Zay Jones’ four-visit week demonstrated that he commanded a lot of attention following his release from the Jaguars. According to NFL.com’s Ian Rapoport and Tom Pelissero, the Cardinals have reached an agreement to sign the veteran wide receiver.
Jones also spoke with the Titans, Cowboys, and Chiefs this week, setting up an intriguing mid-offseason battle for a guy who spent two seasons as a starter in Jacksonville. Jones will now join Marvin Harrison Jr. in Arizona.
Jones paid the Cardinals a second visit during his three-time zone trip. The Titans appeared to take themselves out of the running early by reaching an agreement with Tyler Boyd. Of the remaining three teams, the Cardinals appeared to have the most need. Although Harrison is expected to spearhead Arizona’s receiving corps in Kyler Murray’s sixth season, Jones will provide valuable experience to an equation with doubts around the No. 4 overall choice.
Several seasoned wide receivers have left Arizona in recent years. After the 2022 season, A.J. Green retired, and the Cardinals dismissed DeAndre Hopkins shortly thereafter. This offseason, the Cards released Marquise Brown (to the Chiefs) and traded slot target Rondale Moore to the Falcons. Following the departures of Brown and Moore, Michael Wilson and Greg Dortch emerged as the top Cards holdover receivers. The last two weeks have altered that outlook.]
The Jaguars released Jones immediately after their WR plan came to fruition on the first night of the draft. Brian Thomas Jr. was the fourth wide receiver selected this year, 19 choices after Harrison. The LSU product being slated for Jacksonville prompted the Jaguars to cut Jones’ $8 million-per-year contract. Jones, 29, will shortly start working for a fourth NFL franchise. The Bills selected Jones in the second round in 2017 but traded him to the Raiders during the 2019 season. During the 2022 offseason, the Jaguars signed both Jones and Christian Kirk.
Jones’ career with the Jaguars was marked by a promising beginning and a disappointing second half. The 6-foot-2 target defied some doubters by posting a career-high 823 receiving yards with five touchdowns in 2022, propelling the Jaguars to the playoffs. He became Trevor Lawrence’s leading postseason target, with 13 receptions for 157 yards and a touchdown. This includes a 39-yard touchdown in the Jaguars’ 27-point comeback victory against the Chargers and an 83-yarder in a tight divisional-round defeat to the Chiefs. Jones missed eight games last season due to PCL and femur ailments, totaling 321 yards.
Jones, who played outside wide in Jacksonville’s scheme, helped Calvin Ridley, who had three 100-yard receiving performances when the 200-pound starter was on the field. The East Carolina alum’s 2023 resume also featured a minor domestic assault charge in November. This puts Jones at risk of being suspended under the NFL’s personal conduct code. The Cardinals are apparently satisfied with Jones’ status to conclude this signing.
The Cardinals were determined to improve Murray’s receiving corps, so they turned off trade offers for the No. 4 spot. They’ll see if Jones can establish himself as a reliable supporting cast member to help Harrison launch his career.
