Cardinals LT Levi Brown’s Final Year In Arizona?

Kent Somers of the Arizona Republic writes that the 2011 season is likely to be Levi Brown‘s last with the Arizona Cardinals.

“Brown’s salary is due to increase from $5 million to $8.3 million in 2012, the final year of the contract. If he’s on the roster, he’s due a bonus of $9.675 million. That would bring his salary-cap figure to nearly $17 million.”

Brown was taken No. 5 overall in the 2007 NFL Draft and two picks ahead of all-world RB Adrian Peterson. The move has been highly criticized over the last few years as Brown has yet to develop into a solid left-tackle.

Somers notes that Browns 2012 salary was never intended be paid but was intend added to his deal to force them to make an early decision regarding his future with the team. At this point it’s almost a certainty that he’ll be hitting the free agent market unless a new deal is renegotiated.