2018 Cardinals' Top Salaries/Cap Hits (Rounded)

[Mitch]

1. $16.9M---WR Larry Fitzgerald (#2 highest paid WR in NFL behind Antonio Brown)

2. $15.5M---OLB Chandler Jones (#3 OLB)

3. $15.0M---CB Patrick Peterson (#4 CB)

4. $14.1M---S Tyrann Mathieu (#1 S)

5. $10.2M---T Jared Veldheer (#15 T)

6. $9.7M---G Mike Iupati (#8 G)

7. $8.7M---ILB Deone Bucannon (#7 ILB)

8. $7.3M---TE Jermaine Gresham (#10 TE)

9. $4.9M---S Antoine Bethea (#27 S)

10. $3.5M---K Phil Dawson (#6 K)

11. $3.3M---DT Josh Mauro (#34 DT)

12. $2.8M---RB Adrian Peterson (#23 RB)

13. $2.1M---C A.Q. Shipley (#17 C)

Notes:

* Did you realize that the Cardinals are scheduled to pay 8 player Top 10 $$$ at their positions in 2018?

* When you look at where the players are salary-wise versus the top paid players at their positions, it becomes more difficult to justify the salaries, with the exception of OLB Chandler Jones.

Justifiable Salaries:

1. WR Larry Fitzgerald---legends deserve to be paid coming off another fabulous season.
2. OLB Chandler Jones---coming off best season as pro.
3. CB Patrick Peterson---talent is obvious.
4. S Antoine Bethea---coming off one of his best seasons.

Questionable Salaries:

1. Tryann Mathieu---coming off two mediocre seasons in a row.
2. Jared Veldheer---may need a $2-3M adjustment, coming off solid season.
3. Mike iupati---will need to accept a significant pay cut and could be willing.
4. Deone Bucannon---two sub-par seasons in a row, not worthy of top ILB money.
5. Jermaine Gresham---being paid as a top 10 TE is unfathomable.
6. Phil Dawson---might be worth the salary this time around.
7. Josh Mauro---coming off sub par season at a position where the team has depth.
8. Adrian Peterson---coming off neck injury, can he accept a secondary role?
9. A.Q. Shipley---his salary is reasonable if he remains a starter, but should the team get younger at C?

 

[TRW]

Of the questionable salaries I see Veldheer and Dawson as the only 2 to keep.

 

[juza76]

I enjoyed Mathieu in.his first 2 seasons but no way he get 14 mil

 

[az jam]

We are stuck with Gresham this year as the dead cap hit would be $9.2 million. Not sure why we gave him this contract last year.

 

[GuernseyCard]

DBuc's salary is a 5th-year option designed to trigger a new deal. They'll either come to an agreement or he'll be cut... IMO

 

[GatorAZ]

8. $7.3M---TE Jermaine Gresham (#10 TE)

 

[BW52]

Keep Veldheer and Dawson.Renegoiate Mauro (who fills a solid rotation role) Iupati (can still help),If Adrian Peterson takes a paycut and accepts a semi-limited role the n keep him.Gresham cap hit makes him uncuttable probably.Matthieu way way overpaid--bye bye (he said he won`t take a pay cut) Bucannon-sayanora baby

 

[Mitch]

Tyrann Mathieu---one would hope that the Honey Badger would be willing to work with the Cardinals on a revised contract. After all, the Cardinals took the risk of drafting him. Honey Badger repaid the Cardinals' trust in him and they rewarded him for that when they could have waited to see how his 2nd ACL rehab went. For him to compromise on a new contract with the Cardinals would be a fair gesture of gratitude in return---that is---if he thinks it's fair.

 

[BW52]

Tyrann Mathieu---one would hope that the Honey Badger would be willing to work with the Cardinals on a revised contract. After all, the Cardinals took the risk of drafting him. Honey Badger repaid the Cardinals' trust in him and they rewarded him for that when they could have waited to see how his 2nd ACL rehab went. For him to compromise on a new contract with the Cardinals would be a fair gesture of gratitude in return---that is---if he thinks it's fair.

Didn`t Matthieu say "HE wasn`t going to take a pay cut".Send his overrated underperforming ass out of town.

