Cardinals general manager Rod Graves all but said Thursday that Arizona will place the franchise tag on defensive end Calais Campbell if the two sides don't agree to a long-term dedal before then.
"Calais will be with us, rest assured," Graves said, according to the team's official website. "We will continue to focus on getting a long-term deal in place and it's a process. But he will be an Arizona Cardinals player this year and we are hoping certainly to extend that to a long-term deal. Conversations are continuing with his agent."
After a career-high eight sacks, 72 tackles and two forced fumbles in his fourth season, Campbell is a high priority for the team's front office this offseason.
Teams can start using the franchise tag Feb. 20 and must apply it no later than March 5, a little more than a week before free agency.
