It’s dance time: ASU vs. Syracuse tonight

Cardinals expected to sign QB, cut RB Peterson amid flurry of moves

The Cardinals vowed to enter this year’s free-agency period with multiple plans to fill their vacant quarterback position. Turns out, they needed only two. After missing out on Kirk Cousins, who chose the Vikings on Tuesday, the Cardinals quickly turned to former Vikings quarterback Sam Bradford, who will sign a one-year deal with an option year with Arizona in the next few days, pending a physical, according to NFL sources. Bradford’s deal is worth $20 million this year, $15 million of which is guaranteed, according to an ESPN report. He is scheduled to make $20 million in 2019 if the Cardinals exercise the option. The Cardinals are interested in also signing quarterback Mike Glennon, who is expected to be released by the Bears on Wednesday. Glennon would compete to be Bradford’s backup. Players cannot sign contracts until 1 p.m. on Wednesday, the first day of the 2018 league year.

It’s unclear where Bradford’s contract will put the Cardinals under the salary cap, because the team is busy making other moves. It released running back Adrian Peterson on Tuesday, freeing $2.9 million of space, and is making progress in restructuring the contract of safety Tyrann Mathieu, which would reduce his cap number of $14.1 million.

The team also announced it had extended a qualifying offer to defensive tackle Xavier Williams, a restricted free agent. Terms were not announced but it’s likely the lowest tender, $1.9 million.

The short-term structure of Bradford’s contract suggests the Cardinals will add a younger quarterback this spring, probably through the draft. If Bradford stays healthy and plays well, the Cardinals have him under contract for 2019. If he doesn’t, they can cut ties and move on.

Bradford, 30, was the first overall pick in the 2010 draft and has dealt with serious knee injuries through much of his career. He played in two games last season and underwent arthroscopic surgery last fall. The Vikings placed him on injured reserve in early November.

Bradford has played well when healthy in recent years. In 2016, his first year with the Vikings, he missed only one game, completed 72 percent of his passes with 20 touchdowns and five interceptions.

Bradford isn’t nearly so expensive as Cousins, whose three-year deal is worth around $86 million, according to the NFL Network.

Bradford has a reputation for being a good teammate and could serve as a capable mentor to a younger quarterback.

Like all players, Bradford must pass a physical before signing. Two weeks ago, Vikings coach Mike Zimmer characterized Bradford’s knee condition as “degenerative” but added that Bradford was feeling great.

Vikings tight end Kyle Rudolph told reporters last week that he and Bradford skied together in Jackson Hole, Wyo., in February.

Bradford is represented by Tom Condon, who was busy negotiating with the Cardinals on at least two fronts.

New deal for Mathieu?

Condon also represents Mathieu, whom the Cardinals have asked to take a pay cut. The Cardinals and Mathieu are making strides toward a restructured contract that would keep Mathieu in Arizona, according to a source.

Under his current contract, Mathieu is guaranteed $18 million if he’s on the roster on Wednesday afternoon. The Cardinals want Mathieu to agree to a pay cut before then, which would lower his cap number.

Mathieu wants to stay in Arizona and the Cardinals still value him, so it appears an agreement on a restructured contract can be reached.

Goodbye, Adrian

For two weeks last season, Peterson looked like the Cardinals' savior. On Tuesday, he became unemployed.

It’s possible Peterson could eventually re-sign for considerably less money, but he would also have to be content as the backup to David Johnson.

The Cardinals traded a sixth-round pick to the Saints for Peterson last October, a month after Johnson suffered a dislocated wrist.

Peterson made an immediate impression, rushing for 134 yards and scoring two touchdowns against the Buccaneers in his debut. Two weeks later, he rushed for 159 yards against the 49ers.

But Peterson was stuffed in his other four games with the team, gaining just 155 yards on 56 carries. He suffered a neck injury against Jacksonville in late November and missed the final five games of the season.

Smoke blows out

In other news, ESPN reported that former Cardinals receiver John Brown is expected to sign with the Ravens.

A Cardinals third-round pick in 2014, "Smoke" Brown played well in his first two seasons, catching 113 passes for 1,699 yards and 12 touchdowns.

But he was hampered by physical problems the past two years, including fatigue and muscle soreness related to sickle cell trait.

Brown suffered through a variety of muscle strains and pulls last year. He missed six games and caught just 21 passes for 299 yards and three touchdowns.