Chandler Jones, Arizona Cardinals (Photo by Christian Petersen/Getty Images)
Cardinals linebacker Chandler Jones has previously voiced his frustration about his current contract and now he wants out of Arizona.
With Cardinals training camp set to begin on Tuesday, one player that could miss the start of team workouts is All-Pro Linebacker Chandler Jones. ESPN’s Jeremy Fowler reports Jones has requested a trade, following up on his unhappiness with his current deal.
Jones, 31, is in the final season of a five-year, $82.5 million deal before becoming an unrestricted free agent. He’ll earn $15.5 million plus an additional $5.33 million for the 2021-22 season, making him the highest paid player on the Cardinals.
The three-time Pro Bowler was limited to just five games last season due to a biceps injury which required surgery. Prior to that, he became one of the league’s best pass rushers and averaged 16.3 sacks per season while playing in all 16 games from 2017-2019.
Losing Chandler Jones would be a big loss for the Cardinals
Arizona is under impression Jones is “excited” to play with the the newly acquired J.J. Watt despite his well-documented frustration. Jones has already missed the team’s previous offseason workouts.
It would be a big loss for a Cardinals defense which Jones has led for five of his nine-year pro career. He previously played for the Patriots from 2012-2015, and played a critical role in New England’s Super Bowl team in 2015. The Cardinals acquired Jones in a trade for guard Jonathan Cooper and a 2016 second-round pick in the following season.
While Arizona isn’t known to publicly discuss contract disputes with personnel, they could be hesitant to extend Jones given his age and the money committed to other players. Watt was brought in on a two-year, $28 million deal and Pro Bowlers DeAndre Hopkins and Budda Baker will each earn double-digit salaries over the next few seasons as well.