Cardinals defensive lineman Corey Peters signed a contract extension Friday.
As Corey Peters began to speak with the media Friday about his new three-year contract extension, the first questions came from a microphone-holding Larry Fitzgerald.
"What's going to be the first gift you get Genna?" Fitzgerald asked Peters in front of the cameras, referencing the defensive lineman's wife.
"I'm going to pay the mortgage, and I'm going to pay the light bill and probably keep food in the refrigerator," Peters said. "That's kind of what I'm providing."
It was the perfect answer for Peters, the low-key veteran who isn't going to get the spotlight or the headlines, but simply does his job well enough the Cardinals needed to keep him out of unrestricted free agency in March.
Peters, 29, hasn't played the last two games because of an ankle injury, and will miss Sunday's
game against the Rams. He said the sprain is now week-to-week, and wasn't sure what his status will be for the Titans next week.
When he has played has been one of the more underrated parts of the Cardinals' defense. His stats aren't eye-popping, with 25 tackles and a sack, but he anchors the middle of the line.
"We really miss him right now," coach Bruce Arians said. "He's been outstanding for us. A great leader and a heck of a player."
He said he didn't want to go anywhere, with the team and his agent negotiating the last three weeks or so. NFL Network reported that the deal is worth $12 million, with $7.25M in guarantees and a $2.75M signing bonus.
Peters is making $2.75 million this season. He signed a three-year free-agent deal with the Cardinals in 2015. He tore his Achilles in training camp that season, but rebounded to play well in 2016 and again this season.
Peters started to tear up a little bit when asked about the injury struggles he has had – he also tore his
Achilles when playing for Atlanta, meaning he twice has faced uphill rehabs in keeping his NFL career going.
"That stuff never really leaves your mind," Peters said.
He has talked about the mental lows he has faced to get to where he is in Arizona and this point, and multiple times mentioned how much he wanted stability.
"The system here is a perfect fit," Peters said. "I think I've been able to have some success. I really enjoy playing with the guys I'm playing with."
Along with a fan base and a city that he has come to love, "those are all things that made it easier for me to say yes."
Frostee Rucker is now the only defensive lineman scheduled to become an unrestricted free agent after the season.
Rucker was one of the handful of teammates – along with Fitzgerald – that gave Peters a round of applause in the locker room Thursday when they found out Peters' deal was near.
Fitzgerald didn't want to let Peters to get away too easily about potential goodies for Genna-Gabrielle, so he followed up by suggesting a car, or maybe some jewelry.
"We can talk about all that," Peters said. "Christmas is coming up. So we'll use (his player) Nike account and get her some nice stuff."
