Cardinals wide receiver Michael Wilson got his long-awaited contract extension this week, keeping him under contract through the 2029 season. It is what he wanted.
“I want to be a centerpiece of trying to flip something,” Wilson said, via Darren Urban of the team website. “That’s way more gratifying and rewarding going through the dark days and tough times when you’ve lost bad games, when there is more Niner fans than Arizona fans [in the stands]. How cool would it be . . . when we are in the race of the playoffs or a playoff team or in the playoffs and being a centerpiece of turning the tides? That sense of loyalty, that just screams the type of player and person I want to be.
“I’ve got so much love for Arizona. Not even tied to the franchise, I could see myself living here the rest of my life.”
While letting his agent handle contract talks, Wilson wasn’t sure the deal would get done before the start of the season. A report Wednesday morning indicated a deal was unlikely, with Wilson set to enter free agency in March.
Wilson saw the report.
“Conversations happened, tides turned and things got done,” Wilson said. “I couldn’t even sleep [with excitement after the deal got done Wednesday night].”
Wilson caught 85 passes for 1,113 yards and seven touchdowns over his first two seasons. The Cardinals wide receiver had 78 receptions for 1,006 yards and seven touchdowns last season.
The team sees him as part of the foundation for the rebuild.
“His approach every single day, it’s just so consistent,” coach Mike LaFleur said. “It’s the meeting rooms, his attention to detail, just how he goes about his business. He’s the perfect example of, ‘Don’t mistake his kindness for weakness.’ This dude is a tough dude, and I’ve gotten to see a little bit more. I knew it, and I’ve seen it, but then you get to see it even a little bit more during competition.”
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