The NFL Free Agency period is far from over. The New England Patriots and Arizona Cardinals have agreed on a pretty significant trade, according to a new report. ESPN's Adam Schefter and Dianna Russini are reporting that the Patriots have acquired Cardinals guard Jonathan Cooper, who will enter his fourth NFL season next fall, in addition to a 2nd-round pick in exchange for defensive end Chandler Jones.
Videos by FanBuzz
Cards-Pats blockbuster from @diannaESPN and me: Cards trade G Jonathan Cooper + 2nd-rd pick to NE for DE Chandler Jones, per sources.
— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) March 15, 2016
Jones, who was entering the final year of his rookie contract, led New England with 12.5 sacks last season. Giving up Jones may sound like a huge sacrifice at first, but as the NFL Network's Albert Breer points out between Jamie Collins, Dont'a Hightower and Malcolm Butler in addition to Jones on defense to take care of, there had to be some leeway there.
With the trade, the Patriots now have over $17.6 million in salary cap space, per NESN. Jones, in addition to his 12.5 sacks, had four forced fumbles in 2015.
