Arizona Cardinals and Kurt Warner Working on New Contract

Yesterday we get news of Warner taking most of the snaps with the first unit during an OTA last week and today we hear that the team and Warner are engaging in talk for a new contract. Warner wants a new deal in place by the start of camp in late July and doesn't want negotiations to drag into the season. Warner, who is entering the final year of his current deal, will turn 37 years old later this month but that didn't stop him from throwing 27 touchdowns in just 14 games last season. He's reportedly looking for a two year deal and the contract is likely to report on two different pay scales depending on whether he's the starting QB or a backup. Warner's last contract was a three year deal for $18 million, although incentives with incentives it could be worth up to $22 million and he'll count $5 million against the cap in 2008. I've made no bones about who I'd rather see starting the season and leading this franchise into the future and I sure wouldn't mind saving some cap space either.  Warner and Leinart will combine for over $9.5 million against the cap this season and it would be awful nice if the backup QB cap hit was closer to $1 or $2 million instead of $5 million.

I'm not sure which I'd rather see happen in this scenario. If Matt falters as QB and Warner walks after this season, the Cards could be left scanning the free agent wire for a veteran QB or scouting a rookie to draft in the first round next year. But, if Matt looks like the franchise QB that he was drafted to be, I'd honestly rather not have Kurt on the team. I wouldn't go as far as to call him a trouble maker, but he certainly seems like a guy who thinks he should be the starter and won't accept much less. Oh well, by this time next year we'll know which one was the right decision.

What kind of contract would you be offering Warner if you're last name was Bidwell?