Tony Jefferson stood in front of his locker – for perhaps the last time – talking about his future as a scheduled unrestricted free agent.
“Of course I want to be here,” the safety said. “They know that.”
Jefferson isn’t the only one. The Cardinals have 19 players scheduled for unrestricted status (and another three restricted free agents), and many, not surprisingly, have expressed their desire to return. Defensive tackle Calais Campbell. Center A.Q. Shipley. Tight end Jermaine Gresham. Defensive tackle Frostee Rucker.
In his season-ending press conference, coach Bruce Arians sounded like a man who wanted to bring back a good number of free agents.