One of the most notable free agents the Arizona Cardinals have is running back Kenyan Drake. It is unknown how much interest the team has in re-signing him, although head coach Kliff Kingsbury has said on multiple occasions that Drake is a “perfect fit” in the offense.
Will he be back in 2021?
While it is uncertain, there hasn’t been any progress in terms of contract talks. In fact, there hasn’t been much in terms of talks, period.
“There hasn’t really been too much dialogue right now,” Drake said on Good Morning Football. “I know the league and the teams are trying to figure out the cap room. Once we cross that bridge, we’ll get there.”
This isn’t necessarily a result of the team not wanting to bring him back. The Cardinals’ timeline for this offseason is a little uncertain.
They don’t know what the salary cap will be. There are a lot of moving parts when it comes to free agency.
The Cardinals often begin serious contract talks after the NFL combine. With no combine this year, it is unknown what the timeline for talks will be.
Drake made nearly $8.5 million in 2020 playing on the transition tag. He rushed for 955 yards and 10 touchdowns, missing one game.
He was disappointed he missed the 1,000-yard milestone and also that the team missed the postseason.
Will he be able to make what he got last season? That is the question. He proved he is capable of being a featured back.
The Cardinals would likely want him back at the right price. The same is true for Drake.
“I would love the opportunity to come back to Arizona, but also do want to get the most of what I feel I deserve, so we’ll see,” he said on The Jim Rome Show.
What the Cardinals do at running back will be one of the more intriguing developments of the offseason.
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