Cards, OLB Jones reportedly ‘finalizing’ 5-year deal

On the eve of the start of free agency, the Cardinals and the agent for outside linebacker Chandler Jones were “finalizing” a five-year contract, according to an NFL Network and NFL.com report.

Jones would be the second returning player to agree to terms in the past two days. Tight end Jermaine Gresham agreed to a four-year deal on Tuesday.

Financial terms of Jones’ contract were not available, but it figures to be in the neighborhood of what Olivier Vernon’s deal with the Giants a year ago. Vernon’s contract is worth $85 million, about half of which is fully guaranteed.

The Cardinals traded a second-round draft pick in 2016 and guard Jonathan Cooper for Jones last March, and Jones finished the season with 11 sacks.

They placed the franchise tag on Jones last week, which would have restricted his options when free agency

starts at 2 p.m. on Thursday.

The Cardinals can’t use the franchise tag on another player.

Under that tag, Jones would have counted $14.6 million under the salary cap. The new contract should lower that amount and give the Cardinals additional space.

They entered the week about $17 million under the salary cap.

The Cardinals had searched for years to add a young pass rusher and found themselves with two last year: Jones, 27, and Markus Golden, who turns 26 next week.

Golden, in his second season, led the team with 12.5 sacks. He is under contract for two more seasons.

The Cardinals’ priority in free agency was to resign some of their key players, including Gresham and Jones. Defensive lineman Calais Campbell and safety Tony Jefferson are already reportedly moving on to the Jaguars and Ravens, respectively, according to ESPN’s Adam Schefter and Dianna Russini.

The Cardinals enter free agency with a handful of needs. They could use a cornerback to compete for a starting job opposite Patrick Peterson. They will need another safety should D.J. Swearinger, also an unrestricted free agent, sign with another team.

There aren’t a lot of options in free agency, and the Cardinals would prefer to re-sign Swearinger and cornerback Marcus Cooper. Both, however, could receive enticing offers in free agency. The Jets reportedly are interested in Cooper and Jefferson.

The Cardinals also will be looking to add a receiver, preferably one with size who won’t break the bank.

There aren’t a lot of available receivers who fit that mold. Pierre Garcon of Washington reportedly is going to sign with the 49ers. Brandon Marshall, with the Jets a year ago, has agreed to a deal with the Giants. And the Cardinals aren’t going to pay what it takes to sign Alshon Jeffery, formerly with the Bears.

The Cardinals cut Michael Floyd last December after he was arrested for driving under the influence.