HEADLINES

Arizona Cardinals News & Rumors

RFA/ERFA Tender Decisions: 3/12/18

March 12th, 2018 at 1:52pm CST by Sam Robinson

Here are today’s restricted free agent and exclusive-rights free agent tender decisions, with the list being updated throughout the day.

RFAs

Tendered at second-round level:

Tendered at original-round level:

Non-Tendered:

ERFAs

Tendered:

Non-Tendered:

Cardinals To Release Adrian Peterson

March 12th, 2018 at 8:21am CST by Zachary Links

The Cardinals expected to release running back Adrian Peterson today, a source tells Adam Schefter of ESPN.com (on Twitter). By cutting Peterson now, the Cardinals will avoid paying a $750K bonus to the veteran, which was due on the third day of league year, Friday. 

We first heard back in February that the Cardinals were planning to release Peterson. However, Schefter hears that Peterson still could circle back to Arizona later, perhaps at a rate cheaper than his originally scheduled $2.881MM cap charge.

The Patriots, Seahawks, and Giants all expressed interest in Peterson before he signed with the Saints last year, so those are all teams to keep in mind as Peterson approaches free agency. Additionally, the Ravens discussed dealing for Peterson before the Saints traded him to Arizona last year.

Peterson, who turns 33 on March 21, managed 3.5 yards per carry on 129 attempts and scored two touchdowns for the Cardinals. He had his moments – like when he ran for 134 yards and two touchdowns in his Arizona debut – but he was among the least effective backs in the league overall. Football Outsiders ranked Peterson 46th among 47 tailbacks in both DYAR and DVOA, metrics which measure overall and per-play value.

Cardinals To Target Andrew Norwell

March 11th, 2018 at 8:22pm CST by Sam Robinson

The Cardinals are planning to make a pitch for Kirk Cousins once the tampering window opens Monday, but they are not believed to be the favorite. However, not landing a player who is expected to sign the richest contract in NFL history would open the door for Arizona’s cap space to be used elsewhere.

And Andrew Norwell has come up. The Cardinals plan to pursue the UFA guard prize, Mike Jurecki of Fox 59 tweets.

While Arizona doesn’t reside on the high end of the cap-space spectrum, the most associated with Norwell during this free agency period — the Giants — have about the same amount. The Cards have Mike Iupati and Evan Boehm under contract. Alex Boone is back in free agency.

Like the Giants, the Cardinals have an obvious connection to Norwell. Each of Norwell’s four seasons in Charlotte came while new Cards HC Steve Wilks was on staff.

Arizona struggled badly on the ground last season, ranking 30th in rushing yards per game and last in the league with 3.4 yards per carry. Norwell is viewed as the top offensive lineman in this year’s class.

Kirk Cousins No Longer Planning Visits?

March 11th, 2018 at 3:36pm CST by Sam Robinson

With the legal tampering period less than 24 hours away, Kirk Cousins’ destination is the centerpiece storyline of free agency. And it’s possible this process could wrap up quickly.

Once expected to take at least one visit, Cousins may now use the traditional route for high-value free agents and agree to a deal without trekking to facilities. Diana Russini of ESPN.com reports (on Twitter) the 29-year-old quarterback is not planning to make any visits.

Russini adds that it may be down to a three-team race. The Vikings, Jets and Cardinals are “lobbying hard” and putting together recruiting pitches and video presentations for Cousins. Russini does not mention the Broncos here. Denver currently holds more cap space than Arizona but lags behind Minnesota and New York, and it’s possible John Elway could opt for a cheaper option despite the franchise being heavily linked to Cousins throughout the offseason.

These four teams were mentioned as the finalists for Cousins last weekend, and earlier this week, it was reported Cousins had not ruled out anyone just yet. The thinning-out process may be commencing in this high-stakes race.

Cardinals Exercise Andy Lee’s Option

March 10th, 2018 at 10:55am CST by Ben Levine

Punter Andy Lee will remain with the Cardinals for another season. NFL.com’s Ian Rapoport reports (via Twitter) that Arizona has exercised the veteran’s option for 2018. Previous reports indicated that the punter will earn a $1MM base salary for next season.

Lee joined the Cardinals last September after being released by the Panthers. The 35-year-old made a name for himself in San Francisco, where he earned three Pro Bowl births during his 11-year tenure with the organization. He bounced between the Browns and Panthers before landing in Arizona for the 2017 season. After being limited to only nine games in 2016, Lee appeared in all 16 games last year, averaging 47.3 yards per punt. He also landed 29 punts inside the 20, his best total since 2012.

Earlier this week, the Cardinals re-signed long snapper Aaron Brewer, meaning they’ll be retaining their their special teams core (which includes kicker Phil Dawson) in 2018.

