Offensive weapon David Johnson is trusting that the Arizona Cardinals organization will reward him with a fat new contract
In the age of inflated NFL salaries, the Arizona Cardinals’ David Johnson is severely underpaid. So underpaid, in fact, that the star running back elected to sit out some practices this past spring. Rest easy Cards’ fans, the holdout is apparently over.
There Johnson was on Monday, out on the field with some other Cardinals who were injured in 2017. Because of their time missed last season, the group of players were permitted to report to training camp early. In other words, Johnson was present on the very first day that he was eligible to be there.
It’s an incredibly unselfish act by the fourth-year runner. Johnson is scheduled to make $1.905 million in 2018, a ridiculously low salary for the 26-year old dynamo. By comparison, the Los Angeles Rams’ Todd Gurley has just been inked to a four-year, $60 million extension, a deal that Johnson’s agent is undoubtedly very aware of.
Despite missing 15 games last year, Johnson’s career statistics are mind-boggling. In 33 professional appearances (22 starts), the 6’1″, 224 pounder has tallied 3,246 yards of offense. Even more impressive is the fact that Johnson has reached the end zone 33 times, for an average of one per contest.
Johnson’s decision to report is a testament to his character. Everyone who makes their living on the gridiron is aware that any play could be their last. That Johnson is willing to put his financial future at risk to be with his teammates is highly commendable.
Gurley’s agreement appears to have set the parameters for the heart and soul of Arizona’s offense. Just recently, Leveon Bell, another of the league’s top backs, turned down a five-year, $70 million proposal from the Pittsburgh Steelers. It stands to reason that Johnson’s demands will be somewhere in the neighborhood of what Gurley received.
Possibly standing in the way of the Johnson negotiations is Steve Keim’s suspension. The Cards’ general manager was cited for a DUI on July 4th, and has to stay away from the club for five weeks. From Johnson’s standpoint, the timing of Keim’s troubles couldn’t have been worse.
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The team’s front office needs to take care of their prized possession. Johnson is doing his part by being with the squad. It’s now time for the Cardinals’ brass to show him the money.