How the Cardinals can address Chandler Jones’ contract this offseason
The Arizona Cardinals do not have much money to work with under that salary cap as they prepare for the offseason. As of the time this was published, they had approximately $9 million in cap space, based on a $176 million salary cap in 2021.
Their biggest cap hit is for outside linebacker Chandler Jones, who, in the final year of his contract, will count more than $20.8 million against the cap.
The Cardinals have options this offseason when it comes to dealing with his contract.
Let’s go over those possibilities and what they could mean.
The Cardinals can do nothing
Vincent Carchietta-USA TODAY Sports
It isn't often that a veteran with a five-year contract sees the contract play out in its entirety. He will be 31 years old and has played at a high level thus far. Thet could simply let his contract play out and see what happens. He is at the age where pass rushers can see a decline. However, this does nothing to change his cap hit in 2021 and limits what the Cardinals can do this offseason.
The Cardinals can cut him
This would be on the more shocking side of things, considering he had 19 sacks just two seasons ago. However, he is going to be 31 years old, he is coming off an injury that cost him his 2020 season and, in four games last season, he had only one sack. He wasn't getting to the quarterback at the same rate in years past. This would be tough to see in the locker room, as he is a team captain and one of the team's best players, but it would save them $15.5 million in cap space, which, through how the first year of new contracts can be manipulated under the cap, could be enough money to get the Cardinals two starters. That money could be used, in part, to re-sign Haason Reddick. If the team feels Jones is in decline and Reddick still can produce at that level or even more, now would be the time to make the move. It seems like this is an unlikely scenario, but the NFL is a tough business, especially for players 30 and older.
The Cardinals could try and extend his contract
Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports
The Cardinals could also try to extend his contract to finish his career in Arizona. It would allow them to spread the cap hit out and keep him in Arizona. The risk, though, would be if he doesn't come back from his injury and play at a level equivalent from 2016-2019. Also, if he believes he still has another great season in him, since he is relatively underpaid as an elite pass rusher by the market's standard, he might not want to extend his deal right now, especially after his injury. Betting on himself could net him more money next offseason.
The Cardinals could restructure or "extend" his contract
(Photo by Otto Greule Jr/Getty Images)
This is an interesting option because it would basically just "kick the can down the road" with the cap. When players have multiple years remaining on their contracts, it is common to see them restructure a deal to save cap space, converting salary money into a one-time bonus ahead of the season, thus reducing the cap hit in that year. Jones has no extra years on his contract, so it would take some manipulation. With $15.5 million due to him in 2021, they could "extend" his contract by one year, but make it a year that automatically voids. The Cardinals have made many deals work in free agency over the years to spread the cap hit of signing bonuses. If they converted $12 million of his salary into a bonus and added a voidable year for 2022, his cap hit for 2021 would be reduced by $6 million. He would still become a free agent and could test the market and the Cardinals would then carry forward $6 million in dead money against the cap in 2022. Ideally, the cap would go back up and it wouldn't be too big of an issue. For a team trying to win now, this might be the best option. Listen to the latest from Cards Wire's Jess Root on his podcast, Rise Up, See Red. Subscribe on Apple podcasts or Spotify. Latest show:
Previous shows:
and
1
1
