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Cardinals former 1st-round pick is top extension candidate for team

Originally posted on Burn City Sports
By Tanner Tortorella | Last updated May 25, 2025 5:29 PM ET

GLENDALE – The Arizona Cardinals spent big money to improve the defense for the 2025 season. Contracts thrown at Pro Bowlers like Josh Sweat and Calais Campbell to elevate the team’s season. General manager Monti Ossenfort made no significant additions to the offense, which could be a tatic to save money to sign a former first-round pick to a massive extension next offseason.

Offensive lineman Paris Johnson Jr. is entering the penultimate year of his contract and is eligible for a heft extension, which CBS Sports’ Tyler Sullivan believes he has earned.

Sullivan on Johnson’s production with Cardinals:

“The Cardinals will be able to extend Johnson in 2026. The former No. 6 overall pick in the 2023 NFL Draft has started all 31 of his career games played over his first two seasons, including 14 last season as Arizona’s blindside tackle. According to PFF’s metrics, Johnson graded as the No. 12 overall tackle in the NFL and was inside the top 30 as both a pass and run blocker. That’ll result in a chunk of money coming his way, provided he keeps it up in 2025.”

The Cardinals took a swing taking Johnson sixth overall in 2023 to be the blindside blocker for franchise quarterback Kyler Murray. His versatility to move from right tackle to left tackle has made Johnson a valuable piece to the offensive line. Since arriving in the Valley, the 24-year-old has been a constant professional and one of the most consistent lineman Arizona has had in years.

Johnson’s base salary for 2025 is $3.3 million, with a 4.35 signing bonus. If his PFF ranking is any indication of the value of Johnson’s contract, he’ll likely seek three-year extension worth from $55 to $60 million. Depending on his 2025 season, the value of Johnson’s extension could swing up or down. However, Ossenfort will likely try everything in his power to keep the former first-round pick in Arizona.

This article first appeared on Burn City Sports and was syndicated with permission.

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