Cardinals & Chandler Jones Discussing Long-Term Deal To Replace Franchise Tag

Jason Cole of B/R is reporting that the Cardinals and franchise DE Chandler Jones are currently in negotiations regarding a long-term extension.

The Cardinals placed their franchise tag on Jones last week in a move that will run them $15.701 million fully guaranteed for the 2017 season. The two parties will have until July to negotiate a long-term extension, but after that, they wouldn’t be able to discuss a new deal until the following year.

While it was clear that Jones was going to be franchised, the Cardinals made it clear that they planned to focus on getting a long-term extension in place sooner than later.

Jones, 26, is a former first-round pick of the Patriots back in 2012. He played out his four-year, $8.173 million contract before the Patriots picked up his fifth-year option back in April of 2015.

The Patriots elected to trade Jones to the Cardinals last offseason for G Jonathan Cooper and a 2016 second-round pick.

In 2016, Jones appeared in all 16 games and recorded 49 tackles, 11 sacks, two forced fumbles, four fumble recoveries and three pass defenses for the Cardinals. Pro Football Focus has him rated as the No. 7 edge rusher out of 109 qualifying players.