All photos are from Getty Images but I take credit for the color changes
The Arizona Cardinals have begun to lock up some of their free agents. Earlier last month, the Cardinals re-signed Josh Mauro to a two year deal. They also re-signed Jeremy Ross to a one year contract and gave the exclusive rights tender to Gabe Martin. This past Tuesday, Jermaine Gresham re-signed with the Cardinals on a four year deal that keeps him under contract until 2020. Although he was penalized a ton last season, he was ranked the third best blocking tight end in 2015. The Cardinals love his size, at 6'5'' 260lbs, and they love his passion for the game. He caught passes in tight coverage all season and was a tough player to tackle.
Cardinals and TE Jermaine Gresham have reached agreement on a four-year deal, per sources. One TE off the market.
— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) March 7, 2017
The Cardinals extended the contracts of their three exclusive rights free agents as well. John Wetzel played offensive tackle and guard last season as a result to injuries. With Earl Watford set to hit free agency, Wetzel will assume his role as the swiss army knife of the offensive line. Steve Keim and Bruce Arians love Olsen Pierre's potential. He was an inactive the entire 2017 season but with good reason. The Cardinals need another camp body at quarterback and decided to bring back Zac Dysert.
Cardinals re-sign QB Zac Dysert, a deal agreed to last December. extend tenders to OL John Wetzel, DL Olsen PIerre
— Kent Somers (@kentsomers) March 7, 2017
The Arizona Cardinals placed the non-exclusive franchise tag on Chandler Jones, which would have resulted in a $14.9M cap hit for the 2017 season. He is one of three pass rushers with double digit sacks the past two seasons. Him and Markus Golden will be wrecking havoc on quarterbacks for many more years to come. The Cardinals traded a second round pick and Jonathan Cooper to the New England Patriot to acquire him in the 2016 offseason. He helped the Cardinals solve their pass rush woes. Fortunately for the Cardinals, they seem to be closing in on a multi year contract with the talented pass rusher.
Sources: The #AZCardinals and franchised tagged pass-rusher Chandler Jones are finalizing a 5-year extension. Going to be large.
— Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) March 8, 2017
As expected for many weeks now, the Cardinals will be losing two valuable players in free agency. Calais Campbell was not expected to return to the Cardinals, after turning down the Cardinals' offer of over $10M per season. It has now been confirmed that the long time Cardinal will be signing with the Jacksonville Jaguars and is expected to receive a big pay day by the start of free agency.
Calais Campbell is expected to sign with the Jaguars per sources
— Dianna Russini (@diannaESPN) March 9, 2017
The next free agent to leave is Tony Jefferson. He was ranked one of the best run defending safeties of the 2016 NFL season by Pro Football Focus. Both the Cardinals and Jefferson had mutual interest in returning but the business side of football made it difficult for a reunion. The former undrafted free agent from Oklahoma signed with the Cardinals back in 2013. Since then, he has been one of the most consistent, but very underrated, defensive backs on the roster. After playing on a $1.67M tender this past season with very little interest in the 2016 free agent market, he still had something to prove in the NFL. He had to prove himself again that he is one of the best safeties in the NFL. His dominance on the football field with the Cardinals was clear and he will be looking to cash in with the Baltimore Ravens at the start of free agency.
Tony Jefferson is expected to sign with the Ravens barring no last minute issues sources tell me and @AdamSchefter
— Dianna Russini (@diannaESPN) March 9, 2017
The Arizona Cardinals traded for Marcus Cooper in exchange for a conditional 2018 7th round pick at the beginning of the 2016 regular season. Since then he had 69 tackles with 11 pass deflections, four interceptions, and one touchdown. Nothing is set and stone yet for impending free agent cornerback but it seems that Bruce Arians' theory of him potentially receiving a big pay day in free agency is coming true. He has received interest from the Philadelphia Eagles as well.
Source: #Jets interested in Cardinals cornerback, former Rutgers star Marcus Cooper https://t.co/Suug60sMhi
— Connor Hughes (@Connor_J_Hughes) March 8, 2017
As for D.J. Swearinger, Kevin Minter, Sio Moore and the rest of the Cardinals' long list of free agents, there should be some more clarity at the start of free agency tomorrow.
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