Cardinals GM Steve Keim Says They Would “Love” To Re-Sign RB Kenyan Drake

“The mindset of going into the trade, it wasn’t done because we had two backs that were injured and was sort of a stop-gap situation,” Keim said, via AzCardinals.com. “If that was a the case, my mindset was I would’ve signed a guy off the street. We truly thought this was the type of player Kenyan Drake was. That’s why we made trade and hope this was the kind of success he would have.”

Drake is in line to be an unrestricted free agent next year, but Keim says he would “love” to have him back. 

“As far as waiting until after the season (to re-sign Drake), that’s not necessarily the thing either. I would certainly love to have Kenyan Drake back,” Keim added. “I think he fits in this offense and he really has given us a spark in many ways.”

Drake has been a far better fit in HC Kliff Kingsbury’s offense than David Johnson and it’s to the point where Johnson’s future in Arizona is clearly in question. 

It would not be surprising to see the Cardinals be aggressive in trying to get an extension done with Drake before the start of free agency next March. 

Drake, 25, is a former third-round pick of the Dolphins back in 2016. Miami traded him to the Cardinals before this year’s deadline in return for a conditional sixth-round pick that can become a fifth-rounder. 

Drake is currently in the final year of his four-year, $3.5 million contract and stands to make a base salary of $810,000 for the 2019 season. He’s in line to be an unrestricted free agent in 2020.

In 2019, Drake has appeared in 12 games for the Dolphins and Cardinals and rushed for 591 yards on 134 (4.4 YPC) to go along with 44 receptions for 304 yards receiving and five total touchdowns.

We’ll have more regarding Drake and the Cardinals. as the news is available.