Chandler Jones gets reported $53 million guaranteed in new deal

TEMPE, Ariz. -- Outside linebacker Chandler Jones won't be getting any more questions about his future with the Arizona Cardinals.

Jones signed a five-year contract on Friday, with multiple reports saying it is worth $83 million with $53 million guaranteed. It is believed to be the largest sum of guaranteed money handed out during this year's free agency frenzy.

Jones' guaranteed money is the sixth-most for a defensive player in NFL history, according to ESPN Stats & Information, and it is the most among Cardinals players, unseating the $48 million Patrick Peterson received in 2014.

By comparison, the amount is the second-largest guarantee for a pass rusher, behind the $70 million given to the Denver Broncos' Von Miller last season. It is also $500,000 more than the guaranteed money given to the New York Giants' Olivier Vernon last season.

During a news conference Friday, Jones said the money wasn't as important as his teammates' respect.

"My biggest thing is just gaining the respect from the guys in the locker room," Jones said. "There'll always be rankings out there and stats out there saying the top three players and all this. My biggest thing is just earning the respect from those guys and jelling in with those guys because that's what's more important to me, honestly."

The Cardinals placed the franchise tag on Jones on Feb. 27, giving them until July 15 to strike a deal, but word leaked earlier this week that the Cardinals and Jones were closing in on a deal.

"I knew their intentions were to sign a long-term deal," Jones said.

Jones had 11.0 sacks last season, a year after he had a career-high 12.5 with New England in 2015.

He has the third-most sacks over the last two seasons with 23.5. The two players with more sacks than Jones are Oakland's Khalil Mack with 26.0 and Denver's Miller with 24.5.

Mack just finished the third year of his rookie deal, which will allow him to renegotiate with the Raiders. He's likely in line for one of the highest-paying contracts at the position.

From the day he was traded for last March, Jones has been asked often about his future with the Cardinals. After Friday, all those questions can be put to bed.

"Every interview that I've had since I've been here everyone's asked me, 'How long are you going to be here? Are you going to be a free agent? Are you going to test the market?'" Jones said Friday. "It's all over. Today's been a great day."