The Arizona Cardinals made a well thought out and prudent move by placing the non-exclusive franchise tender on free agent linebacker to be Chandler Jones. The move was made on Monday, keeping Jones in the desert at least through the 2017-18 season (unless another team coughs up two first round picks, which isn't happening). Many are asking why the Cardinals didn't just negotiate a long term extension with him (they still have until July 15th, for what it's worth). To me, the move they made makes perfect sense.
Sure, the Cardinals could save some cap space in 2017 by signing Jones long term, but the total cash doled out from the franchise tag is roughly about the same amount he would get in a long term deal on an annual basis.