John Brown is playing for a contract extension in 2017

This time last offseason there seemed to be little, if any doubt that John Brown was going to be in the Arizona Cardinals long term plans.

Now, after a tumultuous 2016 season, Brown is one of the bigger question marks heading into the 2017 NFL season for the Arizona Cardinals.

If healthy and over his sickle cell issues, he will never be completely over them but if he can manage them, he is one of the most electric wide receivers in the NFL.

After a solid rookie campaign, Brown became one of the most feared deep threats in the NFL in 2015, racking up 65 catches for 1003 yards and seven touchdowns. He was on the fast track to establishing himself as one of the premier young weapons in the NFL.

That all came to a crashing halt in 2016, when health issues took their toll.

Brown’s absence and inability to play was one of the bigger issues of 2016, as it happened to coincide with the worst year of Michael Floyd’s career, and all of a sudden the strongest positional group on the roster was desperate for talent.

Now, entering his fourth season, and a contract year, Brown is looking to get back on top and reestablish himself as a game changer.

Brown’s first two seasons were on par with players like Allen Hurns, Jeremy Maclin, Torrey Smith and Kenny Stills.

All of these players signed $8 million deals or more after their rookie contracts ended, and Brown has that type of ability. He will be looking to make that type of money as well.

For his sake and the Arizona Cardinals, let’s hope he finds that again in 2017.