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Cardinals contracts explained

Every figure is from cited public reporting, checked 2026-11-12.

Flagship contract · S

Budda Baker: Top cap hit, and the deadline came and went

1.1xFlat
2026 cap hit$19.2MPeak (2027)$20.9M
What's a backload score?

The biggest cap hit left on the deal divided by this season's cap hit, from one reported schedule. 1.0x is flat; 3x means the bill triples later. Restructures and void years push it up.

3-year, $54M extension (Dec 2024) through 2027. Reported as $30M guaranteed. It's actually $29.37M, with $17.445M fully guaranteed at signing. There is no guaranteed money in 2027.

Cap hits as reported by Cards Wire (Howard Balzer, Dec 20, 2024). Peak remaining $20.891M / 2026 $19.231M = 1.09x, which is flat. Last Word on Sports and PFR list $19.216M for 2026, a small discrepancy.

1.1x: his peak cap hit (2027, $20.9M) is 1.1 times his 2026 cap hit ($19.2M).

The GM view: A franchise legend on a flat deal with an easy exit in 2027.

Sources: Cards Wire (Howard Balzer), Dec 20, 2024 · NFL.com (Grant Gordon), citing Ian Rapoport, Dec 2024 · Arizona Sports (Alex Weiner), deadline recap, Nov 10, 2026

All 9 tracked deals

  1. Isaac SeumaloLG · The only multi-year free agent, and backloaded1.9x$6.85M in 2026

    3-year, $31.5M deal (March 2026) with $15M fully guaranteed at signing, including an $8.5M signing bonus.

    Cap hits as reported by Cards Wire (Howard Balzer, March 14, 2026). Peak remaining $13.1M / 2026 $6.853M = 1.91x, backloaded (1.3-2x).

    1.9x: his peak cap hit (2028, $13.1M) is 1.9 times his 2026 cap hit ($6.85M).

    • His hit nearly doubles from 2026 to 2028 (Cards Wire).

    The GM view: A sensible veteran guard signing with a 2027 exit.

    Sources: Cards Wire (Howard Balzer), March 14, 2026 · Pro Football Rumors (Connor Byrne), 'Offseason In Review: Arizona Cardinals', Aug 25, 2026

  2. Jeremiyah LoveRB · No. 3 pick, and the RB market's guarantee leader1.7x$9.64M in 2026

    4-year, $53,022,816 rookie deal (May 2026), fully guaranteed, with a $35,022,048 signing bonus and a fifth-year option.

    Cap hits as reported by Cards Wire (Howard Balzer, May 20, 2026). Peak remaining $16.871M (2029) / 2026 $9.641M = 1.75x, backloaded (1.3-2x).

    1.7x: his peak cap hit (2029, $16.9M) is 1.7 times his 2026 cap hit ($9.64M).

    • The guarantee figure conflicts: PFR says $53.9M, Cards Wire and LWOS say $53.02M.
    • Cards Wire: his 2026 hit ranked fourth on the team at signing, not counting Murray's dead money.

    The GM view: Draft-slot money at a low-leverage position on a rebuilding team.

    Sources: Cards Wire (Howard Balzer), May 20, 2026 · Pro Football Rumors (Connor Byrne), 'Offseason In Review: Arizona Cardinals', Aug 25, 2026 · Last Word on Sports (David Keech), Cardinals 2026 cap hits, Aug 9, 2026

  3. Josh SweatOLB · No guarantees left after this season1.4x$16.4M in 2026

    4-year, $76.4M deal (March 2025) with $41M guaranteed ($38M at signing). One void year is attached.

    Cap hits as reported by Cards Wire (Howard Balzer, March 19, 2025). The 2026 figure matches Last Word on Sports (Aug 9, 2026). Peak remaining $23.6M / 2026 $16.385M = 1.44x, backloaded (1.3-2x).

    1.4x: his peak cap hit (2027, $23.6M) is 1.4 times his 2026 cap hit ($16.4M).

    • Arizona made no moves on deadline day (Arizona Sports, Nov 10).

    The GM view: Fair price for a pass rusher, and Arizona can walk away in 2027.

