Arizona Cardinals exercise option on star player before 2026 NFL draft

Johnson’s résumé doesn’t jump off the page at first glance, but durability and reliability are currency in the trenches. He’s started 43 games across three seasons, anchoring a unit that has struggled for cohesion. Even in 2025, when a knee injury limited him to 12 games, his absence underscored his value more than his presence ever could as pressure rates climbed, and offensive rhythm dipped.

This move isn’t just about one player. It’s about philosophical alignment. Championship teams from recent Super Bowl contenders to perennial playoff fixtures almost always feature top-tier offensive lines. Teams ranked in the top five in pass protection win significantly more games and sustain deeper postseason runs.

For Cardinals fans, this is a signal worth paying attention to. It suggests the front office understands that protecting the quarterback and establishing consistency up front is not optional; it’s essential. Arizona isn’t chasing quick fixes. By bringing back Paris Johnson Jr. now with picking up his fifth-year option, they’re laying the groundwork for something more sustainable, and potentially, more competitive down the line.