PFF explores potential outcomes in Jones’ reported trade request to Cards

ESPN’s Jeremy Fowler reported that Arizona Cardinals pass rusher Chandler Jones has requested a trade this offseason, leaving several different avenues of what could come next.

A majority of them, oftentimes, do not even include the departure of the player.

Pro Football Focus explored some of the potential outcomes of the Cardinals’ situation with Jones, using past examples in the league of what the solution could be.

Two off the jump could be a restructured deal for Jones. As PFF notes, that should be of interest to the Cardinals given Jones’ importance.

While Jones is 31 years old on the other side of this career and is coming off a five-game season due to injury, he also had 60 combined sacks in his first four seasons with Arizona. That included a recent 19 in 2019.

With PFF looking for some inspiration, the New England Patriots gave cornerback Stephen Gilmore an additional $5 million in salary last offseason, while the Minnesota Vikings reworked edge rusher Danielle Hunter’s deal to create an immediate signing bonus.

Based off those examples, PFF’s Brad Spielberger and Austin Gayle broke down the nuts and bolts with Jones’ contract.

Here, Jones is only under contract for the 2021 season. However, perhaps Arizona could convert some salary into a bonus and also add a no-tag provision to his contract, thus ensuring he will hit the open market in 2022 if he so chooses.

For now, Jones’ $20.8 million 2021 cap hit ranks fourth among edge defenders and accounts for roughly 11.4% of the total 2021 salary cap. Arizona also stands to benefit here from a salary cap perspective if they can work out a multi-year extension and spread some of that cap hit down the line.

From there, what’s next if that can’t be worked out? Well, a trade, which brings up value.

PFF thinks a second-round pick is about right in terms of the best to expect.

A second-round pick would most likely be the top draft pick Arizona could recoup in a Jones trade because of his age and the fact he’d be looking for a new contract wherever he ends up. If Jones shows a willingness to play elsewhere without a new deal, an acquiring team may take the gamble of bringing him aboard for just one year with the hopes of earning a third-round compensatory draft pick following the 2021 season.

And at long last, there’s the often-discussed swap of two unsettled players, Jones for Miami Dolphins cornerback Xavien Howard.

Finally, a true blockbuster idea that could help two teams resolve contract-related holdout situations – and benefit both immensely on the football field – would be a swap of Jones for Miami Dolphins cornerback Xavien Howard. The star Dolphins cornerback is also unhappy with his contract situation, and the Cardinals are thin at the cornerback position even following the addition of Malcolm Butler in free agency. From a salary cap perspective, the move is close to net neutral, as Miami would just take on an additional $3.425 million in 2021 cap commitments barring any potential restructuring. Jones could then serve as a veteran mentor to 2021 No. 18 overall pick edge defender Jaelan Phillips. Arizona would likely have to throw in some minor draft capital on top of the player swap, but a Day 3 pick may be all that’s needed.

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