Darnell Dockett doesn't want to leave Arizona, but understands 'it's a business'

Arizona Cardinalss defensive tackle Darnell Dockett has a contract that is flagged for attention for the Arizona Cardinals. At age 33 and in the final year of his deal, he will have a salary cap number of $9.8 million. His salary is $6.55 million and, if the Cardinals were to release him, they would save nearly $7 million against the cap.

But Dockett wants to be back.

He was a guest on "The Drive" on Fox Sports Radio 910 with Jody Oehler and Mike Jurecki on Wednesday and, among a myriad of other topics (his health, his weight loss, his recovery and his animals), he was asked about his contract situation.

He sounded like a man lobbying to stick around.

"I can only control what I can control," Dockett said in the interview. "I know what I bring to the game. The situation is what it is. I love playing for B.A. I love playing for Todd (Bowles). I've been here for 10 years and my heart and soul is in this organization. My loyalty lies with that organization probably more than anybody who puts that uniform on. But I understand it's a business."

He noted that the decision to move on from him shouldn't be simply a financial decision. "When you are dealing with certain guys like myself you have to make certain decisions," he said. "I just know I'm one of the most passionate people to put on any uniform."

He talked about his heart and his passion. He spoke of how much he motivates other players around him.

he did make it clear, though, what his desire is.

"Do I want to leave Arizona? No," Dockett said. "But if I had to, despite being frustrated having to go somewhere else, I would. I can't say I would be happy with the situation if that decision if it was made, but I understand this is a business. I've seen it happen to the best of them. At the end of the day my loyalty is to Arizona."

The Cardinals, should they decide to approach Dockett with a change in his contract, could go at it a couple of different ways. They could extend the deal to make it less burdensome on the salary cap. They could also simply ask him to take a pay cut. They could do a combination of both, but give him some money up front.

Now, the question is whether or not he is willing to change the terms of his deal. Earlier in the season, he indicated he wasn't going take any pay cut. Head coach Bruce Arians expects Dockett to be back with the team next season.

Dockett is willing to continue his career elsewhere. Will he have to? Will he be willing to redo his deal? Will the Cardinals want to bring back a 33-year old coming off a torn ACL? Do they even need to pay someone that much when they got great D-line play without him?

Sound off in the comment section with your takes.