Report: Former Jaguars WR Zay Jones signing one-year deal with Cardinals

Veteran free agent wideout Zay Jones is signing a one-year deal with the Arizona Cardinals, Ian Rapoport of NFL Network reported Friday.

The Jacksonville Jaguars, whom Jones spent the last two seasons with, released him on April 30. Jones signed a three-year, $24 million deal with $14 million guaranteed with the Jaguars during the 2022 offseason. Jacksonville saved $4.49 million against its salary cap by releasing Jones.

Jones underwent free agent visits with the Dallas Cowboys, Kansas City Chiefs and Tennessee Titans before deciding to sign with the Cardinals. He became expendable in Jacksonville after the team overhauled its receiver corps this offseason. Jacksonville let Calvin Ridley walk in free agency and signed Gabe Davis. The team then selected Brian Thomas Jr. with the 23rd overall pick in the 2024 NFL Draft.

Jones, 29, missed seven games this past season with a knee injury. He tallied 34 receptions for 321 yards and two touchdowns. He had his best season to date in 2022, hauling in a career high 82 receptions for 823 yards and five scores. During Jacksonville’s 2022 postseason run, he added another 13 receptions for 157 yards and a score.

Cardinals add veteran weapon in Zay Jones

Jones should slot in just behind 2024 No. 4 overall draft pick Marvin Harrison Jr. on the Cardinals’ depth chart. Arizona also has Michael Wilson, quietly coming off a productive season as a rookie. The former Stanford star hauled in 38 receptions for 565 yards and three touchdowns, forming a solid bond with quarterback Kyler Murray late in the season.

Jones, the former East Carolina standout, was originally drafted by the Buffalo Bills in the second round of the 2017 NFL Draft. He spent two plus seasons in Buffalo before being traded to the Las Vegas Raiders. Through his first seven seasons in the league, Jones has accumulated 287 receptions, 3,028 yards and 18 touchdowns in 104 regular season games.

In March, Jones had misdemeanor domestic battery charges against him dropped in Duval County.