The Arizona Cardinals have said they want to re-sign running back Kenyan Drake. However, they do not appear to be willing to re-sign him at all costs. As a result, Drake appears to be set to test free agency.
According to The Athletic’s Scott Bordow, there are two things the Cardinals don’t want to do in a new contract for Drake.
They don’t want to pay him more than $5 million per year and don’t want to give him a four-year contract.
That is ideal, but it probably means he won’t return. With the Los Angeles Chargers signing Austin Ekeler to a four-year, $24.5 million deal, that more or less sets the market for Drake.
There is a rumor that Drake is seeking a deal that will pay him between $8 million and $10 million per year. He isn’t likely going to get that much, but he very well could get a contract worth what Ekeler received.
Drake likely already knows what the Cardinals are willing to pay him. He knows they want him back and believe he is a perfect fit.
Free agency begins next week. It feels like the only way he returns to Arizona is if he doesn’t find anything better than the expected three-year $15 million the Cardinals have probably offered.
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