Chandler Jones could remain in the desert for the foreseeable future.
Jones, who recently had the franchise tag placed on him by the Cardinals, is finalizing a five-year contract extension with Arizona, NFL Media’s Ian Rapoport reported Wednesday, citing sources.
The veteran pass rusher was slated to earn about $14.6 million in 2017 under the franchise tender, but it sounds like the Cardinals are prepared to open the checkbook for the 27-year-old, who’s coming off a season in which he recorded 11 sacks while playing in all 16 regular-season games for Arizona.
Jones, a first-round pick in 2012 (21st overall), spent his first four seasons with the New England Patriots before being traded to Arizona for a 2016 second-round pick and guard Jonathan Cooper last March. He recorded a career-high 12.5 sacks during the 2015 season.
Jones’ new contract could put him among the NFL’s top-paid pass rushers. Only Khalil Mack of the Oakland Raiders (26.0) and Von Miller (24.5) of the Denver Broncos have more sacks than Jones (23.5) over the last two seasons.
Thumbnail photo via Mark J. Rebilas/USA TODAY Sports Images
