Two playoff teams from last season decided to accomplish a trade that sent defensive end Chandler Jones to the Arizona Cardinals from the New England Patriots, who in return received guard Jonathan Cooper and a second-round draft pick. 

The departure of Jones from the Patriots is a bit surprising, considering that he was a part of the Super Bowl XLIX-winning squad. He also had a great year last season, being selected to his first ever Pro Bowl. During the previous campaign, Jones played and started in 15 games, having 44 tackles, a career-best 12.5 sacks, four forced fumbles, an interception, and two pass deflections. 

The 26-year-old is entering the final year of his existing deal that will earn him $7.79 million for the 2016 season, before being an unrestricted free agent in 2017. 

In a series of tweets Tuesday, Jones expressed eagerness to be with the Cardinals, but also addressed the Patriots organization with gratitude. 

During Jones' first time speaking to the media as a Cardinal, he said, according to Arizona Sports, "I was very excited — I was overly excited, actually. I was at home with my mother and I got a phone call saying I was being traded. This is a phenomenal opportunity and I'm excited to be here."

It may raise questions why Jones seems happy leaving such a successful team like the Patriots, but the Cardinals are also starting to thrive, and in the past two seasons, they made it to the playoffs. Last season, the team were hailed National Football Conference (NFC) West champions with a 13-3 regular season record. The Cardinals outlasted the Green Bay Packers in overtime to make it past the Divisional Playoffs, but fell to the Carolina Panthers in the NFC Championship Game. 

Jones might be the piece that the Cardinals have been needing in the past to finally break through and reach the Super Bowl, a stage they last graced in the 2008 season.