Cardinals GM Steve Keim confirmed Thursday night on the Big Red Rage that their goal is to sign DB Tyrann Mathieu to a long-term extension, via AzCardinals.com.
Keim isn’t sure when they’ll get something done with Mathieu, but added: “I don’t think there is any doubt that’s our goal.”
Mathieu previously told reporters that he wouldn’t mind finishing out his NFL career in Arizona.
“I think this is the perfect place for me,” Mathieu said, per Kyle Odegard. “I wouldn’t mind spending the rest of my life here.”
Beyond that, Ian Rapoport of NFL Media reported that the Cardinals view signing Mathieu to a long-term contract extension as a “priority” for them during the offseason. Rapoport added that the Cardinals will likely make Mathieu the highest paid safety in the NFL.
Unfortunately for him, he suffered a season-ending ACL injury towards the end of the season.
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. He is entering the final year of his four-year, $3.052 million rookie contract that included $817,187 guaranteed and stands to make a base salary of $675,000 in 2016.
In 2015, Mathieu appeared in 14 games and recorded 89 tackles, a sack, five interceptions with one being returned for a touchdown, a forced fumble and 16 pass defenses for the Cardinals. Pro Football Focus has him rated as the No. 1 cornerback out of 111 qualifying players.
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