Arizona Cardinals: Likelihood that free agents return

Running Back Chris Johnson

The Cardinals’ running backs room could be the hardest hit by free agency, with Chris Johnson, Stepfan Taylor, and Andre Ellington all free agents. It seems likely that the Cardinals will look to retain at least one of these three free agents, though they could opt to fill the depth chart with some combination of rookies, and familiar faces Kerwynn Williams and Elijhaa Penny.

If the Cardinals do look to re-sign one of their veteran backs, there are cases to be made for and against each of the three incumbents, beginning with Chris Johnson.

Johnson has indicated that, though there is mutual interest in a possible return to the Cardinals, he intends to test free agency first.

Moreover, he has conveyed a desire to play for a team where he will have a role in the offense. With the emergence of Arizona Cardinals star running back David Johnson, Arizona may not be able to offer the kind of role that Johnson covets.

But, as they say, it takes two to tango, and there is no guarantee that Johnson will be offered the kind of role he seeks. This is in part due to his age – Johnson will turn 32 during the first month of the upcoming season – but more a function of a free agent market for running backs that will be anything but robust.

In the end, Johnson might find that a return to the Cardinals is his best option, and the Cardinals would probably be pleased to have a veteran insurance policy behind David Johnson.

Likelihood of returning: 30 percent