Dec 29, 2013; Phoenix, AZ, USA; San Francisco 49ers wide receiver Michael Crabtree (15) makes a catch as Arizona Cardinals cornerback Patrick Peterson (21) defends during the first half at University of Phoenix Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Matt Kartozian-USA TODAY Sports
As reported around the league and by Arizona Republic beat reporter for the Arizona Cardinals Kent Somers, the Cards are looking to exercise their option year on cornerback Patrick Peterson. The move would essentially buy time for the Cards to hammer out a long-term deal and also pay Paterson handsomely in the mean time.
Unfortunately, the option can also be declined by Peterson himself. Peterson has not been public at all about his contract situation since the 2013 season ended, so it is unknown which way he is leaning if the situation ended up this way. The option must be picked up by the Cardinals by May 3rd. I would probably expect something to happen sooner rather than later though as teams approach the draft at the beginning of May.
It will be interesting to see if the Cards do intend to not only pick up the option, which would mean Peterson would be paid the average salary of the top 10 cornerbacks in the NFL but also then hammer out an extended deal. The Cards will also have Larry Fitzgerald to deal with as well at some point. Fitz already deferred salary until 2015 so that could hamper things a bit. Could the Cards be able to give both new deals? Some doubt it. We will just have to wait and see.