The Arizona Cardinals have expressed their desire to keep running back Kenyan Drake and re-sign him. In a bit of a surprise move, they will keep him for at least one more season.
According to NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport, the Cardinals are using the transition tag on Drake. The team then announced the move in a press release.
According to Over the Cap, it is estimated the Cardinals will pay him a little more than $10 million in salary for 2020. It does allow the Cardinals more time to negotiate a long-term deal with him.
However, it does tie up that money in the salary cap.
Under the terms of the transition tag designation, Drake can negotiate a long-term contract with other teams through July 22. The Cardinals would have the right-of-first-refusal on any offer the player receives from another team, but would not receive compensation if the contract is not matched.
Drake was acquired midseason for a fifth-round draft pick from the Miami Dolphins and in just eight games, he led the team in rushing. He rushed for 643 yards and eight touchdowns, including seven touchdowns in his final three games.
That ties up a ton of money at running back. David Johnson already counts more than $14 million against the cap.
We will see if this means the Cardinals already have plans to deal Johnson and if they will be able to ink Drake to a long-term deal moving forward.
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