Earlier this year, when the Cardinals traded traded for standout defensive end Chandler Jones, many believed that Calais Campbell‘s time in Arizona was running short. Apparently, that might not be the case. Cardinals GM Steve Keim says that he is “hopeful” about reaching a new deal with Campbell, as Kyle Odegard of AZCardinals.com writes. 
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“Hopeful, but people ask all the time whether I think we’re close or we’re not. I don’t think it’s fair for us or the player to make a comment because, really, I don’t know what close is anymore. We’ll just continue to stay aggressive, though,” Keim said of talks with Campbell and Tyrann Mathieu. “That’s the one thing I’ve said earlier: Whether it’s signing players, whether it’s readjusting guys who need to be signed for extensions, we’ll continue to stay aggressive and try to keep our foot on the gas pedal.”
The defensive lineman is slated to carry a hefty $15.25MM cap number this year with a salary of $9.5MM. After the Cards selected Robert Nkemdiche and acquired Jones, many got the impression that there wouldn’t be plans to keep the University of Miami product for the long-term. After all, Jones is also slated to hit the open market after the 2016 season and Arizona may have to pay Jones an average annual value of $20MM on a multi-year deal.
Campbell, 30, earned his second-straight Pro Bowl nod in 2015. Last year, Campbell tallied 61 tackles, 5.0 sacks, and 3 pass deflections in the regular season.
Photo courtesy of USA Today Sports Images.