 

[Mitch]

Didn`t Matthieu say "HE wasn`t going to take a pay cut".Send his overrated underperforming ass out of town.

Not sure whether to believe that or not. I would think he is stoked that the Cardinals hired Steve Wilks as HC and would love to play for him even if it means reworking his current deal. I hope this is the case.

 

[BullheadCardFan]

As far as I am concerned it's time to move on from Tyrann.

It's too much salary for what he brings, or should I say doesn't bring? He has lost a step and does not tackle like he used too. Poor habit? Or watching others play soft and just doing enough to get by?

 

[WisconsinCard]

As far as I am concerned it's time to move on from Tyrann.

It's too much salary for what he brings, or should I say doesn't bring? He has lost a step and does not tackle like he used too. Poor habit? Or watching others play soft and just doing enough to get by?

78 tackles last year is second on the team. I think he could still be recovering from his knee injuries. He is not worth 14 mil next year and that is a fact, but by cutting him you only save about 4 mil, I think his dead money hit is almost 10 Mil. His contract is an albatross, I'm not sure what is the best way to go, just glad I don't have to decide.

 

[WisconsinCard]

Deone Bucannon---two sub-par seasons in a row, not worthy of top ILB money.

Second on the team in tackles this year after missing several game, I wouldn't call that sub-par. But still not worth 8 mil, and we could probably get someone to produce similar numbers for half that. Another thing to consider is will SK be quick to get rid of him? I mean that tells everyone his first round pick wasn't worth it, if he cant get to a second contract. Hopefully they can extend or re-sign him to a more cap friendly contract.

 

[Harry]

Second on the team in tackles this year after missing several game, I wouldn't call that sub-par. But still not worth 8 mil, and we could probably get someone to produce similar numbers for half that. Another thing to consider is will SK be quick to get rid of him? I mean that tells everyone his first round pick wasn't worth it, if he cant get to a second contract. Hopefully they can extend or re-sign him to a more cap friendly contract.

This is a tough call. He can still tackle and blitz. His coverage skills have fallen and his burst lacks the acceleration to be the ball hawk he once was.

Mitch’s point about Wilks could allow TM to save face by saying that his hire was a game changer and he’s willing to renegotiate. I think Holcomb could use him effectively if they can reach agreement.

 

[Mitch]

Second on the team in tackles this year after missing several game, I wouldn't call that sub-par. But still not worth 8 mil, and we could probably get someone to produce similar numbers for half that. Another thing to consider is will SK be quick to get rid of him? I mean that tells everyone his first round pick wasn't worth it, if he cant get to a second contract. Hopefully they can extend or re-sign him to a more cap friendly contract.

Deone had a number of poor games this year. He started to improve at the end of the year, but way too little too late. His PFF rating was 37.8, ranked as the #79 LB.

 

[Mitch]

As far as I am concerned it's time to move on from Tyrann.

It's too much salary for what he brings, or should I say doesn't bring? He has lost a step and does not tackle like he used too. Poor habit? Or watching others play soft and just doing enough to get by?

The tantalizing thing about TM is the thought of him going somewhere else and becoming the original Honey Badger again. Wilks is a superb DB coach who can help HB return to glory...but at $14M a year...like you said, it's way too much.

 

[overseascardfan]

What Tyrann has to consider is, who is going to pay him more than $14M? So if ARZ cuts him for not taking a pay cut then it would be a shame if he signs somewhere for less that what ARZ's restructured offer is. Is he willing to leave his college buddy because of pride? I would say $8 - $9M a year would be reasonable for TM, which would create an additional $5M - $6M to the cap.

 

[Cards Czar]

Mitch I have added the below players cap hits in ( ) and a few side notes.


