Arizona Cardinals: Likelihood that free agents return

Center A.Q. Shipley

After years of toiling as a journeyman, Arizona Cardinals center A.Q. Shipley seemed to find a home with the Arizona Cardinals. Shipley rewarded the Cardinals with dependable play, boasting a respectable Pro Football Focus grade of 82.4.

Though he is not going to be among the highest paid players in free agency, Shipley’s solid play should garner some attention from other clubs. The Cardinals could find themselves in a tough situation, as they try to decide whether or not to pay market value for Shipley’s services. The presence of second-year center Evan Boehm could make a Shipley exit easier to absorb.

Shipley’s future with the Cardinals is likely to be contingent upon how the team decides to address the need at right guard. If the Cardinals sign a top free agent, like Kevin Zeitler or Larry Warford, they are likely to let Shipley walk and entrust center to Boehm. If the Cardinals opt to fill the hole at right guard with in house options – including the possibility of moving Boehm to guard – then Shipley’s return will be imperative.

Likelihood of returning: 70 percent