Jordan Jones Signs $42M Deal With NFL's Las Vegas Raiders

Jordan Jones Signs $42M Deal With NFLs Las Vegas Raiders...

Linebacker Jordan Jones has agreed to a three-year, $42 million contract with the Las Vegas Raiders, the team announced Wednesday. The deal includes $28 million guaranteed, making Jones one of the highest-paid defensive players in free agency this offseason.

The 27-year-old former Cincinnati Bengals standout is trending after his surprise move to the AFC West. Jones recorded 112 tackles and 4.5 sacks last season, establishing himself as a premier pass rusher. His signing addresses a critical need for the Raiders, who ranked 28th in total defense in 2025.

Raiders head coach Antonio Pierce called Jones "a game-changing presence" who will immediately bolster their front seven. The signing comes as Las Vegas looks to compete in a division featuring Patrick Mahomes' Kansas City Chiefs and Justin Herbert's Los Angeles Chargers.

NFL analysts note the Raiders overpaid slightly for Jones, but the aggressive move signals their urgency to improve. Fans in Las Vegas celebrated the news on social media, with many calling it the team's best defensive acquisition in years. Jones will wear No. 55 for the Raiders.

The contract makes Jones the NFL's sixth-highest-paid linebacker. His $14 million average annual value trails only Fred Warner, Roquan Smith, and Tremaine Edmunds. Jones was originally a fifth-round pick out of Kentucky in 2019 before developing into a Pro Bowl-caliber player.

Free agency officially begins at 4 p.m. ET Wednesday, but teams were permitted to negotiate with players starting Monday. The Raiders moved quickly to secure Jones, who reportedly turned down similar offers from the Chicago Bears and New York Jets.

Jones' departure leaves a significant hole in Cincinnati's defense. The Bengals are now expected to target linebacker help in next month's draft. Meanwhile, the Raiders continue reshaping their roster after finishing 7-10 last season.