Arizona Cardinals Immediate Future Looks Bright

1. Tyrann Mathieu – CB/FS
Estimated Payday: 5 Year, $55.774M
Where did I compare: Earl Thomas (5 Year, $44.725M)/Darrelle Revis (5 Year, $70M)
When experts looked at Tyrann Mathieu, many saw the potential for him to get paid in the upper echelon of corners and safeties. I tried my hardest to account for the fact that the Honey Badger played 65% of his snaps (according to PFF) as a corner, but if Tyrann wants to be sympathetic to the cap, he might want to consider being payed more like a safety. He would still be payed better then a lot of corners, and he would of course be the best payed safety in the league. Deservedly so.
Do the Cardinals bring him back: Yes, or they franchise Tyrann

2. Calais Campbell – DE/DT
Estimated Payday: 6 Year, $62.500M
Where did I compare: Cameron Heyward (6 Year, $59.2M)
Calais Campbell is going to get paid, trust me, it just depends on how much, so I did a little bit of study to see how the Arizona Cardinals use him. The best explanation of how Campbell should be paid was Cameron Heyward, a run stuffing defensive lineman who has surefire power. The two use a lot of their power to get to the quarterback, so I would assume Calais get’s paid like Heyward.
Do the Cardinals bring him back: Yes

3. Larry Fitzgerald – WR
Estimated Payday: 3 Year, $16.442M
Where did I compare: Cole Beasley (4 Year, $13.6M)
To stay competitive, Larry Fitzgerald does take a considerable pay-cut to stay with the Cardinals, and it makes complete sense. Larry is 33 this year, he isn’t going to do this forever, but why not him and Carson retire together? I think the next deal for Larry is completely cap friendly, averaging $5.400M, and he still gets the $8M-$9M for his previous restructure. He will live easily for the rest of his life. Slot receivers don’t get paid handsomsly, but if it’s Fitz, why not?
Do the Cardinals bring him back: Yes

4. Chandler Jones – OLB/DE
Estimate Payday: 6 Year, $93M
Where did I compare: Olivier Vernon (5 Year, $85M)/Justin Houston (6 Year, $101M)
Does Chandler Jones deserve his huge payday that is approaching? Definetely more then a lot of other players who have been payed. Chandler Jones is a big time fish for the Arizona Cardinals next year, and I don’t think the Cardinals will let him fly solo for free agency. Where does his salary come into play? The Cardinals could be paying Chandler a pretty nickel if they want him to stay, Justin Houston money. Now, don’t get me wrong, Von Miller will be the highest paid linebacker in the NFL, but Chandler will be a hair short from Justin Houston. Nice measuring stick.
Do the Cardinals bring him back: Yes

5. Michael Floyd – WR
Estimated Payday: 5 Year, $52M
Where did I compare: Demaryius Thomas (5 Year, $70M)/Marvin Jones (5 Year, $40M)
Michael Floyd is about to be paid like a number one receiver, and he did very well during the 2015 season to deserve such a credit. Problem is, he has no Pro Bowl appearances, so he will not be paid at the Demaryius Thomas level, but he will still make some big cash. I think this would be the contract that could eventually be managable, like Marvin Jones type of cash.
Do the Cardinals bring him back: No, but maybe

Remember Cardinals fans, these contracts aren’t the only ones they can worry about, so the Cardinals could eventually be moving on from as many as 3 or 4 of these contracts. Although, the Arizona Cardinals could eventually talk some of the free agents to stay together, just for the chance to win. We are in the middle of the 2016 offseason, but keep a watchful eye on the 2017 offseason.