Cardinals, LB Chandler Jones finalize a 5-year extension

Mar 9, 2017, 5:03 PM | Updated: Mar 10, 2017, 9:28 am

FILE - In this Jan. 1, 2017, file photo, Arizona Cardinals linebacker Chandler Jones smiles in the fourth quarter of an NFL football game against the Los Angeles Rams, in Los Angeles. The Cardinals have placed a non-exclusive franchise tag on outside linebacker Chandler Jones after failing to reach a long-term deal with the player. The "non-exclusive" tag allows the Cardinals to continue negotiating with Jones through July 15. (AP Photo/John Cordes, FIle)

(AP Photo/John Cordes, FIle)

BY ADAM GREEN

Arizona Sports

The Arizona Cardinals knew when they traded for Chandler Jones they would need to address his contract this offseason, and they have done exactly that, agreeing to a five-year contract.

Chandler Jones's agreement with Arizona is 5 yrs, $83M. Gets $16.5M/yr and has a guarantee of $53M.

— Jason La Canfora (@JasonLaCanfora) March 9, 2017

Jones, who was acquired from the New England Patriots for guard Jonathan Cooper and a 2016 second-round pick, had an impressive debut season in Arizona, tallying 11 sacks, four forced fumbles and two fumble recoveries. He amassed 57 tackles, 15 tackles for loss, 14 QB pressures and 22 QB hits.

With Jones and the emergence of second-year linebacker Markus Golden, who led the Cardinals with 12.5 sacks, leading the way, the Cardinals led the NFL with 48 sacks a season after finishing tied for 20th with 36.

Jones, who turned 27 last month, has 47 career sacks. He was a Pro Bowler in 2015 after a 12.5-sack season with the Patriots, and was recognized as a Pro Bowl alternate last season.

The long-term contract agreement comes after the Cardinals had placed the franchise tag on the linebacker, which would have likely led to him playing under a lucrative one-year deal had a multiyear agreement not gotten done by July 15. By signing him to a long-term contract, it is likely Jones’ salary cap number would be lower than what it would have been had he played under the franchise tag.

That a deal has been finalized is no surprise since locking Jones up was named as a priority by Cardinals GM Steve Keim and coach Bruce Arians. Back in December when asked about signing a long-term deal to stay in Arizona, Jones said, “I would love to be here, for sure.”

For what it’s worth, Jones’ teammates seem excited and/or impressed by the news: