Perhaps his contract situation isn't what he wants, but Chandler Jones was indeed at State Farm Stadium for the opening of training camp Tuesday, and his coach even said he was "jovial" in his arrival.
"Y'all know his personality," coach Kliff Kingsbury said. "He's jovial and he looked in great shape. Really excited to have him back."
The outside linebacker tore his biceps in Week 5 last season, ending his season after just one sack. He posted 19 sacks in 2019 when he nearly won NFL Defensive Player of the Year.
The Cardinals had their conditioning test after checking in and taking physicals Tuesday, and Jones – who is seeking a contract extension with a year left on his deal and who reportedly had asked for a trade at some point this offseason – took part.
"We felt like missed (Jones) last year when he was injured," Kingsbury said. "We feel he brings such a presence in the locker room and on the field, that to get him back and get him rolling will be big for us."
As for Jones' contract situation, "it's part of the business, and we all understand that," Kingsbury added.
Also taking part in the run test was fellow linebacker Jordan Hicks, who also requested a trade after the Cardinals publicly declared first-round pick Zaven Collins their starting Mike linebacker after he was chosen in April.
"Jordan is going to come in and compete his tail off," Kingsbury said. "Looks tremendous, was a captain last year for us, one of the real leaders on the team, and great to have him back."
Neither Jones or Hicks were available for interviews.
Kingsbury said he, defensive coordinator Vance Joseph and linebackers coach Billy Davis have been in "constant communication" with Hicks during the offseason to make sure the situation was clear.
"He's a competitor and he's highly motivated," Kingsbury said.
Kingsbury added that the Cardinals decided to say publicly Collins would be the starter to "make sure that was the direction it was going to go."
"We drafted linebackers the first round the last two years (Collins and Isaiah Simmons) and we wanted to see what they could do, basically," Kingsbury added. "We have very high expectations for them athletically. We know there will be ups and downs."
