Cardinals star pass rusher Chandler Jones requested a trade this offseason, as Jeremy Fowler of ESPN.com reports (via Twitter). Jones is said to be unhappy with his contract situation — which has apparently been the case for a while now — and while the club expects him to report to camp, it remains a situation worth monitoring. 
Jones flirted with a holdout during minicamp in June, putting pressure on the front office for a new pact. Still, his decision took many by surprise, given his track record of showing up to practice and participating in all of the offseason’s voluntary work. Jones, 31, is currently set to enter the final year of his contract. As it stands, he’s scheduled to make $15.5MM. Given his age, he won’t beat Joey Bosa‘s five-year, $135MM re-up, but a shorter deal in the $20MM AAV neighborhood would make sense.
The Cardinals do not want to trade Jones, Fowler hears. Still, the three-time Pro Bowler is sending a clear message — he won’t be a happy camper unless the team pays him what he’s worth.
After acquiring him from the Patriots in 2016, the Cardinals gave Jones a five-year, $82.5MM deal in 2017. During his first four seasons in Arizona, Jones didn’t miss a game while averaging 15 sacks per season. He appeared in the first five games of 2020, collecting 11 tackles, one sack, and seven QB hits. However, a torn bicep forced him to miss the rest of the season. That didn’t help his leverage, but he’s doing a good job to try and recoup some of it this summer.
Rory Parks contributed to this post.
Cardinals are toast, instead of locking him up you go sign jj watt lol. Jones was probably like wtf….
Why should they…. He’s under contract and isn’t getting any younger…..
I agree with you, but he’s also younger than Watt
Watt brings national attention to the team. He is LOVED by the NFL & Fans. The October 24th game against the Texans will be one of the most watched games of the regular season.
Doubt it.
That doesn’t win football games
How many wins is that worth again?
It’s funny you think the owners care about wins. It will bring significant $$$.
It’s funny how you apparently don’t think winning correlates to making more money
Winning doesn’t correlate to making more money. Marketing the product is the key to generating a return. The Dallas Cowboys generate more revenue than any other franchise…by far. Why? Because they market their product significantly better than others. Guess who else is on the top 10..Bears, Jets, Washington, the giants. Winning doesn’t correlate to generating profit…MARKETING DOES.
Who cares?
Chandler Jones is better though
I’m sure if he has a down year he gets paid the same. You signed the contract blame your agent
It sucks how much new contracts make old contracts for like disrespect. Look around the league and new money cause a ripple and guys flip flop teams over dollars. If I’m him I’d stay under my current deal. Though the NFC West is deep and might not even make the playoffs with a good team. But where youngo isn’t always up to you. Be careful what you wish for.
Trade him to Atlanta they could really use him there.
Why do players sign long term contracts and then cry in the middle of it saying they deserve more. Honor your agreement otherwise sign one year deals every year.
Except that isn’t the case he is far from being in the middle of his deal.
Owners don’t honor the agreements
They honor the franchise tag contracts. every 2 years each position goes up in value. Sing short deals instead.
Chandler Jones for Zach Ertz and Lane Johnson.
Cards need the protection and Ertz is a bonus.
Eagles need the upgrade on defence
I doubt they get both of those players. Johnson is still necessary as a starter in Philadelphia, and any player that would need a new contract upon receipt would require more compensation than normal.
If only NFL teams would make trades…
Rework his contract for incentive laden bonuses up to 20-22M per season.
Let’s go Fins
The dude should be unhappy about being on the Cardinals, as that team is not going to be anywhere near the playoffs.
CHANDLER not making any FRIENDS in Arizona !!
Pivot!
Why would any NFL team sign a player to a multi-year contract anymore? It’s almost a guarantee that the last year is going to be a major headache. I mean I understand they have to outbid other teams, but there’s otherwise no sense in even doing it.
I’ve been wondering this too. No one ever seems happy to lock in their deals for multiple years.
On solution I have is to have contracts based on percentage of the team cap. Like having the star QB take up 15-25% of the team cap. Which is roughly what the other QBs do.
The money amounts are getting to the point where teams will only be offering long term deals if they have a cost friendly buy out option after the third year.