Arizona Cardinals

Cardinals sign 11-year veteran Mathis to fill guard vacancy

Published Mar. 16, 2016 5:44 p.m. ET

foxsports

TEMPE, Ariz. -- The Arizona Cardinals have come to terms on a one-year contract with free agent offensive guard Evan Mathis, an 11-year veteran who started last season for the Super Bowl champion Denver Broncos.

The move came one day after the Cardinals shipped guard Jonathan Cooper to the New England Patriots in exchange for defensive end Chandler Jones.

Mathis, 6-feet-5 and 301 pounds, began his career with Carolina (2005-07) and later played for Miami (2008), Cincinnati (2008-10), Philadelphia (2011-14) and Denver (2015). He earned two Pro Bowl appearances during his four seasons with the Eagles and was named a first-team all-pro in 2013.

Mathis, 34, came away with a Super Bowl ring from his lone season with the Broncos. After being released by the Philadelphia Eagles last offseason, Mathis signed a one-year, $1.5 million deal with the Broncos that included a $1 million signing bonus and a $421,875 million roster bonus.

He started 12 regular season games and all three of Denver's postseason games at left guard.

The Cardinals return Mike Iupati at left guard, but Mathis' signing helps fill a void left by Tuesday's trade of Cooper to New England. Cooper started nine games at right guard last season, and the other nine were started by unrestricted free agent Ted Larsen.