ARIZONA CARDINALS

Cardinals linebacker Kevin Minter wants to finish his career in Arizona

Jan 8, 2017, 8:39 AM | Updated: Jan 9, 2017, 11:48 am

Arizona Cardinals middle linebacker Kevin Minter (51) in the first half during an NFL football game...

Arizona Cardinals middle linebacker Kevin Minter (51) in the first half during an NFL football game against the Seattle Seahawks, Sunday, Oct. 23, 2016, in Glendale, Ariz. (AP Photo/Rick Scuteri)

(AP Photo/Rick Scuteri)

LISTEN: Kevin Minter, Cardinals LB

On two different defensive units, the Arizona Cardinals have a key defensive player coming off his best NFL season that came during a contract year.

Safety Tony Jefferson, 24, is an unrestricted free agent after a career-best 2016, and 26-year-old linebacker Kevin Minter is in the same boat.

The good news for Cardinals fans is Jefferson expressed his interest in staying in the Valley this week. Minter is in the same boat.

“I would love to be here, I would love to finish my career here,” Minter said on Arizona Sports 98.7 FM’s Arizona Sports Saturday show.

The linebacker had a career-high 3.5 sacks in 2016, showing he is more than just an inside linebacker that will stop the run.

Still, it’s difficult for Minter to look back on a disappointing 2016 campaign for his team.

“We weren’t finishing games and that’s kind of what we pride ourselves on for the past few years,” Minter said.

Minter sees the potential of the group and believes the Cardinals grew throughout the season. He admitted that since he was drafted, he’s never seen the team have so many key players as free agents.

“There’s so many guys,” Minter said. “I haven’t seen this many key guys up for contracts on a team, ever.”

Along with Minter and Jefferson are defensive lineman Calais Campbell, pass rusher Chandler Jones and safety D.J. Swearinger, to name a few of the key offseason question marks for Arizona.

Should the roster remain intact, Minter is already looking ahead and sees the potential in the Cardinals’ defense for 2017.

“We didn’t get done what we wanted to get done, but at the same time, I feel like this team grew a lot through the season,” he said.

Presented By
Western Governors University

Comments

Comment guidelines: No name-calling, personal attacks, profanity, or insults. Please keep the conversation civil and help us moderate comments by reporting abuse.
comments powered by Disqus

Arizona Cardinals

Desmond Ridder runs the rock against Houston...

Tyler Drake

Desmond Ridder eager to remind fellow Cardinals QB Clayton Tune about college wins

Cardinals quarterback Desmond Ridder may not know Kyler Murray just yet, but he and Clayton Tune go way back.

19 hours ago

LSU's Malik Nabers, a top NFL Draft prospect...

Kevin Zimmerman

NFL Draft: Malik Nabers to visit Arizona Cardinals after LSU pro day, per report

Top NFL Draft receiver prospect Malik Nabers will reportedly visit with the Arizona Cardinals after the LSU Tigers' pro day.

23 hours ago

Desmond Ridder looks to pass...

Tyler Drake

QB1 or not, Desmond Ridder keeping starter mentality with Cardinals

New Cardinals QB Desmond Ridder is focused on using the good and the bad from his first two seasons rather than listening to outside chatter.

2 days ago

Jonathan Gannon and Kyler Murray look on...

Tyler Drake

Cardinals’ Jonathan Gannon: Kyler Murray’s ‘best football is ahead of him’

Cardinals head coach Jonathan Gannon believes Kyler Murray will continue taking the necessary steps forward with a full offseason of work.

2 days ago

Kyler Murray chats with Jonathan Gannon...

Arizona Sports

Arizona Cardinals will face ‘really good’ AFC opponent for joint preseason practices

The Arizona Cardinals expect to hold joint practices in the preseason against a really good AFC opponent, in the words of Jonathan Gannon.

2 days ago

Patriots and Cardinals kick off return in 2020...

Associated Press

NFL owners approve new kickoff rules for 2024

NFL kickoff rules will take on a hybrid approach similar to the XFL. League owners approved the new measures Tuesday.

2 days ago

Cardinals linebacker Kevin Minter wants to finish his career in Arizona