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New England Patriots: 5 ex-players who could reunite with team

By Tarringo Basile-vaughan

FOXBORO, MA - JANUARY 16: Chandler Jones #95 of the New England Patriots looks on during warm ups prior to the AFC Divisional Playoff Game against the Kansas City Chiefs at Gillette Stadium on January 16, 2016 in Foxboro, Massachusetts. (Photo by Maddie Meyer/Getty Images)
FOXBORO, MA - JANUARY 16: Chandler Jones #95 of the New England Patriots looks on during warm ups prior to the AFC Divisional Playoff Game against the Kansas City Chiefs at Gillette Stadium on January 16, 2016 in Foxboro, Massachusetts. (Photo by Maddie Meyer/Getty Images) /
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New England Patriots Chandler Jones (Photo by Justin Edmonds/Getty Images)
New England Patriots Chandler Jones (Photo by Justin Edmonds/Getty Images) /

1. Chandler Jones

As Chandler Jones continues to rack up the sacks in Arizona, one has to wonder how good the New England Patriots pass rush would be if Bill Belichick decided to keep Jones and not trade him for Jonathan Cooper and a second-round pick back in 2016.

While it’s a business and the trade was mostly due to Jones’ expiring rookie contract, the move was questioned at the time due to the team’s need for an edge rusher.

As it turned out, Trey Flowers eventually filled that role and the Patriots at least got offensive lineman Joe Thuney out of the deal.  They did draft Malcolm Mitchell with one of the picks that resulted from the deal, but he retired after just one full season in the NFL.

Chandler Jones did get his big pay day with the Cardinals, but because it’s a business, there is no guarantee he’ll be there throughout the entirety of the contract without either taking a pay cut eventually or being placed on the trade market depending on the direction of the Cardinals either in 2019 or somewhere in the future.

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Like Jamie Collins, if Jones is somehow made available and the New England Patriots are still looking for a pass rusher, a more seasoned and mature Chandler Jones would be enticing.  He knows the system, he understands the “Patriot Way” and he’s versatile as he has played special teams while with the Patriots.

With his 17 sacks in 2019, it appears Jones is a cornerstone player for the Arizona Cardinals on defense right now, but situations quickly change in the NFL.  Chandler Jones could be back in a Patriots’ uniform before his career is over.

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