Isaiah Avery "Zay" Jones (born March 30, 1995) is an American football wide receiver who plays for the Arizona Cardinals in the NFL. After getting drafted by the Buffalo Bills in the second round of the 2017 NFL draft, he went on to play two and a half seasons for them before getting traded to the Raiders. His best season in the Bills uniform came in 2018 when he accounted for 652 receiving yards. After three disappointing seasons, Jones rejuvenated his career in Las Vegas in 2021 when he accumulated 546 yards in the receiving game. That season's performance earned him a three-year contract from the Jacksonville Jaguars in 2022, and he went on to put up career-high numbers in his first season in the Sunshine State by catching 82 balls for 823 yards (both career highs). However, a disappointing sophomore campaign in Jacksonville got him released in 2024, after which Arizona picked him up.
He attended East Carolina University and achieved NCAA Division I records for career catches (399) and single-season receptions (158). Jones had an early impact at ECU as a freshman in 2013, starting eight of thirteen games. He finished second on the team with 62 catches, 604 yards, and five touchdowns. As a junior, he made 98 receptions for 1,099 yards and five touchdowns. Jones enjoyed a record-setting senior year in 2016, tallying 1746 yards on 158 receptions. He also broke his old ECU teammate Justin Hardy's NCAA career record of 387 receptions, finishing with 399. Jones was a finalist for the 2016 Biletnikoff Award, which is given annually to the nation's finest collegiate receiver (via East Carolina University Athletics).
Zay Jones Contract Breakdown
Zay Jones signed a one-year deal worth $2.4 million with the Arizona Cardinals on March 11, 2025, according to Spotrac.
| Contract | Signing Bonus | Average Salary | GTD at Sign | Total GTD |
| 1 yr(s) / $2,400,000 | $650,000 | $2,400,000 | $1,300,000 | $1,300,000 |
The details of the contract are provided below:
| Year | Base Salary | Signing Proration | Roster/GM Bonus | Cap Hit | Dead Cap | Yearly Cash |
| 2025 | $1,360,000 | $650,000 | $220,000 | $2,280,000 | $1,300,000 | $2,400,000 |
What are the terms of Zay Jones' contract?
Jones’ deal included a $650k signing bonus and guaranteed him $1.3 million at the time of signing (via Spotrac).
Zay Jones Salary
In 2025, Jones’ base salary will be $1.3 million. The contract amounts for 2025 to carry a cap hit of $2.2 million and a dead cap value of $1.3 million. As per the terms of Zay Jones’ contract, he has an average annual salary of $2.4 million (via Spotrac).
How much does Zay Jones make per minute?
If Zay Jones' contract worth $2.4 million over 1 year is broken down to a per-minute earning, then Jones makes almost $4.5 per minute.
How much of Zay Jones’ Contract is guaranteed?
Zay Jones’ deal guarantees him $1.3 million out of the $2.4 million mentioned in his contract (via Spotrac).
Zay Jones’ Career Earnings
Zay Jones has amassed $27.6 million in his career, as per Spotrac.
Zay Jones Contract History
| Year | Team | Contract | Signing Bonus | Average Salary | GTD At Sign | Total GTD |
| 2017 - 2020 | Buffalo Bills | 4 yr(s) / $6,779,831 | $3,070,786 | $1,694,958 | $3,843,960 | $3,843,960 |
| 2021 - 2021 | Las Vegas Raiders | 1 yr(s) / $2,500,000 | $1,500,000 | $2,500,000 | $2,500,000 | $2,500,000 |
| 2022 - 2024 | Jacksonville Jaguars | 3 yr(s) / $24,000,000 | $5,500,000 | $8,000,000 | $14,000,000 | $14,000,000 |
| 2024 - 2024 | Arizona Cardinals | 1 yr(s) / $2,250,000 | $500,000 | $2,250,000 | $1,150,000 | $1,150,000 |
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FAQ on Zay Jones
A. Zay Jones has a 1-year contract with the Arizona Cardinals.
A. Zay Jones began his career with the Bills and later played with the Raiders.
A. Zay Jones is American by nationality, as he was born in Dallas, Texas.
A. Zay Jones is 6' 2" inches tall.
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