The Athletic's Doug Haller writes that the Arizona Cardinals don't have an obvious potential salary cap casualty on their roster this offseason with the fourth-most available cap space ($71.3 million), per Over The Cap, but safety Jalen Thompson could be a possibility. Thompson has been a starter for most of his six seasons and has been dependable, but he's also entering the final year of his current contract, and the Cardinals locked up Budda Baker last December. In addition, Arizona drafted Dadrion Taylor-Demerson in the fourth round in 2024. Releasing Thompson would save the Cardinals almost $6.6 million in cap space this year. The 26-year-old was pretty productive in 2024 in his sixth year in the NFL, recording 98 tackles (61 solo), three tackles for loss, three pass breakups and two fumble recoveries in 15 starts, but he didn't have an interception for the first time since 2020.
Cardinals Give Jalen Thompson A Contract Extension
The Arizona Cardinals signed safety Jalen Thompson to a contract extension on Friday that will run through the 2025 season. Financial terms of the deal were not disclosed. Thompson has emerged as one of the best young defenders on the roster while teaming with Pro Bowler Budda Baker. The 24-year-old played in all 17 regular season games (12 starts) in 2021 and recorded a career-high 121 tackles, three interceptions and four pass breakups. "I'm trying to go Pro Bowl this year," Thompson said. "Last year I feel I could've made it. Unfortunately I didn't. But (goals are) making the Pro Bowl, making my team better, being a leader, and getting to a Super Bowl."
Jalen Thompson Signs Four-Year Deal With Cardinals
The Arizona Cardinals signed safety Jalen Thompson (Washington State) to a four-year rookie contract this week. He was selected earlier in the month in the supplemental draft with a fifth-round pick, so the team surrenders two fifth-round picks in the 2020 NFL Draft to get him. "I know I can compete with these guys, hang with them at a high level," Thompson said. "But for the most part, it's getting the plays down and once I see it on the field and get through a couple of walkthroughs, I'm going to be fine. I know I will." He was ineligible for the 2019 season at Washington State after reportedly taking an unapproved over-the-counter supplement from a nutrition store. The Cardinals DST remains nothing more than a low-end No. 2 unit in most fantasy formats heading into 2019.
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