Jon Gaines II

Current Contract

Contract Value Index (CVI)

Jon Gaines II drew a C+ on the Contract Value Index — a calibrated read on Arizona's cap allocation at guard. At $1.14M annually on a four-year rookie scale deal, Gaines II represents a modest financial commitment that aligns squarely with his backup interior lineman status, but the pairing of a D- performance grade with a D sentiment grade reveals a player who has failed to justify even modest expectations through his first three NFL seasons. The 2025 season saw him log 1 tackle across 17 games, a reflection of his limited snaps and depth-piece role rather than any significant on-field impact. At 27 years old in his third year, Gaines II sits at a critical inflection point where the trajectory from draft pick to fringe roster contributor has largely been set; his lack of a meaningful performance narrative—coupled with the Cardinals' recent additions along the offensive line—suggests Arizona views him as replaceable depth rather than a foundational piece. The absence of any positive media buzz or fan momentum, documented in his neutral-to-negative sentiment positioning, paints a picture of a player operating in complete invisibility, neither rising nor falling, simply occupying a roster slot while the organization pursues more impactful upgrades. Given the Cardinals' offseason activity and the quiet nature of Gaines II's profile entering what amounts to a rebuilt roster, the C+ CVI grade reflects a deal that is neither a steal nor a millstone—it is precisely what it appears to be: functional cap deployment on a player with demonstrated limitations and minimal upside.

Contracts in the Same Value Band

Other same-position deals the Contract Value Index also places in the C band — a quick read on where Jon's contract sits relative to comparable money.

Performance Analysis

Jon Gaines II grades a D- performance mark, with his below-average interior lineman play defining his third year in the league. A backup-caliber guard, Gaines II logged 1 tackle across 17 games in the 2025 season, a stat line that underscores his marginal defensive involvement and limited impact on the Cardinals' porous defensive line rotation—though as an offensive lineman, this limited production speaks more to his depth-piece status than to fundamental scheme fit or development. His core weakness remains straightforward: he has not delivered the anchor performance expected of even a solid-starter guard, and three years into his career since being drafted in the fourth round (122nd overall) in 2023, the trajectory suggests he has plateaued as functional reserve depth rather than trending toward a meaningful role. At 27 years old on a $1.1M rookie scale contract, Gaines II carries the financial profile of a depth option, and Arizona's recent offensive line additions—including OL Chase Bisontis in May—signal the front office is actively shopping for upgrades at his position rather than building around him. The Cardinals' 3-14 finish and ongoing rebuild mean Gaines II operates with minimal roster leverage or media oxygen; he is a functional piece in a larger organizational pivot, not a candidate for reclamation or elevated opportunity. Without a significant leap in on-field consistency or a change in circumstance, Gaines II will likely remain a low-visibility contributor operating at the margins of the depth chart through the 2026 season and beyond.

How Jon Compares at the Position

Jon Gaines II ranks 118th of 172 graded gs by performance. That slots Jon between Doug Nester (D+) just ahead and Lecitus Smith (F) just behind.

Current Sentiment

Jon Gaines II's public profile is about as quiet as it gets for an active NFL player, and a D sentiment grade reflects a narrative defined almost entirely by absence — no buzz, no criticism, no momentum in either direction. Three years into his career as a backup interior lineman on a Cardinals team that finished 3-14, Gaines II has generated zero meaningful headlines, with media framing positioning him squarely as functional depth rather than an ascending piece of the offensive line puzzle. That perception aligns with a performance grade of F, which tells you the on-field product hasn't given anyone a reason to look twice, and at 26 years old on a $1.1M rookie scale deal, the financial investment signals exactly what Arizona thinks of his ceiling. The Cardinals' recent offseason activity — including the signing of guard Ka'ena Decambra — only compounds the narrative, introducing direct competition at his position and further marginalizing whatever roster security Gaines II might have held. With the regular season still over four months away and Arizona coming off a brutal stretch, the conversation around this roster is focused on rebuilding the bigger picture, not on a backup lineman occupying the bottom of the depth chart. The bottom line: Gaines II has carved out a quiet NFL existence through competence rather than impact, but with new competition arriving and no performance narrative to anchor his standing, the perception surrounding him is drifting toward irrelevance rather than reclamation.