Markus Golden, Arizona Cardinals agree on contract extension

The Arizona Cardinals and starting outside linebacker Markus Golden agreed Friday to a one-year contract extension, GM Steve Keim confirmed on Arizona Sports’ Burns & Gambo.

The deal that ESPN’s Field Yates first reported is worth up to $6.5 million.

With his current contract ending after 2022, Golden had suggested on social media that he was seeking more money in a new deal.

The extension news comes two days ahead of the team’s Week 1 matchup against the Kansas City Chiefs and marks Golden’s second contract extension with Arizona.

Golden entered the week as a likely game-time decision with a toe injury that has sidelined the linebacker throughout training camp and the preseason. He made his first appearance in some time on the practice field Thursday and was again suited up Friday.

Head coach Kliff Kingsbury said Monday that if Golden was a limited participant at practice this week, the linebacker could still have a role against Kansas City.

Golden is coming off one of his best seasons as a pro. Over 16 games played, the linebacker paced the team with 11 sacks to go along with 48 tackles, 19 QB hits, four forced fumbles and a pass defensed.

Golden, who has proclaimed his love for Arizona in the past, entered the league as a Cardinals second-round draft pick in 2015. He played out his rookie contract with the franchise before inking a one-year deal with the New York Giants in 2019.

He signed on for another season in New York the following year but saw just seven games before the Cardinals swung a trade for the linebacker in exchange for a 2021 sixth-round pick. He signed a two-year contract extension with Arizona ahead of the 2021 season.

Aside from Golden, Arizona’s OLB room includes veteran Dennis Gardeck, practice squad contributor Devon Kennard, second-year pro Victor Dimukeje and rookies Cameron Thomas and Myjai Sanders.

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