The Arizona Cardinals recently used the franchise tag to keep Chandler Jones from hitting free agency, and now they’ve rewarded him with a huge contract.
According to Jason La Canfora of CBS Sports it’s a five-year deal worth $84-85 million, with over $50 million guaranteed.
Jones was the big priority for Arizona this offseason. Team president Mike Bidwill made it clear before the team could even use the franchise tag that it would use it on Jones if no long-term deal was struck before the deadline. True to his word, Jones was tagged last month and the two sides have been working hard to secure a long-term deal ever since.
Last season after being traded to the Cardinals from the New England Patriots, Jones logged 11 sacks, which was the second-highest total for Arizona in 2016. He has tallied 47 sacks in his five-year career, appearing in 71 games while starting 67.
His ability to create pressure off the edge is a key component to the team’s defense going forward. This is why the Cardinals targeted him over the likes of Calais Campbell and Tony Jefferson, both of whom are expected to be lost in free agency.