Cardinals place franchise tag on Chandler Jones

The Arizona Cardinals have placed a non-exclusive franchise tag on pass-rusher Chandler Jones.

Should Jones sign the contract, he would play the 2017 season under a one-year, $14.6-million contract, Albert Breer of The MMQB reports. It would be a significant raise for Jones who earned just under $8 million in 2016, though the deal would offer him no security.

Under the non-exclusive tag, Jones can still shop for a contract with another team, but the Cardinals can match any offer or let him leave and receive two first-round draft picks in return.

The Cardinals acquired Jones in a trade with the New England Patriots last March. He then went on to rank second on the team in sacks with 11 and ninth in tackles with 49.

Cardinals head coach Bruce Arians said the team would use its franchise tag on Jones if both sides failed to come to a long-term agreement. General manager Steve Keim had expressed optimism such a deal would be obtained, but it appears they fell short before the franchise tag deadline of March 1. They still have until July 15 in which to reach that long-term deal.