Cardinals, Monti Ossenfort really can’t afford to let their NFL Draft hits walk

Contract extensions can be a tricky business, especially when an NFL team is strapped for cash.

That’s not the case for the Arizona Cardinals despite the pulling-of-teeth optics the franchise has shown when it comes to locking in its integral players long term.

According to OverTheCap, the Cardinals are far from hurting for salary cap space the next couple of years. The wiggle room is there, but there hasn’t been a whole lot of wiggling.

Now, the Hjalte Froholdt extension was a chef’s kiss type of move. It’s a two-year deal for a guy who has brought a ton of stability to a position that was severely lacking.

But the Trey McBride deal? That started with such a low-ball offer that the top tight end in the league thought about playing elsewhere before eventually getting $19 million a year.

You never want to throw out your best offer at the start of contract negotiations. That’s not good business at any level. To start at $12 million a year was surprisingly low, though.

Burned bridges may light the way for some, but overall, it’s best to avoid them when possible.

It wasn’t like McBride was some outsider, either. The Cardinals know what type of dude he is.

The same goes for Michael Wilson and Paris Johnson Jr., who remain without extensions despite being eligible for them.

There’s additional time to get something ironed out with Johnson after Arizona picked up his fifth-year option for next year.

Wilson, however, is teetering closer and closer to hitting free agency next offseason as he enters a contract year. ESPN analyst Jeremy Fowler’s reporting on Wednesday only reaffirms that feeling, saying the receiver will likely be a key figure next free agency.

Could there be some agent posturing at hand here? Absolutely, especially with how things are worded. Wilson and his agent could also be asking for a pretty penny after seeing what Indianapolis Colts wide receiver Alec Pierce got this offseason.

Marvin Harrison Jr. isn’t all that far off from entering contract extension talks, either. Tying up more money at the position, notably WR1-type funds, could seem counterproductive with other roster needs elsewhere like pass rusher.

Those potential factors still don’t take away from the fact that general manager Monti Ossenfort really can’t afford to let one of his NFL Draft successes hit the open market if he hopes to stick around.

And that’s before even mentioning just how important Wilson is to head coach Mike LaFleur’s offensive operation in that “Puka-Nacua role,” the wideout’s clear ascension, and how he carries himself off the field. The more the Cardinals wait, there’s a real likelihood Wilson’s price only increases.

Let’s call it what it is, Ossenfort is firmly on the hot seat after posting a 15-36 mark in three years of work. He got rid of a pair of scapegoats in Kyler Murray and Jonathan Gannon, has missed more times in free agency than not and just watched more of his higher-end NFL Draft picks hit the waiver wire like BJ Ojulari during 53-man roster cutdown day.

Injuries played a frustrating part in Ojulari’s departure, but that still doesn’t take away from how it looks. Elijah Jones is another Day 2 pick no longer on the roster, while Trey Benson was waived/injured before reverting to Arizona’s injured reserve with no other teams taking a chance on him.

The temperature has only cranked up for the GM. Another losing season could and should be the final nail in the coffin after having to rebuild a rebuild.

Missing out on extending the players he brought in through the draft would only add to that thinking.

Ossenfort said during training camp he wants Wilson around long-term. Will that become a reality or just talk? The clock is ticking.

Related

Report: Cardinals attempted contract extension with WR Michael WilsonArizona Cardinals announce uniform schedule for 2026 seasonWalter Nolen III’s ‘wake-up call’ could mean big things in Year 2Cardinals add 2 linemen to their practice squadPackers GM: Josh Sweat trade talks never happened, Green Bay signs Kedon SlovisCardinals announce 13 practice squad signings, plus international player exemption