The Arizona Cardinals could have a problem on their hands. Cornerback and returner extraordinaire Patrick Peterson is eligible for a new deal, and he wants one. In fact, he might be willing to hold out, per Pro Football Talk.
Patrick Peterson won’t take holdout off table
Arizona’s best defensive player wants to be paid, and before the start of training camp.
Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports
“I can’t speak on that right now,” Peterson said when asked whether a holdout is out of the question. “Me and my agent, we haven’t talked about some of those possibilities. But hopefully we can get something done. If something were to happen, we restructure my deal or anything like that, we’ll have to wait and see what happens.”
Peterson, a former first round pick out of LSU in 2011, has shined as one of the brightest stars in the NFL since his rookie season. Along with Richard Sherman and Darrelle Revis, Peterson is one of the true shutdown corners in the league. Add his dynamic ability on punt returns, and he's easily one of the most valuable players in football.
After restructuring Larry Fitzgerald’s contract, the Cardinals have the money to spend on Peterson. Peterson is due $5.9 million this season before becoming a free agent. For Arizona, it makes all the sense in the world to extend him now before he hits the market and potentially skips town for a bigger payday.
Peterson isn’t the only star who could be coming to camp a little late this season. Here are a few other names to watch:
Richard Sherman
Sherman is without question the top corner in football, yet he’s paid like a role player. The Stanford alum is set to make $1.4 million in 2014 before hitting free agency. If Seattle doesn’t try to extend him, it’s likely Sherman will wait for more money by withholding his services.
The best all-around outside linebacker in football according to Pro Football Focus, Houston is scheduled to make $1.6 million next season in the last year of his rookie deal. Kansas City would probably want to get an extension done to alter its cap situation, but it is going to take a ton. Houston is a perennial Pro Bowl player.
Detroit needs to take care of Suh considering he’s the centerpiece of its defense. Despite his penchant for dirty play, Suh is arguably the best defensive tackle in football. He’s making $12.5 million in 2014, but could want the security of a long-term deal.
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