Patriots trade defensive end Chandler Jones to the Cardinals

The Patriots have traded defensive end Chandler Jones to the Arizona Cardinals for a second round pick and offensive guard Jonathan Cooper. Jones had 12.5 sacks last season for the Patriots.

Jones was the 21st overall pick in the 2012 draft by the Patriots, and has 36 sacks in 55 career NFL games. He also ran into some off the field issues during the Patriots bye week in early January, showing up to the Foxboro police station shirtless and begging for help. Jones was admitted to the hospital but released later that day and did play in the Patriots two playoff games.

Cooper was the seventh overall pick in the 2013 draft out of North Carolina but has started only 11 games in three seasons, mostly due to injuries, including a broken leg during his rookie season. He is signed for the 2016 season, and then has an $11 million option for 2017. He will need to impress the Patriots this season if he wants that option picked up.

Jones tweeted about the trade just minutes ago.

I want to thank the @Patriots, the Kraft family, and all of Pats Nation for making my time in New England so special pic.twitter.com/HMFout878i
— ♛Chandler Jones (@chanjones55) March 15, 2016