Cardinals View Contract Extension For CB Tyrann Mathieu As A Top Priority

Cardinals GM Steve Keim told Jay Glazer of FOX Sports (via Mike Jurecki) that locking up CB Tyrann Mathieu to a long-term contract is one their “biggest priorities.”

Mathieu, 23, is a former third-round pick of the Cardinals back in 2013, who has quickly become an impact player for one of the best defensive units in the NFL.

Mathieu has two years remaining on his four-year, $3.052 million rookie contract that included $817,187 guaranteed. He’ll make a base salary of $585,000 this season and another $675,000 in 2016, so you can see he’s in line for a sizable extension.

This season, Mathieu has appeared in 10 games and recorded 57 tackles, a sack, three interceptions with one being returned for a touchdown, a forced fumble and 12 pass defenses for the Cardinals. Pro Football Focus has him rated as the No. 1 cornerback out of 111 qualifying players.