Cardinals Signing Ranked Among Worst Contracts Given
ARIZONA -- The Arizona Cardinals inked former Chicago Bears DL Justin Jones to a three-year, $31.2 million deal with $26.8 million guaranteed near the beginning of free agency.
For Arizona, the team was able to beef up their defensive line with Bilal Nichols joining them in the process from the Las Vegas Raiders.
The Cardinals needed help along the defensive front - and they certainly paid for it in free agency.
There's hope the moves - particularly in signing Jones - can help Arizona dominate the line of scrimmage moving forward.
Some aren't buying that.
Bleacher Report recently went through and ranked the best/worst contracts awarded in free agency, and Arizona's deal with Jones made the cut on the lesser side:
"This is just one of those annual March deals that doesn't make dollars and sense," wrote Brad Gagnon.
"Justin Jones was solid the last two years in Chicago and has been a decent starter for much of his career, but why is a rebuilding Arizona team paying a soon-to-be 28-year-old this kind of green when he'll likely never be a difference-maker?
"Among 76 interior defenders who played at least 50 percent of their teams' snaps in 2023, he ranked 67th with a Pro Football Focus grade of 49.3. That isn't a be-all and end-all, but it does say a lot considering he's also lacked splash plays throughout his six-year career to date.
"This likely won't end well for the Cards."
B/R wasn't the only outlet with that same sentiment, as PFF says the Cardinals overpaid for Jones' services:
"Jones brings a high motor and was the Bears’ Walter Payton Man of the Year nominee in 2023, always quick to talk some trash and energize the defense. Nonetheless, this payday dramatically outpaces his down-to-down production. He does have some occasional splash plays that illustrate what made him a Day 2 draft pick, but this is probably the deal we view as the most player-friendly signing so far this offseason."
More on that below:
