A.Q. Shipley: Should he stay or should he go?

A.Q. Shipley: Should he stay or should he go? (continued)

Why he should re-sign with the Cardinals:

After years of floating around the league, Shipley found a home with the Cardinals. He has a coach who believes in him, on a team that has all the pieces to be a playoff contender. Though his long term hold on the starting job might be tenuous – especially with Evan Boehm waiting in the wings – he will come in as the incumbent starting center, with a realistic opportunity to retain that position.

Why he should not re-sign with the Cardinals:

As a 30 year old free agent who demonstrated in 2016 that he is a durable and capable starter, Shipley’s market value is probably at its peak this offseason. That’s not to say that he is necessarily in for a massive payday, but it is possible that another team might be willing to offer him a contract at a higher salary, and for more years, than the Cardinals. As short as NFL careers can be, there is no shame in taking the money, should it be offered.

Verdict:

Though he may draw interest from other clubs, the Cardinals should be able to sign Shipley to a reasonable contract. As long as this is the case, it makes sense to bring him back to bridge the gap until Boehm is ready, and to serve as a solid backup once that time comes.

Next: Earl Watford: Should he stay or should he go?

Even if the Cardinals do find themselves in a bidding war for Shipley’s services, there is a value to continuity – especially on the offensive line. It probably makes sense to pay a small premium to bring Shipley back, as long as the price does not become too exorbitant.