In 2022, Zay Jones left the Las Vegas Raiders to sign a lucrative contract with the Jacksonville Jaguars. The organization chose to dismiss him this offseason with a year remaining on his contract, but he has found a new home.
Jones will sign a contract with the Arizona Cardinals, according to an X post from NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport on May 10.
Free agent WR Zay Jones is signing with the #AZCardinals, per me and @TomPelissero. Another veteran option for Arizona, as Jones — who also visited the #Titans and #Cowboys — lands. pic.twitter.com/2CZS2Qb9uO
— Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) May 10, 2024
Jones expressed interest in the NFL during visits to the Dallas Cowboys and Tennessee Titans, but ultimately chose the Cardinals as his next team. The former second-round pick is coming off a difficult season in which he missed seven games due to injuries.
He had a successful three-season career with the Raiders, starting in 18 games. His first season with the Jaguars was quite productive, with 82 receptions and 823 receiving yards. Jones is only 29 years old and should have another several good seasons ahead of him.
The Cardinals have had a tough few seasons, but Kyler Murray is now healthy. The squad also selected Marvin Harrison Jr. in the draft. Jones is better suited as a No. 2 or No. 3 wide receiver, so he should fit in well in Arizona.
Las Vegas Raiders Start Rookie Minicamp
Now that the draft is finished, the Raiders are focused solely on the 2024 NFL season. There is still time for the entire squad to reunite, but for the time being, the rookies are in the spotlight.
The Raiders welcomed their rookies to minicamp on May 10.
Here’s some Brock Bowers content for your timeline.#Raiders | #RaiderNation pic.twitter.com/xYf1vz2TUt
— Levi Edwards (@theleviedwards) May 10, 2024
Fortunately, the Raiders have signed the majority of their rookies, so they are all attending minicamp. The focus will be on first-round pick Brock Bowers. The youthful tight end was one of the most promising playmakers in the draft.
Second-round pick. Jackson Powers-Johnson is another rookie who may start a number of games for the Raiders in 2024. The team will not gain much out of rookie minicamp, but it will be their first opportunity to see them on the practice field. The hard work begins when the Raiders begin their obligatory minicamp on June 11.
Antonio Pierce Talks QBs
The Raiders were unable to recruit a top quarterback prospect in the draft, so they chose to surround Aidan O’Connell and Gardner Minshew with a wealth of quality. The squad struggled at quarterback last season, and it remains unknown who will start in 20204.
Antonio Pierce, the head coach, had an opportunity to discuss his quarterbacks.
“What I see is guys getting out there early,” Pierce stated during his May 10 press conference. “Aidan is already taking the bull by the horns and leading the way, and Minshew is right with him. Two individuals who played against each other last year went neck and neck. But I’m quite excited to see what happens. I believe it will be a process. We are going to stick to the procedure.”
Pierce lauded O’Connell, the only quarterback from last year’s squad, for his performance.
“Aidan has a mental process that allows him to block out outside noise. “He doesn’t worry about it,” Pierce explained. “I’m sure he reads, as we all do, but when he comes to work, he’s focused, prepared, studies, and devotes the necessary time. We’ve had chats about how I’ve seen him mature in this short amount of time during the summer. I’m really excited to see Aidan during OTAs, minicamp, and training camp.”
