INDIANAPOLIS – Once the 2025 regular-season ended, the draft class of 2023 became eligible for contract extensions.
That put wide receiver Michael Wilson and left tackle Paris Johnson Jr. in play, although Tuesday at the NFL Scouting Combine, Cardinals general manager Monti Ossenfort wasn't saying either would happen for sure.
But Ossenfort did make clear both are in the future plans for the team.
"Everybody is in different situations," Ossenfort said. "Here is what I would say about Michael. Michael had an outstanding year for us. He's a great person. He works, he leads, and he produced on the field. Michael is about everything we want in our program to be about, and hopefully he is here for a long time."
Last season, it was the contract future of tight end Trey McBride that was discussion in Indianapolis and he went into the last year of his deal. McBride got his extension in early April.
Wilson exploded in production in 2025 after Jacoby Brissett replaced Kyler Murray at quarterback and with Marvin Harrison Jr. dealing with various injuries the second half of the season. Wilson, scheduled to make about $3.9 million in the final year of his contract in 2026, finished with 78 receptions for 1,006 yards and 7 touchdowns after having an 8-52-1 line through the first five games of the season.
Johnson is in a slightly different place because he was a first-round pick. (Wilson was chosen in the third round.) The Cardinals must decide by May to pick up Johnson's fifth-year option for the 2027 season, a choice that seems inevitable.
Johnson is due to make about $4.5M in 2026. His 2027 salary under the option would be approximately $20.5M.
"Paris got through Year 3, going into Year 4, excited where Paris is at," Ossenfort said. "He's done some really good things and there are some areas I know Paris wants to improve at. That's the great thing about Paris, he's focused on that and focused on continuing to ascend. We have some decision points with Paris coming.
"Love what Paris brings to the team, on the field, off the field. We want him to be a part of our program for a long time."