    Sources: Cards Wire (Howard Balzer), March 19, 2025 · Pro Football Rumors (Connor Byrne), 'Offseason In Review: Arizona Cardinals', Aug 25, 2026 · Arizona Sports (Alex Weiner), deadline recap, Nov 10, 2026

  4. Budda BakerS · Top cap hit, and the deadline came and went1.1x$19.2M in 2026
  5. Trey McBrideTE · An option bonus kept 2026 cheapNo score$8.70M in 2026

    4-year, $76M extension (2025) through 2029. He was paid a $7.5M option bonus in March 2026. Last Word on Sports' guarantee table lists $32.5M at signing.

    2026 cap hit after the March 2026 option bonus, per Cards Wire (Jess Root, July 10, 2026). Last Word on Sports shows $8.701M. Cards Wire's Feb 27 profile listed $16.1M before the bonus was paid. Future hits aren't in reporting we can cite, so there is no score.

    No backload score: Year-by-year cap hits beyond 2026 are not yet reported in sources we can cite.

    • Cards Wire (July 10): about $3.01M of salary for 2026 on top of the $7.5M bonus.

    The GM view: Arizona's best player, on a deal that still looks cheap.

    Sources: Cards Wire (Jess Root) via Yahoo Sports, July 10, 2026 · Cards Wire (Jess Root) via Yahoo Sports, Feb 27, 2026 · Last Word on Sports (David Keech), Cardinals 2026 cap hits, Aug 9, 2026

  6. Paris Johnson Jr.LT · Option picked up, with a big extension aheadNo score$8.93M in 2026

    Rookie deal (2023, No. 6 pick). The fifth-year option for 2027 was exercised in April 2026. Last Word on Sports' guarantee table lists $28.05M at signing.

    2026 only, from Last Word on Sports (Aug 9, 2026). PFR shows $8.93MM. The option amount is in conflict ($19.07MM per PFR, $19.95M per Mike Garafolo/OTC projection via Arizona Sports), so 2027 isn't charted. No score.

    No backload score: Year-by-year cap hits beyond 2026 are not yet reported in sources we can cite.

    • Arizona Sports (April 16): the GM and head coach confirmed the option. He's been the line's most consistent starter since 2023.

    The GM view: Cheap in 2026, and his next deal will be a big one.

    Sources: Pro Football Rumors (Connor Byrne), 'Offseason In Review: Arizona Cardinals', Aug 25, 2026 · Arizona Sports (Tyler Drake), April 16, 2026 · Last Word on Sports (David Keech), Cardinals 2026 cap hits, Aug 9, 2026

  7. Baron BrowningOLB · Final year of a two-year betNo score$9.41M in 2026

    2-year, $15M deal (March 2025), worth up to $19M with incentives, with $10M guaranteed.

    2026 only, from Last Word on Sports (Aug 9, 2026). PFR shows $9.42MM. Cards Wire's March 2025 breakdown said $9.445M, a small discrepancy. One season left, so there is no score.

    No backload score: Year-by-year cap hits beyond 2026 are not yet reported in sources we can cite.

    • The deal ends after 2026.

    The GM view: A sizable cap hit for a rotational rusher in a contract year.

    Sources: Cards Wire (Howard Balzer), March 19, 2025 · Last Word on Sports (David Keech), Cardinals 2026 cap hits, Aug 9, 2026 · Pro Football Rumors (Connor Byrne), 'Offseason In Review: Arizona Cardinals', Aug 25, 2026

  8. Hjalte FroholdtC · Third two-year deal, and a raiseNo score2026 not reported

    2-year, $20M extension (Aug 2026) through 2028, with $13.25M fully guaranteed, including a $5.25M signing bonus and $4.25M of his $5.5M 2027 salary.

    No backload score: Year-by-year cap hits are not yet reported in sources we can cite.

    • Before the extension, his 2026 hit was almost $7.0M (Cards Wire, Aug 25).

    The GM view: A fair price for a durable center, and no guarantees in 2028.

    Sources: Pro Football Rumors (Adam La Rose), citing Cards Wire's Howard Balzer, Aug 29, 2026 · Cards Wire (Jess Root), Aug 25, 2026

  9. James ConnerRB · Took a pay cut to stay a sixth yearNo score$4.83M in 2026

    Final year of a 2-year, $19M extension (2024). In 2026 he accepted a pay cut to $3MM ($2.1MM guaranteed).

