4 free-agent moves from NFC West rivals that should terrify 49ers fans
By Peter Panacy
No. 3: Cardinals sign DT Justin Jones
The Arizona Cardinals are a bad team, and they'll likely have to overpay for free agents for the next couple of years before they end up turning into a playoff contender.
A three-year deal worth just over $30 million, according to Good Morning Football's Peter Schrager, is a bit of an overpayment for a mid-level interior lineman. But that's what Arizona is willing to offer for former Chicago Bears defensive tackle Justin Jones, who is coming off a career-best 4.5 sacks last season.
DT Justin Jones has agreed to terms with the Arizona Cardinals, per source.
— Peter Schrager (@PSchrags) March 11, 2024
3 years, $30.1M, $19.75M Guaranteed. @nflnetwork @NFLonFOX #frenzy #first
Jones, 27 years old, doesn't receive as much publicity as other top-end interior linemen may otherwise get, partially because of him playing on bad Bears defenses over the last two seasons and in relative obscurity with the Los Angeles Chargers before that.
That said, Jones is a notable force who'll play a pivotal role in helping reshape Arizona's defensive line under head coach Jonathan Gannon.
Considering San Francisco's biggest weakness is its offensive line, it wouldn't be shocking if Jones makes a key impact play or two when the 49ers face the Cardinals twice in 2024.