Patriots Pick Up DE Chandler Jones’ Fifth-Year Option

Will Brinson of CBSSports.com reports that the Patriots have exercised DE Chandler Jones‘ fifth-year option.

• The Patriots picked up LB Donta Hightower’s on option on Wednesday, so this really shouldn’t come as a major surprise.

This move will cost the Patriots’ $7.799 million for the 2016 season. However, this figure is guaranteed for injury only and wouldn’t prevent them from working out a long-term deal that would come with a lower cap figure.

Jones, 25, has one year remaining on his four-year, $8.173 million rookie contract that included $7.42 million guaranteed. He’ll make a base salary of $1,504,568 for the 2015 season.

In 2014, Jones appeared in 10 games for the Patriots and recorded 43 tackles, six sacks, two forced fumbles, a recovery and two pass defenses.