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A big offseason question for the Arizona Cardinals is whether or not they re-sign running back Kenyan Drake. He was acquired in a midseason trade from the Miami Dolphins and, even in just half a season, became the team’s leading rusher.
His play quickly relegated David Johnson to the bench.
Drake is now scheduled to become a free agent next month and is keeping his options open. However, the Cardinals and Drake have had contact, although it doesn’t sound like there has been much discussion about a new contract.
“I don’t want to get into details but we have had talks with Kenyan and I have made it clear we would like to have him back,” general manager Steve Keim said on Arizona Sports 98.7 FM on Friday.
Keim has made it clear before that he would like Drake to re-sign. The question, of course, is what Drake is seeking. The Cardinals currently have more than $14 million tied up in the salary cap with David Johnson. They can’t really cut him because it will take more salary cap to cut him than to keep him, so if Drake is seeking top running back money after half a season of great production, the Cardinals probably can’t bring him back.
Drake is on the record saying he needs to do what is best for his family, so he might want to see what is out there in free agency and test the market rather than agree to a deal ahead of time.
In the final eight games of the season, Drake rushed for 643 yards and eight touchdowns. He had three games of at least 110 yards and scored seven touchdowns in the final three games.
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Ep. 257
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Ep. 256
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