As expected, the Cardinals have placed the non-exclusive franchise tag on Chandler Jones. The Cardinals had until March 1 to make the call, but they are taking care of business early.
In theory, the non-exclusive tag allows room for Jones to land elsewhere if he signs another team’s offer sheet and the Cardinals opt not to match. However, any team signing Jones away would have to give Arizona two first-round picks. That’s a steep price to pay on top of whatever contract he commands. Therefore, Jones will likely play 2017 under a one-year, $14.55MM tender for linebackers unless the two sides reach agreement on a longer pact between now and July.
[RELATED: Follow Pro Football Rumors On Instagram]
In January, coach Bruce Arians said that the Cards would apply the franchise tag to Jones if they were unable to immediately lock him up to a long-term deal. Weeks later, Cardinals president Michael Bidwill gave additional confirmation of those plans.
“We’re not going to mess around with that,” Bidwill said with regards to Jones. “He’s a great pass rusher, but if we can’t agree to terms that work for us, we’re just going to franchise him. His people know that.”
In my most recent edition of the Free Agent Power Rankings, I had Jones as the No. 2 player available, second only to quarterback Kirk Cousins. Our defensive rankings by position naturally had Jones as the top edge rusher available. Now, that mantle belongs to teammate Calais Campbell.
Jones now becomes the first player to get hit with the franchise tag in the 2017 offseason. More players will receive the designation in the next 48 hours.
Don’t bring back Campbell he’s too old and Fitz and Palmer are gonna retire after the season start to get younger now so you don’t have to rebuild
You wouldn’t want Campbell back on a sensible one or two year deal?
He doesn’t want a sensible one or two year deal. He wants another monster contract. The reports are he is looking a deal that greatly exceeds the deal the Seahawks gave Bennett for 3 years 30 million. They can’t afford to bring him back without leaving other positions completely bare.
Agreed – I think he gets at least a 3 year deal with favorable cashflow and guarantees. Just making sure you don’t completely hate the guy haha
I’m pretty indifferent on Cambell. Even being a cardinal fan he is defiantly not one of my favorites. I’m much more partial to Pat P, Honey Badger, and Buccannon on defense. Don’t get me wrong Cambell is a good player but it just seems like he has never lived up to what he could have been. With all the physical tools he possesses he should be a JJ Watt type of player. I get that’s a high standard but at 6’8″ 300 and being as agile as he is he should be a much more dominant player than he has shown in his career.
Being 6’8 is not a positive buddy if it were why aren’t more 6’8 guys playing football. In a game where lower man wins such as in the trenches in the NFL too much height can be detrimental. 6-3 to 6-5 is ideal
Every player is always going to look for a huge contract. That doesn’t mean that’s what they’re going to get.
With all the teams in the league currently that have 50 million in cap space this offseason someone is going to look at what he has done the last 2 years and pat him
Honestly not really, I feel like there’s better younger free agents that I wouldn’t mind giving extra money to if I was in charge of course. Then again not a Cardinals fan just an observer