The Las Vegas Raiders have released defensive end Chandler Jones following his arrest in Las Vegas on Friday for allegedly violating a domestic violence temporary protective order. The decision was confirmed by a league source who spoke to ESPN’s Adam Schefter on Saturday.
Jones, who had been away from the Raiders since Labor Day weekend, had made a series of social media posts aimed at the team, owner Mark Davis, general manager Dave Ziegler and coach Josh McDaniels. The Raiders placed Jones on the non-football injury/illness list on September 20.
The 33-year-old had posted on social media earlier this week that he was taken to a hospital “against my will” last week by the Las Vegas Fire Department and later transferred to a behavioral health facility. He also made numerous posts on social media Thursday, including multiple live videos in which he could be seen rambling about numerous topics while sitting outside his home.
In a statement released on Friday, the Raiders said they were “hopeful that Chandler Jones receives the care that he needs. He, his family, and all those involved are in our thoughts.”
Jones had been in the second season of a three-year, $51 million contract he signed last year. As a result of his release, the Raiders are subject to approximately $12 million in dead money against the salary cap both in 2023 and 2024, as the team restructured Jones’ deal in March to create additional cap space.
Jones is in serious trouble
It is unclear whether the Raiders will attempt to recoup any of the previously paid money to Jones that would be permissible as a result of him being placed on the NFI list.
Jones posted bond on Friday and is due back in court on December 4, according to Clark County court records. The decision to release Jones comes as a surprise to many fans and analysts, who had expected the Raiders to work with Jones to address his personal issues and return him to the field.
ESPN’s Paul Gutierrez noted that “Jones’ release is a stunning development for a Raiders team that was counting on him to be a key piece of their defense this season. The team now faces significant salary cap challenges as they move forward without him.”
Despite the challenges facing the team, Gutierrez believes that the Raiders have made the right decision. “Given the serious nature of the allegations against Jones, it was unlikely that he would have been able to return to the field anytime soon,” he said. “The team had no choice but to cut ties with him and move on.”
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