Arizona Cardinals’ Antonio Cromartie would like to return, has not talked with team yet
Jan 22, 2015, 9:43 PM | Updated: 10:12 pm
LUKE AIR FORCE BASE, Ariz. — For at least a few more days, Antonio Cromartie will take the field wearing an Arizona Cardinals logo.
The cornerback, who will be a free agent at the conclusion of this season, is one of four players the Cardinals sent to the Pro Bowl, which will be played in Glendale.
After practice Thursday, he reiterated his desire to be back in Arizona next season.
“I would like to, but like I’ve said before, I’m always going to keep the door open,” he said. “And that’s just me. I’m going into my 10th year, coming up this year, and I want to make sure I keep my options open not only for me, but also for my family and make sure that it’s understandable for them and it’s reasonable for the family.”
The 30-year-old Cromartie is coming off a season in which he amassed 40 total tackles, three interceptions, one fumble recovery and 12 passes defended. The Pro Bowl nod is the fourth in his career, and Pro Football Focus graded him out as Arizona’s best cornerback in 2014.
The day after the season ended, Cardinals coach Bruce Arians said he would like to have the veteran in his secondary next season, but Thursday, Cromartie said he had yet to have any discussions with general manager Steve Keim or anyone about re-signing.
“I haven’t had any talks at all,” he said. “Probably not looking forward to any talks until after the Super Bowl. If we get to that point and start talking, we’ll see what happens from there.”
Cromartie said Pro Bowl or not, the plan was always to wait until about then to address his contract. He’s confident his performance this season said enough for him, for now.
In the meantime, he will just hang out at the Pro Bowl, playing alongside some of the best players, three of whom happen to be teammates of his. And no, Cromartie said they have not been in his ear trying to convince him to come back.
“You know what, no, we don’t even talk about it,” he said. “And honestly, I don’t even talk about it. When that time comes about and guys start calling the phone and we start talking about it then, that’s when we’ll start looking into it. But right now I’m enjoying my offseason, not worrying about anything else and enjoying my family. Just enjoying the free time that I do have. When that time comes about, we’ll worry about it then.”
