INDIANAPOLIS – Without much else to go on, it's easy for the social media posts of Kenyan Drake to cause a stir.
First was the switching of his Twitter avatar to a photo of him in a Cardinals uniform. Then came a tweet saying only, "Waiting for some new money man." Surely it was a plea as the running back's free agency approaches next month.
No, Drake explained in a follow-up tweet, it was instead literally waiting for the next song from the rapper Money Man, which came out soon after. It doesn't bring any more clarity to Drake's contract situation. The Cardinals want him back. But it'll be about the money, man.
"We'd love to have him back, he's a perfect fit for our offense," Cardinals coach Kliff Kingsbury said Tuesday at the NFL Scouting combine. "I think he understands that. But I understand the business side of things as well."
After injuries knocked both David Johnson and Chase Edmonds from the lineup last season, the Cardinals dealt a conditional draft pick for Drake, who proceeded to gain 643 yards rushing in eight games, averaging 5.2 yards a carry, making another 28 catches for 171 yards and scoring eight touchdowns.
The Cardinals knew it was a risk, taking on a player headed for free agency. Drake knew his situation too, frustrated after limited use in Miami with the Dolphins.
"He took full advantage of his opportunity," GM Steve Keim said.
Where that leaves the Cardinals – and Drake – is somewhat cloudy.
"He's certainly a guy we would like to have back but again not sure what the market is going to do," Keim said.
The market could include players like Tennessee's Derrick Henry and the Chargers' Melvin Gordon. It also might include recent running back outcomes – the struggles of Todd Gurley and David Johnson after big contract extensions, the good performances of a guy like Raheem Mostert of the 49ers, who had bounced around to seven teams – that cloud the issue.
Kingsbury praised the work of Edmonds and Johnson before each suffered their injuries – forcing the Drake acquisition – and said the Cardinals would be OK even if Drake did not return.
"Chase and David are both tremendous backs with unique skillsets which we will definitely be able to maximize," Kingsbury said.
Johnson is a "guy we still value," Keim said, and reiterated Drake was playing too well once he arrived to take him off the field. Given Johnson's contract situation, having him remain in Arizona might be the best option even if Drake stays.
"He's a guy who's shown he can do it," Keim said. "I think because of the success that Kenyan had, because of the success Chase had, I think that's something that will be a chip on his shoulder. He's going to want to come back and play well and again because of his skillset, he's such a big talented athlete, we certainly think he can jump back in and do some good things for us."
The Cardinals hope that Drake can also do more good things for them – assuming he can become his own money man.
"He seized the opportunity to have the majority of the carries and be the guy, and he took it and ran with it," Kingsbury said. "We'd love to have him back. We'll see where that goes."
As the NFL Scouting combine heats up, a look back at when current players were still NFL prospects
North Carolina State defensive lineman J.R. Sweezy runs a drill at the NFL football scouting combine in Indianapolis on Monday, Feb. 27, 2012.
Oklahoma quarterback Kyler Murray runs a drill at the NFL football scouting combine in Indianapolis, Saturday, March 2, 2019.
LSU defensive back Patrick Peterson runs a drill during the NFL football scouting combine in Indianapolis, Tuesday, March 1, 2011.
Georgia offensive lineman Lamont Gaillard during the Scouting Combine in Indianapolis on Friday, March. 1, 2019.
Washington defensive back Byron Murphy participates in a drill during the 2019 Scouting Combine in Indianapolis on Monday, March. 4, 2019.
Alabama defensive back Deionte Thompson during the Scouting Combine in Indianapolis on Monday, March. 4, 2019.
Iowa State wide receiver Hakeem Butler warms up during the NFL football scouting combine on Saturday, March 2, 2019 in Indianapolis.
Boston College defensive lineman Zach Allen runs a drill during the NFL football scouting combine, Sunday, March 3, 2019, in Indianapolis.
Washington defensive back Byron Murphy participates in a drill during the Scouting Combine in Indianapolis on Monday, March. 4, 2019.
Massachusetts wide receiver Andy Isabella runs a drill during the NFL football scouting combine, Saturday, March 2, 2019, in Indianapolis.
Boston College defensive lineman Zach Allen runs a drill at the NFL football scouting combine in Indianapolis, Sunday, March 3, 2019.
Oklahoma quarterback Kyler Murray watches during the NFL football scouting combine, Saturday, March 2, 2019, in Indianapolis.
Fresno State wide receiver KeeSean Johnson runs a drill at the NFL football scouting combine in Indianapolis, Saturday, March 2, 2019.
Morgan State offensive lineman Joshua Miles runs a drill during the NFL football scouting combine, Friday, March 1, 2019, in Indianapolis.
Georgia offensive lineman Lamont Gaillard warms up during the NFL football scouting combine on Friday, March 1, 2019 in Indianapolis.
Morgan State offensive lineman Joshua Miles runs a drill at the NFL football scouting combine in Indianapolis, Friday, March 1, 2019.
Massachusetts wide receiver Andy Isabella runs the 40-yard dash during the NFL football scouting combine, Saturday, March 2, 2019, in Indianapolis.