1. $16.9M---WR Larry Fitzgerald (#2 highest paid WR in NFL behind Antonio Brown), (11M)

2. $15.5M---OLB Chandler Jones (#3 OLB), (-5.5M)

3. $15.0M---CB Patrick Peterson (#4 CB), (9.98M)

4. $14.1M---S Tyrann Mathieu (#1 S), (4.8M)

5. $10.2M---T Jared Veldheer (#15 T), (6.9M)

6. $9.7M---G Mike Iupati (#8 G), (6.3M)

7. $8.7M---ILB Deone Bucannon (#7 ILB), (8.7M)

8. $7.3M---TE Jermaine Gresham (#10 TE), (-2.03M)

9. $4.9M---S Antoine Bethea (#27 S), (3.56M)

10. $3.5M---K Phil Dawson (#6 K), (3M)

11. $3.3M---DT Josh Mauro (#34 DT), (2.8M)

12. $2.8M---RB Adrian Peterson (#23 RB), (2.88M)

13. $2.1M---C A.Q. Shipley (#17 C), (1.75M)

Notes:
* Did you realize that the Cardinals are scheduled to pay 8 player Top 10 $$$ at their positions in 2018?

* When you look at where the players are salary-wise versus the top paid players at their positions, it becomes more difficult to justify the salaries, with the exception of OLB Chandler Jones.

Justifiable Salaries:

1. WR Larry Fitzgerald---legends deserve to be paid coming off another fabulous season.
2. OLB Chandler Jones---coming off best season as pro.
3. CB Patrick Peterson---talent is obvious.
4. S Antoine Bethea---coming off one of his best seasons.

Questionable Salaries:

1. Tryann Mathieu---coming off two mediocre seasons in a row. If Mathieu is on the roster on the first day of the 2018 league year he will earn a $5 million roster bonus and guarantee his entire 2018 salary and $8 million of his 2019 salary.
2. Jared Veldheer---may need a $2-3M adjustment, coming off solid season.
3. Mike iupati---will need to accept a significant pay cut and could be willing.
4. Deone Bucannon---two sub-par seasons in a row, not worthy of top ILB money. The Cardinals picked up the fifth year option on Bucannon for 2018. The one year $8.718 million contract is guaranteed for injury and will become fully guaranteed on the first day of the 2018 league year.
5. Jermaine Gresham---being paid as a top 10 TE is unfathomable.
6. Phil Dawson---might be worth the salary this time around.
7. Josh Mauro---coming off sub par season at a position where the team has depth.
8. Adrian Peterson---coming off neck injury, can he accept a secondary role?
9. A.Q. Shipley---his salary is reasonable if he remains a starter, but should the team get younger at C?

 

[devilalum]

I’m gonna go out on a limb here and guess that all those people in the insurance commercial that like sitting in gum, spilling coffee on themselves....... are Cardinal fans.


from phone

 

[oaken1]

1. $16.9M---WR Larry Fitzgerald (#2 highest paid WR in NFL behind Antonio Brown)

2. $15.5M---OLB Chandler Jones (#3 OLB)

3. $15.0M---CB Patrick Peterson (#4 CB)

4. $14.1M---S Tyrann Mathieu (#1 S)

5. $10.2M---T Jared Veldheer (#15 T)

6. $9.7M---G Mike Iupati (#8 G)

7. $8.7M---ILB Deone Bucannon (#7 ILB)

8. $7.3M---TE Jermaine Gresham (#10 TE)

9. $4.9M---S Antoine Bethea (#27 S)

10. $3.5M---K Phil Dawson (#6 K)

11. $3.3M---DT Josh Mauro (#34 DT)

12. $2.8M---RB Adrian Peterson (#23 RB)

13. $2.1M---C A.Q. Shipley (#17 C)

Notes:

* Did you realize that the Cardinals are scheduled to pay 8 player Top 10 $$$ at their positions in 2018?

* When you look at where the players are salary-wise versus the top paid players at their positions, it becomes more difficult to justify the salaries, with the exception of OLB Chandler Jones.

Justifiable Salaries:

1. WR Larry Fitzgerald---legends deserve to be paid coming off another fabulous season.
2. OLB Chandler Jones---coming off best season as pro.
3. CB Patrick Peterson---talent is obvious.
4. S Antoine Bethea---coming off one of his best seasons.

