The Cardinals signed cornerback Mike Jenkins this week and they’re bringing cornerback Chris Culliver in for a visit next week, but the front office’s focus isn’t only on bringing new players into the mix.
The team is also thinking about contract extensions for current members of the team. Safety Tyrann Mathieu and defensive lineman Calais Campbell are both heading into the final years of their deals and a new contract for Mathieu, in particular, has been a frequent talking point this offseason.
Cardinals General Manager Steve Keim said Tuesday that “there are always points in a negotiation when it’s more pressing than not” while providing an update of sorts on where things stand on the extension front.
“Hopeful, but people ask all the time whether I think we’re close or we’re not,” Keim said, via the team’s website. “I don’t think it’s fair for us or the player to make a comment because, really, I don’t know what close is anymore. We’ll just continue to stay aggressive, though. That’s the one thing I’ve said earlier: Whether it’s signing players, whether it’s readjusting guys who need to be signed for extensions, we’ll continue to stay aggressive and try to keep our foot on the gas pedal.”
Mathieu is coming off a torn ACL and Campbell turns 30 just before the start of the regular season, but neither fact appears to be stopping the Cardinals from wanting them on hand for future seasons. While that doesn’t mean deals will get done, it does lessen the chances that either player will be hitting free agency next year.
