• Arizona Cardinals introduce safety Antoine Bethea

    Arizona Cardinals introduce safety Antoine Bethea

  • NFL free agency and how it affects the Arizona Cardinals

    NFL free agency and how it affects the Arizona Cardinals

  • Reports: Texans trade QB Brock Osweiler to Browns with second-round pick

    Reports: Texans trade QB Brock Osweiler to Browns with second-round pick

  • Tony Romo says goodbye to Cowboys fans

    Tony Romo says goodbye to Cowboys fans

  • Report: Kirk Cousins asked Dan Snyder to trade him

    Report: Kirk Cousins asked Dan Snyder to trade him

  • Shot Clock: Key issues for Cardinals in NFL free agency

    Shot Clock: Key issues for Cardinals in NFL free agency

  • NFL Scouting Combine: Quarterbacks show off their skills

    NFL Scouting Combine: Quarterbacks show off their skills

  • Deshaun Watson says it'd be awesome to learn from a veteran NFL quarterback

    Deshaun Watson says it’d be awesome to learn from a veteran NFL quarterback

  • Patrick Mahomes: I'm a competitor and I want to play

    Patrick Mahomes: I’m a competitor and I want to play

  • NFL Scouting Combine: Teams looking for quarterbacks

    NFL Scouting Combine: Teams looking for quarterbacks

  • John Ross runs fastest 40-yard dash ever at NFL Combine

    John Ross runs fastest 40-yard dash ever at NFL Combine

  • Washington Huskies receiver John Ross on his versatility

    Washington Huskies receiver John Ross on his versatility

  • NFL scouting combine: 49ers high on Kizer

    NFL scouting combine: 49ers high on Kizer

  • Shot Clock: NBA MVP debate, Cardinals DBs

    Shot Clock: NBA MVP debate, Cardinals DBs

  • Cardinals GM Steve Keim on combine process, free agency

    Cardinals GM Steve Keim on combine process, free agency

  • Arians on finding quarterback of the future

    Arians on finding quarterback of the future

  • Shot Clock: Tough free agency decisions looming for Cardinals

    Shot Clock: Tough free agency decisions looming for Cardinals

  • NFL mock draft: How will top 5 picks shake out?

    NFL mock draft: How will top 5 picks shake out?

  • Michael Floyd's message for his critics

    Michael Floyd’s message for his critics

  • Arizona Cardinals Larry Fitzgerald skates for the first time with Shane Doan

    Arizona Cardinals Larry Fitzgerald skates for the first time with Shane Doan

  • Kurt Warner inducted to Pro Football Hall of Fame

    Kurt Warner inducted to Pro Football Hall of Fame

  • Falcons and Patriots advance to Super Bowl LI

    Falcons and Patriots advance to Super Bowl LI

  • On the drawing board: Cardinals lineman Mike Iupati

    On the drawing board: Cardinals lineman Mike Iupati

  • On the drawing board: Tony Jefferson of the Arizona Cardinals

    On the drawing board: Tony Jefferson of the Arizona Cardinals

  • On the drawing board: Cardinals linebacker Kevin Minter

    On the drawing board: Cardinals linebacker Kevin Minter

  • Cardinals players clear out lockers, reflect on season

    Cardinals players clear out lockers, reflect on season

  • Cardinals looking to play several younger backups

    Cardinals looking to play several younger backups

  • Top underclassmen entering the NFL draft early

    Top underclassmen entering the NFL draft early

  • Time-lapse: On the field during pre-game festivities

    Time-lapse: On the field during pre-game festivities

  • Grass field rolls in at University of Phoenix Stadium

    Grass field rolls in at University of Phoenix Stadium

UPDATE: 
Cardinals outside linebacker Chandler Jones is expected to sign his new five-year contract on Friday and will meet with reporters at 11 a.m., the Cardinals announced.

The team didn’t reveal financial terms, but an NFL source said it’s worth $82.5 million if Jones plays all five years under the deal. It includes $53 million in guarantees. Jones’ cap number in 2017 will be about $10 million, according to the source.

RELATED: First day of free agency brings roster makeover for Cardinals

The team is expected to make other announcements today, likely the signings of kicker Phil Dawson and inside linebacker Karlos Dansby. Those players agreed to terms on Thursday and will sign soon, pending physicals.

ORIGINAL STORY: On the eve of the start of free agency, the Cardinals and Jones’ agent were “finalizing” the contract, according to an NFL Network and NFL.com report.

Jones would be the second returning player to agree to terms in the past two days. Tight end Jermaine Gresham agreed to a four-year deal on Tuesday.

Financial terms of Jones’ contract were not available, but it figures to be in the neighborhood of what Olivier Vernon’s deal with the Giants a year ago. Vernon’s contract is worth $85 million, about half of which is fully guaranteed.

The Cardinals traded a second-round draft pick in 2016 and guard Jonathan Cooper for Jones last March, and Jones finished the season with 11 sacks.

They placed the franchise tag on Jones last week, which would have restricted his options when free agency starts at 2 p.m. on Thursday.

MORE: Complete NFL free agency coverage

The Cardinals can’t use the franchise tag on another player.

Under that tag, Jones would have counted $14.6 million under the salary cap. The new contract should lower that amount and give the Cardinals additional space.

They entered the week about $17 million under the salary cap.

The Cardinals had searched for years to add a young pass rusher and found themselves with two last year: Jones, 27, and Markus Golden, who turns 26 next week.

Golden, in his second season, led the team with 12.5 sacks. He is under contract for two more seasons, so the Cardinals have a formidable pass-rush combination in place.

The Cardinals’ priority in free agency was to re-sign some of their key players, including Gresham and Jones. Defensive lineman Calais Campbell and safety Tony Jefferson are already reportedly moving on to the Jaguars and Ravens, respectively.

The Cardinals enter free agency with a handful of needs. They could use a cornerback to compete for a starting job opposite Patrick Peterson. They will need another safety should D.J. Swearinger, also an unrestricted free agent, sign with another team.

FREE CARDINALS APP: iPhone | Android

GET SOCIAL: Follow azcentral sports on Facebook | Twitter

There aren’t a lot of options in free agency, and the Cardinals would prefer to re-sign Swearinger and cornerback Marcus Cooper. Both, however, could receive enticing offers in free agency. The Jets reportedly are interested in Cooper and Jefferson.

The Cardinals also will be looking to add a receiver, preferably one with size who won’t break the bank.

There aren’t a lot of available receivers who fit that mold. Pierre Garcon of Washington reportedly is going to sign with the 49ers. Brandon Marshall, with the Jets a year ago, has agreed to a deal with the Giants. And the Cardinals aren’t going to pay what it takes to sign Alshon Jeffery, formerly with the Bears.

The Cardinals cut Michael Floyd last December after he was arrested for driving under the influence. John Brown struggled last season as he dealt with symptoms resulting from having sickle-cell trait.

Receiver Jaron Brown was starting to produce when he suffered a torn ACL on Oct. 23 against Seattle, but the Cardinals are hopeful he will be ready by the start of training camp in July.

Autoplay

Show Thumbnails

Show Captions