Minor NFL Transactions: 3/9/18

March 9th, 2018 at 8:40pm CST by Micah Powell

Here are today’s minor moves:

Arizona Cardinals

Carolina Panthers

Denver Broncos

Los Angeles Rams

 

Cards Ask Tyrann Mathieu To Take Pay Cut

March 8th, 2018 at 6:07pm CST by Sam Robinson

Tyrann Mathieu has not lived up to the five-year, $62.5MM extension he signed with the Cardinals. And the team has now asked the former All-Pro to renegotiate his deal.

During a visit to NFL Network headquarters, Mathieu and his agent confirmed (via Gregg Rosenthal of NFL.com, on Twitter) he’s been asked to take a pay cut. This comes after the Cardinals explored trading Mathieu, Dan Graziano of ESPN.com tweets.

Ian Rapoport of NFL.com notes (via Twitter) this request was likely to mean a significant pay reduction based on what his role on Arizona’s new defense, which will be run by Al Holcomb. Mathieu played each of his five seasons in James Bettcher‘s scheme.

Mathieu said he would be open to a restructure, but an outright pay cut isn’t sitting well with him, per Rosenthal (on Twitter).

Mathieu is slated to count $14.1MM on the Cardinals’ 2018 payroll. The Cards were previously undecided on picking up the $5MM roster bonus due on March 14, and now it looks like they will do if the sixth-year defender accepts a pay decrease. He’s still owed $18.75MM in guarantees. The Cardinals cutting Mathieu would tag them with a $9.3MM dead-money hit.

An All-Pro safety and dynamic slot defender during the 2015 season, Mathieu has struggled to stay healthy during his career. He played in 10 games during the 2016 season, going down after an ACL tear ended his ’15 campaign. Mathieu also suffered a severe knee injury as a rookie. He bounced back to play 16 games last season, but he wasn’t in his best form. Categorizing the Honey Badger as a cornerback, Pro Football Focus slotted him as the No. 61 corner in 2017 in 1,055 snaps.

There’s a reasonable chance Mathieu balks here and becomes a free agent. Set to turn 26 in May, the LSU product would be in line to become a sought-after commodity on the open market and be one of the better members of a deep defensive back contingent set to be available.

Cardinals Re-Sign LS Aaron Brewer

March 7th, 2018 at 1:21pm CST by Zachary Links

Free agency is one week away, but Aaron Brewer won’t be among those exploring the open market. The Cardinals announced a new four-year deal for the long snapper on Wednesday.

Brewer’s contract is worth $4.15MM in total, and contains $620K guaranteed, according to Tom Pelissero of NFL.com (Twitter link). His new $1.038MM annual salary will now rank 13th among NFL long snappers, and represents a steep pay raise from his previous average of $768K.

“I met my fiancée here,” Brewer said of Arizona in a press release. “I’m from San Diego and it’s really close. They gave me an opportunity this last time. I’m happy to be here.”

The Cardinals will bring back their special teams core in 2018 with kicker Phil Dawson, punter Andy Lee and Brewer all under contract. They’ll still have to address 21 other free agents (18 of which are unrestricted), including cornerback Justin Bethel, wide receivers John Brown and Jaron Brown, and edge rusher Kareem Martin.

Antonio Cromartie Retires From NFL

March 5th, 2018 at 10:13am CST by Zachary Links

Antonio Cromartie is calling it a career. The longtime NFL cornerback took to Instagram on Monday morning to announce his retirement from professional football. 

“Today is the day I knew I would eventually have to face, but one I never wanted to accept,” Cromartie wrote. “After 27 years of playing football, today I say farewell. God blessed me with the opportunity to play in the NFL for 11 years, and after much consideration and prayer, I’d like to officially announce my retirement.”

Cromartie entered the league as a first-round pick of the Chargers in 2006. He put himself on the map in the following season when he tallied a league-high ten interceptions en route to his first Pro Bowl and First-Team All-Pro selections. Later, he went on to spent four seasons with the Jets (2010-2013) and one with the Cardinals (2014) before returning to Gang Green (2015) and finishing out with the Colts (2016).

We haven’t heard Cromartie’s name pop up since his four-game stint in Indianapolis came to a close in October 2016, but the cornerback was apparently hoping to resurrect his career up until today. As his 34th birthday approaches in April, Cromartie will now transition to the next phase of his life.

We here at PFR wish Cromartie, an 11-year NFL veteran, the best in retirement.

Cardinals Could Have Interest In Patrick Robinson

March 4th, 2018 at 4:58pm CST by Dallas Robinson
  • If the Raiders miss out on Johnson, they could turn their attention to Eagles free agent CB Patrick Robinson, per Pauline. Robinson has played outside corner in the past, but posted arguably the best season of his career as Philadelphia’s slot cornerback in 2017. T.J. Carrie, who saw the majority of the slot action for the Raiders last year, is an unrestricted free agent, so the 31-year-old Robinson would make for a ready-made replacement. The Eagles, notably, have interest in re-signing Robinson, while Pauline reports the Cardinals could also make a bid.
Load More Posts