Game of 'tag' begins: Cardinals franchise Chandler Jones, becoming first team this year to use tag

In the second bit on non-surprising news of this Monday, the Arizona Cardinals officially placed the franchise tag on outside linebacker Chandler Jones.

The Cardinals are the first team to use the tag this year; the deadline to designate a franchise player is Wednesday.

Arizona president Michael Bidwill had said at least twice in recent weeks that the team would tag Jones, whom it acquired via trade with the New England Patriots last season. The Patriots drafted the 6-foot-5 pass rusher 21st overall out of Syracuse in 2012, and he totaled 36 sacks in 55 games.

With the Cardinals last season, Jones moved from defensive end to outside linebacker but remained productive: he recorded 11 sacks, 49 total tackles, four forced fumbles, two fumble recoveries and three pass break-ups.

“He’s a great pass rusher,” Bidwill said on Arizona Sports earlier this month. “But if we can’t agree to terms that work for us, we’re just going to franchise him. His people know that.”

The franchise tag estimate for linebacker this year is at least $14.6 million; unfortunately for Jones, the move from defensive end to ‘backer cost him from a financial standpoint: the tag amount for D-end is projected to be at least $17 million.