The Arizona Cardinals will report to training camp on July 22, 2025, as they gear up for the upcoming NFL season. Among the players to watch is wide receiver Zay Jones, who is entering his ninth year in the league and second with the Cardinals. As the team finalizes its roster and assesses player roles, Jones’s performance will be under scrutiny after a challenging previous season.
Jones began his NFL career in 2017 when he was selected in the second round of the NFL Draft by the Buffalo Bills. He spent two and a half seasons with the Bills before being traded to the Oakland Raiders in 2019. After a brief stint in Oakland, he joined the Jacksonville Jaguars, where he had a standout performance in 2022, recording 82 receptions for 823 yards and five touchdowns.
However, the 2023 season was less fruitful for Jones. He signed with the Cardinals last offseason but faced a five-game suspension due to an off-field incident from the previous year. Upon his return, he participated in 11 games, managing only eight receptions for 84 yards. Despite increased playing time as the team’s No. 3 receiver later in the season, he received just 11 targets.
In an effort to retain Jones’s talents, the Cardinals re-signed him to a one-year contract worth $2.4 million. This deal includes a signing bonus of $650,000, with $650,000 of his $1.36 million salary guaranteed. Additionally, he has the opportunity to earn up to $340,000 in per-game roster bonuses. His cap hit for the upcoming season is projected at $2.28 million, based on his participation in 11 games. Any bonuses earned beyond this amount will be applied to the 2026 salary cap.
As training camp approaches, fans and analysts are left wondering about Jones’s future with the team. His modest production last season raises questions about his roster spot. Nonetheless, his increasing playing time and the positive remarks from head coach Jonathan Gannon suggest that the Cardinals see potential in his abilities. The guarantees in his contract further indicate that he is favored to secure a position on the final roster, though nothing is guaranteed.
With the start of training camp on the horizon, all eyes will be on Zay Jones as he attempts to reclaim his status as a key contributor for the Arizona Cardinals. Fans can stay updated on the latest news and insights regarding the team by tuning into the Rise Up, See Red podcast, hosted by Jess Root and others.