Iowa State wide receiver Hakeem Butler runs a drill at the NFL football scouting combine in Indianapolis, Saturday, March 2, 2019.
University of Oklahoma Sooners quarterback Kyler Murray laughs during a press conference at the NFL football scouting combine on Friday, March 1, 2019 in Indianapolis.
Texas A&M wide receiver Christian Kirk runs a drill at the NFL football scouting combine, Saturday, March 3, 2018, in Indianapolis.
Michigan offensive lineman Mason Cole runs a drill at the NFL football scouting combine in Indianapolis, Friday, March 2, 2018.
North Carolina State defensive lineman J.R. Sweezy runs a drill at the NFL football scouting combine in Indianapolis on Monday, Feb. 27, 2012.
Fordham running back Chase Edmonds competes in the bench press at the 2018 NFL football scouting combine Thursday, March 1, 2018, in Indianapolis.
Minnesota tight end Maxx Williams runs the 40 yard dash during the 2015 NFL Scouting Combine at Lucas Oil Stadium on Friday, February 20, 2015 in Indianapolis, IN.
Temple defensive end Haason Reddick runs a drill at the NFL football scouting combine Sunday, March 5, 2017, in Indianapolis.
Temple defensive end Haason Reddick runs a drill at the NFL football scouting combine Sunday, March 5, 2017, in Indianapolis.
Syracuse offensive lineman Justin Pugh runs a drill during the NFL football scouting combine in Indianapolis, Saturday, Feb. 23, 2013.
Washington defensive back Budda Baker watches a drill at the NFL football scouting combine Monday, March 6, 2017, in Indianapolis.
UCLA quarterback Brett Hundley throws a pass during the 2015 NFL Scouting Combine at Lucas Oil Stadium on Saturday, February 21, 2015 in Indianapolis, IN.
Southeastern Louisiana defensive back Robert Alford runs a drill at the NFL football scouting combine in Indianapolis, Tuesday, Feb. 26, 2013.
Minnesota tight end Maxx Williams runs a drill at the NFL football scouting combine in Indianapolis, Friday, Feb. 20, 2015.
Arizona State receiver D J Foster performs a drill at the NFL football scouting combine Saturday, Feb. 27, 2016, in Indianapolis.
South Carolina receiver Pharoh Cooper runs a drill at the NFL football scouting combine on Saturday, Feb. 27, 2016, in Indianapolis.
Northern Iowa running back David Johnson runs a drill at the NFL football scouting combine in Indianapolis, Saturday, Feb. 21, 2015.
Arizona State receiver D J Foster runs a drill at the NFL football scouting combine on Saturday, Feb. 27, 2016, in Indianapolis.
Alabama running back Kenyan Drake runs the 40 yard dash at the NFL football scouting combine, Friday, Feb. 26, 2016, in Indianapolis.
Alabama running back Kenyan Drake runs a drill at the NFL football scouting combine in Saturday, Feb. 27, 2016, in Indianapolis.
Northern Iowa running back David Johnson prepares to run the 40 yard dash during the 2015 NFL Scouting Combine at Lucas Oil Stadium on Saturday, February 21, 2015 in Indianapolis, IN.
Florida offensive lineman D.J. Humphries runs a drill at the NFL football scouting combine in Indianapolis, Friday, Feb. 20, 2015.
Texas linebacker Jordan Hicks runs the 40-yard dash at the NFL football scouting combine in Indianapolis, Sunday, Feb. 22, 2015.
Washington safety Budda Baker competes in the broad jump at the 2017 NFL football scouting combine Monday, March 6, 2017, in Indianapolis.
Fordham running back Chase Edmonds runs during a drill at the NFL football scouting combine on Friday, March 2, 2018 in Indianapolis.
South Carolina receiver Pharoh Cooper watches at the NFL football scouting combine on Saturday, Feb. 27, 2016, in Indianapolis.
Southeastern Louisiana defensive back Robert Alford runs the 40-yard dash at the 2013 NFL Scouting Combine at Lucas Oil Stadium in Indianapolis, on February 26, 2013.
Florida offensive lineman D.J. Humphries speaks with reporters during the 2015 NFL Scouting Combine at Lucas Oil Stadium on Wednesday, February 18, 2015 in Indianapolis, IN.
Syracuse defensive lineman Chandler Jones runs a drill at the NFL football scouting combine in Indianapolis, Monday, Feb. 27, 2012.
Texas A&M wide receiver Christian Kirk runs a route during the NFL football scouting combine on Saturday, March 3, 2018 in Indianapolis.
Kentucky's Corey Peters runs a drill at the NFL football scouting combine in Indianapolis, Monday, March 1, 2010.
Texas linebacker Jordan Hicks runs the 40 yard dash during the 2015 NFL Scouting Combine at Lucas Oil Stadium on Sunday, February 22, 2015 in Indianapolis, IN.
LSU defensive back Patrick Peterson runs a drill at the NFL football scouting combine in Indianapolis, Tuesday, March 1, 2011.
