The signs were pointing toward the Dallas Cowboys signing wide receiver Zay Jones. Instead, the veteran receiver is joining the Arizona Cardinals, per NFL Network.
Jones took a visit to the Kansas City Chiefs, as well, following his meeting in Dallas. Ultimately, Jones passed on both playoff teams to sign with the Cardinals.
“Free agent WR Zay Jones is signing with the AZCardinals, per me and @TomPelissero,” NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport reported in a May 10, 2024, message on X. “Another veteran option for Arizona, as Jones — who also visited the Titans, Chiefs and Cowboys — lands.”
Jones visited with the Cowboys on May 8, the same day Pelissero reported that the team was releasing wideout Martavis Bryant. Now, it appears the chain of events was a coincidence, despite speculation that the Cowboys could sign Jones. DallasCowboys.com wrote, “Zay Jones is in the building meeting with the Cowboys, and the question becomes who is being put on notice with the possible signing.”
Cowboys News: Dallas Misses Out on Zay Jones to the Cardinals
It’s unclear whether the Cowboys made an offer for Jones. They have spent only $16 million on 10 free agents this offseason, the least amount in the league, according to Over the Cap. Meanwhile, the Cardinals have spent $146 million on 16 players. According to Rapoport, Jones’ deal is for one year and up to $4.25 million.
“The deal negotiated by Zeke Sandhu of @KlutchSports ends a whirlwind free agency for Jones, who was released by the Jaguars after the Draft,” he tweeted.
Cowboys Rumors: Dallas Changed Their Free Agency Philosophy, Says Insider
Jones suddenly became available after being released by the Jacksonville Jaguars. Fort Worth Star-Telegram’s Clarence Hill Jr. noted there has been a shift in how Dallas handles free agent visits like Jones.
“There was a time when the Cowboys didn’t let a prospective free agent they wanted to sign get out of the building,” Hill Jr. said said in a May 8 message on X. “Still may happen but Zay Jones visiting the Chiefs is not a great sign. Maybe he wants to take all the visits and decide.
“What we know is the Cowboys, his daddy’s team, didn’t give him reason to cancel the KC trip. They never [were] going to make him offer he couldn’t refuse.”
We recently saw the Cowboys also miss out on former Pro Bowl linebacker Shaq Leonard. The defender signed with the Philadelphia Eagles last December after visiting Dallas following his release by the Indianapolis Colts.
The Dallas Cowboys Continue the Trend of an Underwhelming Offseason
It is unclear how much of an impact Jones would have made on the Cowboys offense. Given Jones’ price, it would have been a low-risk signing that added speed. Jones ran a 4.45-second 40 time during the 2017 NFL combine.
The Cowboys released Michael Gallup earlier this offseason and have not signed another veteran to replace the starter. Dallas is hoping Jalen Tolbert can step up in Gallup’s absence as the team’s third wideout.
“On news of Zay Jones signing with the Cardinals instead of Dallas, Cowboys head coach Mike McCarthy: ‘I like the receiver room… I feel like our young guys are definitely gonna make a jump,'”WFAA Dallas’ Mike Leslie explained in a May 10 message on X.
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Speedy Receiver Passes on Cowboys Despite Visit With Dallas