Who do the Arizona Cardinals extend next?

General manager Steve Keim is keeping the core of the Arizona Cardinals together but there’s still much work to be done

Steve Keim does it all for the Arizona Cardinals. He finds free agents who are perfect fits for the locker room, drafts all the right rookies, negotiates the contracts.

The 2016 Cardinals are one of the deepest teams in the NFL, a bona fide Super Bowl contender in every sense of the word.

But when looking ahead to the 2017 offseason, the thought was that the team better get their Lombardi trophy this season. A laundry list of free agents would be lining up with their hands out, all wanting compensation for their part in helping Arizona become the contending team they are today.

Within the last week much of that pressure has been alleviated. First came the news that safety Tyrann Mathieu got paid and got paid well. One of the biggest, if not the biggest, of Arizona’s 2017 free agents was taken care of.

Next was a two for one deal if you will, both of the signings announced on the same day. Quarterback Carson Palmer and wide receiver Larry Fitzgerald both given one-year extensions, Fitzgerald’s especially important since he was scheduled for unrestricted free agency at the end of the upcoming season.

By getting these contracts out of the way, Keim is off to a flying start. Some big names remain on that list though. Can he get anyone else extended before next offseason?

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The following players scheduled for free agency in 2017 are some of the most integral to the Cards’ success. It will be interesting to see how many of the group Keim can retain.

OLB Chandler Jones- Although Jones hasn’t played one down for the Cardinals yet, it’s safe to say he must be re-signed. There’s almost no chance the trade for him turns out to be a failure. Extending the Honey Badger this early means that the franchise tag can be used on Jones if a multi-year deal can’t be reached.

DE Calais Campbell- It’s almost unthinkable to picture Campbell in another team’s uniform, but it’s possible he’s not back. If rookie Robert Nkemdiche flashes star potential it’s possible the front office may feel they can move on from the veteran. Besides Nkemdiche, having youngsters around such as Rodney Gunter, Josh Mauro, Xavier Williams and Ed Stinson could soften the blow of losing Campbell.

WR Michael Floyd- Making sure Fitzgerald is back next season takes some of the pressure off of bringing Floyd back. The front office will certainly make an offer but they could put a cap on what they’re willing to spend. They could decide fellow 2017 free agent Jaron Brown can produce at a much cheaper price.

G Evan Mathis- Like Jones, Mathis has yet to play a down for Arizona. Unlike Jones, age and health will play a part in whether he’s back with the Cards or playing at all next season. He’s already stated he’d hang up the cleats if they win the Super Bowl this season.

S Tony Jefferson- Unless he has a huge year there’s a possibility this is T.J.’s last season in the desert. The team will also have a decision to make next offseason on another free agent safety, D.J. Swearinger. Rookie Marqui Christian is already making noise in training camp so his development could also play a role in whether Jefferson stays or goes.

ILB Kevin Minter- Like Jefferson, Minter may need to have a big season to stay past this season. The team brought in Donald Butler presumably to provide depth but it wouldn’t be shocking if he plays alot. One free agent worth keeping an eye on next offseason is Pittsburgh Steeler star Lawrence Timmons, a player Bruce Arians would know from his days in the Steel City.

So who’s next in line for a payday? Smart money would be on Jones. Not only is he young but he plays a position the Cards have searched high and low for. (Not to mention they gave up a second-round pick and Jonathan Cooper for him).

One thing is for sure, Keim certainly has his work cut out for him the next eight months or so. There’s no such thing as rest for a general manager in the NFL. Nobody said it would be easy.

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