NFL teams
Josh Weinfuss, ESPN Staff Writer 7y

Chandler Jones gets reported $53 million guaranteed in new deal

NFL, Arizona Cardinals

TEMPE, Ariz. -- Outside linebacker Chandler Jones won't be getting any more questions about his future with the Arizona Cardinals.

Jones signed a five-year contract Friday, with multiple reports saying it is worth $83 million with $53 million guaranteed. It is believed to be the largest sum of guaranteed money handed out during this year's free-agency frenzy.

Jones' guaranteed money is the sixth-most for a defensive player in NFL history, according to ESPN Stats & Information, and it is the most among Cardinals players, unseating the $48 million Patrick Peterson received in 2014.

By comparison, the amount is the second-largest guarantee for a pass-rusher, behind the $70 million given to the Denver Broncos' Von Miller last season. It is $500,000 more than the guaranteed money given to Olivier Vernon of the New York Giants last season.

The Cardinals also announced Friday that they have agreed to a one-year contract with linebacker Karlos Dansby and a two-year deal with kicker Phil Dawson.

During a news conference Friday, Jones said the money wasn't as important as his teammates' respect.

"My biggest thing is just gaining the respect from the guys in the locker room," Jones said. "There'll always be rankings out there and stats out there saying the top three players and all this. My biggest thing is just earning the respect from those guys and jelling in with those guys because that's what's more important to me, honestly."

The Cardinals placed the franchise tag on Jones on Feb. 27 -- his 27th birthday -- giving them until July 15 to strike a deal. Word leaked earlier this week that the Cardinals and Jones were closing in on a contract.

"I knew their intentions were to sign a long-term deal," Jones said.

Jones had 11 sacks last season, a year after he notched a career-high 12.5 with New England in 2015. He has the third-most sacks during the past two seasons, trailing Oakland's Khalil Mack (26) and Denver's Miller (24.5).

Mack just finished the third year of his rookie deal, which will allow him to renegotiate with the Raiders. He's likely in line for one of the highest-paying contracts at the position. 

From the day he was traded for last March, Jones has been asked often about his future with the Cardinals. After Friday, all those questions can be put to rest.

"Every interview that I've had since I've been here, everyone's asked me, 'How long are you going to be here? Are you going to be a free agent? Are you going to test the market?'" Jones said Friday. "It's all over. Today's been a great day."

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