The Cardinals may watch another one of their best young homegrown players walk away via free agency this offseason.
Kent Somers of the Arizona Republic passes along the surprising news that Arizona has shown “little interest” in re-signing receiver Steve Breaston to a new contract. The collective bargaining agreement doesn’t seem to be the issue here.
Somers says that the team either just doesn’t want to spend the money or has concerns about Breaston’s long term health. The fourth-year receiver tore his meniscus early in the season, and has played through pain much of the year. He saw his playing time limited against the Cowboys on Christmas.
Breaston put up over 1,700 yards combined between 2008-2009 as the team’s No. 3 receiver, and his 2010 production hasn’t fallen off much considering the team’s quarterback mess. He leads the team in yards-per-catch and has 692 yards. Somers believes letting Breaston walk could send a dangerous message to the rest of the team.
“No player worked harder to make himself relevant than did Breaston,” Somers wrote.
Breaston is going to get paid well whenever free agency starts. It’s looking more likely he won’t get paid by the Cardinals.