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Evan Mathis joins Arizona Cardinals on 1-year deal

The 11-year veteran replaces Jonathan Cooper.

Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports

The Arizona Cardinals did not waste time replacing the recently traded Jonathan Cooper. After sending Cooper and a second round pick to the New England Patriots in exchange for pass rusher Chandler Jones, they added veteran guard Evan Mathis to take over for Cooper.

Mathis agrees to a one-year deal reportedly worth just over $6 million. ($6,000,069...he has worn No. 69).

Mathis (6-5, 301) is an 11-year NFL veteran who started 12 of 16 regular season games and all three postseason contests at left guard last season for the Super Bowl champion Denver Broncos. A two-time Pro Bowl selection (2013-14), Mathis entered the league with Carolina as a third-round selection (79th overall) in the 2005 NFL Draft out of Alabama.

The 34-year old Mathis has played in 130 career games (90 starts) and five postseason contests over the past 11 seasons with Carolina (2005-07), Miami (2008), Cincinnati (2008-10), Philadelphia (2011-14) and Denver (2015). He started all 56 games in his four seasons in Philadelphia, earning two Pro Bowl selections and All-Pro first-team honors in 2013. After being released by Philadelphia last year, he signed with the Broncos on August 25.

He will play right guard for Arizona. He has played primarily left guard his entire career.

It is yet another one-year contract to a veteran for general manager Steve Keim, who continues to load up for 2016, yet allowing flexibility after this coming season.