The two biggest long-term questions for the Cardinals when training camp opened in July played strong safety and running back.
Budda Baker and James Conner were among the players who were going into the last year of their contracts. There are a group of players like that every season. But rare is it that the guys who are inarguably the heart and soul for their respective sides of the ball would be in the same situation. More rare is that both such players would be looking for a third contract with a team, and that each would play some of the best football of their career.
Both sides had reasons to wonder about next steps. Baker and Conner could maybe find more money on the open market. GM Monti Ossenfort knew one will be 29 next year -- Baker -- and one will be 30 -- Conner.
But when you are building a roster based on work ethic and leadership, Baker and Conner are guys you want on the roster. In the locker room. When Ossenfort got a deal done with Conner, that provided an infusion of optimism from the fan base with the Cardinals' front office. The deal Tuesday night with Baker? Elation.
Ask the coaches and the same words are used to describe both players. Smart. Leaders. Jonathan Gannon talks about the need for "motor and violence." For that, Baker and Conner are poster children.
Ossenfort has also re-signed center Hjalte Froholdt, and there is still time -- and probability -- there will be more. The deals for Conner and Baker were fair but not back-breaking; if the original reported numbers are right ($18M average per year) it puts Baker in the top five but not at the top, a fair give-and-take for both sides.
The Cardinals are still in the playoff chase until and if they lose. They are there in large part because of the play of Baker and Conner. The roster isn't yet where Ossenfort wants it to be; that's the goal of this coming offseason. A team can't find its footing without the right foundation, and the Cardinals know they have that with Baker and Conner.
Contracts are about locking down the players who will make the tackle, or gain the first down. Sometimes, they are about more. That's what the Cardinals have done with their two key veterans.
