What will happen with Arizona Cardinals running back David Johnson this offseason? He is due to make $10.2 million in fully-guaranteed salary and has a cap hit of more than $14 million. He also lost his starting job to Kenyan Drake.
One thing is certain, according to general manager Steve Keim.
“Cutting him is not an option,” he said on Arizona Sports 98.7 FM on Friday. “Not only he cap hit, but you’re still paying the cash as well. It wouldn’t be responsible for me or the organization to do that.”
Cutting him would use more salary cap space than keeping on the roster.
Now, Keim has been very open about wanting to re-sign Kenyan Drake, who will be a free agent next month. That doesn’t change the fact that Keim believes Johnson still can make an impact, even if he isn’t in a starting role.
“If David Johnson isn’t the starter, he still has a significant role,” Keim explained. “The guy still creates big-time mismatches in the passing game. He still brings kick return ability, and you can’t just have one back. You have to have a platoon of backs. We’ve seen that, so there are enough carries to go around to have multiple players there.”
Keim believes Johnson fell victim of circumstances last season as his role quickly diminished after Drake was acquired in a midseason trade.
“I think it was one of those things that when you look at the big picture and chase got hurt and David got hurt, we made the trade and then Kenyan Drake came in and got the hot hand. In any sport, I think that you see guys have success and the way coaches are wired, the way you’re wired to want to win and do well offensively, you go with the hot hand and that’s what happened last year.”
Of course, the Cardinals might not be able to re-sign Drake, who appears willing to test the market. As such, Keim still expresses confidence in Johnson.
“He’s got tremendous skills. He’s a great person. He works extremely hard,” he said. “We have a lot of faith in David and think he can continue to play well and go back to what he did in 2016.”
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Ep. 257
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Ep. 256
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