Arizona Cardinals Reward Daryl Washington With New Six-Year Deal

Aug. 30, 2012; Glendale, AZ, USA; Arizona Cardinals linebacker Daryl Washington (58) tackles Denver Broncos running back Knowshon Moreno (27) during the first half at University of Phoenix Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Matt Kartozian-US PRESSWIRE

The Arizona Cardinals know a good thing when they got it.  Today, they made sure one of those good things would stick around at least through 2017.  Linebacker Daryl Washington, in his third season from Texas Christian, signed a new six-year deal that will ensure stability in the linebacker core for years to come.  An excellent move as far as I’m concerned.

To think I wanted the Cards to go after his college teammate Jerry Hughes instead is an amazing thought now considering the comparison of stats.  Hughes has made just 21 tackles and one sack in his first two seasons.  Washington led the Cards with 111 tackles, 16 for a loss and five sacks just last season alone. This is why I’m not a general manager.  The Cards knew what they were doing then and they know what they are doing now.

The Cards should be commended for getting the deal completed before the season began.  Although most of us out here were not aware there were any negotiations for a new deal, it could have become a distraction for Washington.  I say could have been but we’ll never know now because he can go to sleep tonight, three days before the start of his third regular season, knowing he has job security and the financial security to take care of himself and his family for years to come.