Questionable Salaries:

1. Tryann Mathieu---coming off two mediocre seasons in a row.
2. Jared Veldheer---may need a $2-3M adjustment, coming off solid season.
3. Mike iupati---will need to accept a significant pay cut and could be willing.
4. Deone Bucannon---two sub-par seasons in a row, not worthy of top ILB money.
5. Jermaine Gresham---being paid as a top 10 TE is unfathomable.
6. Phil Dawson---might be worth the salary this time around.
7. Josh Mauro---coming off sub par season at a position where the team has depth.
8. Adrian Peterson---coming off neck injury, can he accept a secondary role?
9. A.Q. Shipley---his salary is reasonable if he remains a starter, but should the team get younger at C?

we need to leave Veldheer alone. The dude signed here at a bargain rate,...we enjoyed having one of the cheapest LT's in the league... and last year he was still the best olineman on our roster. Paying him as the 15th OT in the league is still a fair deal..as there may not be 15 better than him.

If we want to jockey with his money we should extend him... maybe go three years $18-24mil with 12 guaranteed... when he signed for us he was cheap and he restructured for us last year... cutting him only saves about $6.75mil...and we cant likely replace him for that. definitely cant replace him and acquire extra cap space.

not to mention rumor has it way may be running a power run block scheme... in which case JV is exactly the kind of guy you want in your trenches.

Deone is a trap... if the new staff tries to move him back to safety he will be ruined... but can they develop him as a LB?... is that fifth year option already guaranteed?...or is it guaranteed on the first league day?... he may be an option for an extension if they think they can develop his LB play...something like five years $22mil with about $8mil guaranteed.... if not, Carolina has a cheap LB who is a free agent and we may just cut Deone and sign him instead.

our biggest albatross is the badger....cant pay a dude as #1 at his position when he produces at #20

we are in a tight spot this year with the cap because we have to replace whoever we cut. I mean,... we could cut Veldheer ...and then start someone like Wetzel or Holden but do we really want to do that? The object is to get better

 

[b8rtm8nn]

Funny to me, I don’t have a problem with any of these salaries. Can we do better? Sure. But so much so that you would rather save some bucks and find another player?

 

[gimpy]

What I've learned is, the one thing that is replaceable are people. Doesn't matter who you are, how much you make, how much they have invested in you, or how good you are. If the owner/management doesn't want you, for whatever reason (new boss in town?), you can and will be replaced.

It might not be the smartest, most logical, cheapest move or whatever. It just depends on what they want/think.

 

[Cards Czar]

we need to leave Veldheer alone. The dude signed here at a bargain rate,...we enjoyed having one of the cheapest LT's in the league... and last year he was still the best olineman on our roster. Paying him as the 15th OT in the league is still a fair deal..as there may not be 15 better than him.

If we want to jockey with his money we should extend him... maybe go three years $18-24mil with 12 guaranteed... when he signed for us he was cheap and he restructured for us last year... cutting him only saves about $6.75mil...and we cant likely replace him for that. definitely cant replace him and acquire extra cap space.

not to mention rumor has it way may be running a power run block scheme... in which case JV is exactly the kind of guy you want in your trenches.

Deone is a trap... if the new staff tries to move him back to safety he will be ruined... but can they develop him as a LB?... is that fifth year option already guaranteed?...or is it guaranteed on the first league day?... he may be an option for an extension if they think they can develop his LB play...something like five years $22mil with about $8mil guaranteed.... if not, Carolina has a cheap LB who is a free agent and we may just cut Deone and sign him instead.

The one year $8.718 million contract is guaranteed for injury and will become fully guaranteed on the first day of the 2018 league year.


our biggest albatross is the badger....cant pay a dude as #1 at his position when he produces at #20

we are in a tight spot this year with the cap because we have to replace whoever we cut. I mean,... we could cut Veldheer ...and then start someone like Wetzel or Holden but do we really want to do that? The object is to get better

 

[oaken1]

Thanks... I thought that is what it was. Dude is expecting an $8mil check this year... so if we extend him he will still want to see that check. But I think we can do it, get him his fat check and lower his cost to be more inline with his performance.
The guy isnt terrible he just has limitations in the role we have him in.

 

[juza76]

Can Valdeher be easily replaced ?no
Can Mathieu be replaced with a guy on the current roster?yes, budda Baker
Iupati can be replaced, injury prone, yes can be replaced
Mauro, irrelevant, u can find an UDFA at his place
Bucannon is difficult to evaluate, but I would keep him one season, contract year
cause If we cut him then we have 2 holes at the LB position and the third one is Reddick, a second year project player
With a different coach I want see if Gresham can be worth his contract, he had no chance with Arians