Jones asks Cardinals for trade amid contract dispute
Linebacker Chandler Jones is in the final year of his contract and is unhappy that the Arizona Cardinals aren't willing to negotiate, spurring trade rumors.
Arizona Cardinals Pro Bowl linebacker Chandler Jones has requested a trade before the start of the regular season, according to ESPN.
Jones big part of Arizona defense
Jones missed offseason duties after contract issues has left the former Syracuse pass rusher upset with the team he has been with since 2016.
With training camp lurking, Jones will have a decision to make. If he holds out he will be fined $50,000 a day after the current collective bargaining agreement made it mandatory for teams to enforce fines.
Bicep injury cut Jones' 2020 season short
The 31 year old defender played just five games before having surgery on his bicep. The Cardinals are hopeful the addition of J.J. Watt on the front line will persuade the former Super Bowl champ to stay with the team.
If the Cardinals decide not to trade Jones, and Jones plays out the season in Arizona he will enter the free agent market next offseason.
Almost 50 sacks in three years before injury
Jones is set to make $15.5 million in the final year of his contract, and has been an integral part of the Cardinals defense. From 2017-19 Jones played in every regular season game and recorded 49 sacks before the bicep injury in week 6 sidelined him for the the rest of the year.
The Cardinals have already had an expensive offseason. Watt signed a $28 million dollar deal, and Arizona made DeAndre Hopkins the highest paid receiver in the league.