    2026 cap hit after the pay cut, per PFR (Connor Byrne, Aug 25, 2026). It's down from $9.83MM. Last Word on Sports (Aug 9) also lists $4.83M. One season, so there is no score.

    No backload score: Year-by-year cap hits beyond 2026 are not yet reported in sources we can cite.

    • The cut saves $5M of 2026 cap (PFR).

    The GM view: A $5M saving that keeps a respected veteran around behind Love.

    Sources: Pro Football Rumors (Connor Byrne), 'Offseason In Review: Arizona Cardinals', Aug 25, 2026 · Last Word on Sports (David Keech), Cardinals 2026 cap hits, Aug 9, 2026

Bars show each reported cap hit by year on one shared scale; the dark bar is 2026. Tap a deal for the full breakdown.

More contracts

  1. Michael WilsonWR$6.21M4 years leftCardinals On SI, Sep 5, 2026 (year-by-year, via OTC)
  2. Zaven CollinsEDGE$6.05M1 year leftLast Word on Sports, Aug 9, 2026 (Cardinals top cap hits)
  3. Gardner MinshewQB$5.69M1 year leftLast Word on Sports, Aug 9, 2026 (Cardinals top cap hits)
  4. Kendrick BourneWR$4.78M2 years leftCardinals Wire, Howard Balzer, Mar 11, 2026 (Allgeier, Lopez and Bourne cap charges)
  5. Mack Wilson Sr.LB$4.73M1 year leftLast Word on Sports, Aug 9, 2026 (Cardinals top cap hits)
  6. Walter Nolen IIIDT$4.40M3 years leftLast Word on Sports, Aug 9, 2026 (Cardinals top cap hits)
  7. Roy LopezDT$4.39M2 years leftCardinals Wire, Howard Balzer, Mar 11, 2026 (Allgeier, Lopez and Bourne cap charges)
  8. Tyler AllgeierRB$4.35M2 years leftCardinals Wire, Howard Balzer, Mar 11, 2026 (Allgeier, Lopez and Bourne cap charges)
  9. Darius RobinsonDL$3.78M2 years leftCardinals Wire, Howard Balzer, Jul 9, 2026
  10. Chad RylandK$1.85M1 year leftCardinals Wire, Howard Balzer, Mar 10, 2026
  11. L.J. CollierDL$1.74M1 year leftCardinals Wire, Howard Balzer, Mar 10, 2026
  12. Blake GillikinP$1.73M1 year leftCardinals Wire, Howard Balzer, Mar 15, 2026
  13. Garrett WilliamsCB—1 year leftCardinals Wire, Jess Root, Jul 17, 2026
  14. Max MeltonCB—2 years leftCardinals Wire, Jess Root, Jul 17, 2026
  15. Hunter LongTE—1 year leftCardinals Wire, Jess Root, Aug 30, 2026

The next deals by 2026 cap hit that don't have a full card yet. A dash means that figure has not been reported in a source we can cite. Each row links the reporting we used.

Cap terms in plain English

What is a cap hit?

The part of a contract that counts against the salary cap in one season: salary, plus the signing bonus spread evenly over the deal (up to five years), plus other bonuses. It is not the same as the cash paid that year.

What does "guaranteed" mean?

Money the player gets even if he is cut. "Fully guaranteed at signing" is the strongest kind. Other guarantees lock in on set dates, which is why reported totals for the same deal often differ.

What are void years?

Placeholder years added to the end of a deal so a bonus can be spread over more seasons, which lowers today's cap hit. The deal voids before those years are played, and any bonus not yet counted hits the cap at once as dead money.

What is dead money?

Cap charges for a player who is no longer on the team, usually signing bonus that had not been counted yet when he was cut or traded.

What is a restructure?

Turning salary into a signing bonus so it can be spread over later years. It frees cap room now and makes future cap hits bigger.

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Data note: every contract figure is hand-entered from the public reporting linked on its card (checked 2026-11-12). Figures are as reported on the date shown and change with restructures. Nothing is copied from cap-database tables.