards for the touchdown.
Arizona Cardinals defensive end Andre Wadsworth (90) is seen in action during an NFL game against Washington Nov. 5, 2000, in Tempe, Ariz.
Washington running back Stephen Davis, right, gains yardage as Arizona Cardinals' Pat Tillman defends during the second quarter in this Dec. 9, 2001 photo, at Sun Devil Stadium in Tempe, Ariz.
Chike Okeafor #56 of the Arizona Cardinals is blocked by Jon Jansen #76 of Washington at FedEx Field September 21 in Landover, Maryland. Washington won 24-17.
Jason Campbell #17 of Washington scrambles for yardage against the Arizona Cardinals at FedEx Field September 21 in Landover, Maryland. Washington won 24-17.
Arizona Cardinals Kurt Warner (13) during a game against Washington on October 21, 2007 at FedEx Field in Landover, Maryland. Washington beat the Arizona Cardinals 21-19.
Arizona Cardinals' Larry Fitzgerald (11) is tackled by Washington's LaRon Landry (30) and Chris Horton (48) during the second quarter of an NFL football game on Sunday, Sept. 21, 2008 in Landover, Md. Washington won 24-17.
Arizona Cardinals' Edgerrin James (32) fumbles the ball as he is hit by Washington's Reed Doughty (37) and Rocky McIntosh (52) during the first quarter of an NFL football game on Sunday, Sept. 21, 2008 in Landover, Md. Washington recovered the ball.
Arizona Cardinals quarterback Kevin Kolb (4) looks down the line of scrimmage in the first half of an NFL football game against Washington in Landover, Md., Sunday, Sept. 18, 2011.
Arizona Cardinals' Adrian Wilson goes for the pass intended for Washington Santana Moss during the first half of an NFL football game in Landover, Md., Sunday, Sept. 21, 2008. The pass was incomplete.
Washington wide receiver Santana Moss, right, chats with Arizona Cardinals cornerback Patrick Peterson before an NFL football game in Landover, Md., Sunday, Sept. 18, 2011.
Arizona Cardinals tight end Jeff King spikes the ball in the end zone after scoring a touchdown in the first half of an NFL football game against Washington in Landover, Md., Sunday, Sept. 18, 2011.
Arizona Cardinals quarterback Carson Palmer (3) eludes the pressure of Washington inside linebacker Will Compton (51) during the first half of an NFL football game, Sunday, Oct. 12, 2014, in Glendale, Ariz.
Arizona Cardinals wide receiver Larry Fitzgerald (11) falls into the end zone for a touchdown as Washington free safety E.J. Biggers (30) defends during the first half of an NFL football game, Sunday, Oct. 12, 2014, in Glendale, Ariz.
Arizona Cardinals running back Andre Ellington (38) escapes the reach of Washington defensive back Trenton Robinson (34) during the first half of an NFL football game, Sunday, Oct. 12, 2014, in Glendale, Ariz.
Arizona Cardinals defensive end Calais Campbell (93) lines up against Washington center Spencer Long (61) during the first half of an NFL football game, Sunday, Dec. 4, 2016, in Glendale, Ariz.
Arizona Cardinals running back David Johnson (31) scores a touchdown against Washington during the first half of an NFL football game, Sunday, Dec. 4, 2016, in Glendale, Ariz.
Arizona Cardinals middle linebacker Kevin Minter (51) sacks Washington quarterback Kirk Cousins (8) during the first half of an NFL football game, Sunday, Dec. 4, 2016, in Glendale, Ariz.
Arizona Cardinals quarterback Blaine Gabbert (7) scrambles with the ball during the second half of an NFL football game against Washington in Landover, Md., Sunday, Dec 17, 2017. Washington defeated the Cardinals 20-15.
Washington linebacker Josh Harvey-Clemons (40) tackles Arizona Cardinals running back D.J. Foster (37) during the first half of an NFL football game in Landover, Md., Sunday, Dec 17, 2017.
Arizona Cardinals wide receiver J.J. Nelson (14) pulls in a pass as Washington cornerback Bashaud Breeland (26) closes in during the first half of an NFL football game in Landover, Md., Sunday, Dec 17, 2017.
Arizona Cardinals running back Kerwynn Williams (33) carries the ball as Washington outside linebacker Ryan Kerrigan (91) chases him during the first half of an NFL football game in Landover, Md., Sunday, Dec 17, 2017.
