The New England Patriots have traded Pro Bowl defensive end Chandler Jones to the Arizona Cardinals for guard Jonathan Cooper and a second-round draft pick, sources told ESPN's Adam Schefter and Dianna Russini.
Jones, 26, recorded a career-high 12.5 sacks this past season and should boost the pass rush for the Cardinals, who reached the NFC Championship Game despite ranking just 20th in the NFL with 36 sacks.
Jones was scheduled to earn $7.79 million as part of the fifth-year option on his rookie contract. He is one of several core defenders whose contracts were set to expire after the 2016 season -- a group including linebackers Dont'a Hightower and Jamie Collins, defensive end Jabaal Sheard and cornerback Malcolm Butler.
The Patriots also are without a first-round pick in this year's draft as a result of the NFL's Deflategate penalties, so acquiring an additional second-rounder -- albeit a pick later in the round -- helps partially offset that loss.
While the Patriots lose a top pass-rusher in Jones, they are still deep at the position with Sheard, Rob Ninkovich and 2015 draft picks Geneo Grissom (third round) and Trey Flowers (fourth round). The Patriots also hosted veteran defensive end Chris Long on a free-agent visit Monday.
A first-round draft selection in 2012, Jones has 36 sacks in 55 career games with the Patriots.
Cooper was a first-round pick in 2014 and figures to improve a Patriots offensive line that struggled to protect Tom Brady in this year's AFC Championship Game loss to the Denver Broncos.
ESPN Patriots reporter Mike Reiss contributed to this report.
Sources: Pats trade star DE Jones to Cardinals
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