Franchise Tag Placed on Chandler Jones
By Jeremy Meek
Chandler Jones was officially give the franchise tag today
In a move that isn’t really a surprise to anyone, the Arizona Cardinals used their franchise tag on linebacker, and pass rush expert, Chandler Jones. The team has said all along this off-season that they would choose this route if a contract wasn’t worked out.
The Cardinals have a number of key free agents to deal with, including impact starters like Calais Campbell and Tony Jefferson. Jones was set to be on that list as well, but Head Coach Bruce Arians has intimated all along that they would keep him at all cost. The MMQB’s Albert Breer confirmed that today.
The Cardinals have officially placed the franchise tag on OLB/DE Chandler Jones.
— Albert Breer (@AlbertBreer) February 27, 2017
Jones was brought to Arizona in March of last year in a trade where he came to the desert, while guard Jonathan Cooper and a draft pick went to the New England Patriots. In his first season with the Cardinals, Jones proved his value, recording 11 sacks, 15 tackles for a loss, 3 passes defensed, 4 forced fumbles, and 2 fumble recoveries.
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One of the league’s premier pass rushers, Jones have averaged over 10 sacks per year over the last four seasons. The former first round pick has overcome any worries about his size and skill-set that he had coming out of Syracuse.
The Cardinals and Jones can still work on a long term contract, but if that doesn’t happen, the team will pay him the average of the top five players at his position, or approximately $14 million, in 2017. He earned a little under $8 million last season, so the franchise tag represents nearly a double in his salary. He has earned it.
The Cardinals were the first team to use the franchise tag this offseason, and can now focus on other players when free agency begins next month. There are likely to be a number of changes in Arizona this season, but this assures that their top pass rusher will be back.