There has been a lot of talk in the last 24 hours about contract talks between the Arizona Cardinals and receiver Michael Wilson, who is coming off a 1,000-yard season. One report says a deal isn't likely, while says it could come in the next couple of days.
Wilson wants to be paid in line with the wide receiver market, and that is falling between $23 and $30 million per year.
A former Cardinals legend had some insight into the situation, offering a bit of a history lesson.
Former Cardinals safety Adrian Wilson chimed in on social media about the situation with Wilson.
I just want to add my two little cents in on the whole Michael Wilson and @AZCardinals trying to get an extension done. At the end of the day yes there is a right number for both
parties. When I say this I’m saying it with my whole chest.
— Adrian Wilson (@adrian_wilson24) September 3, 2026
He continued:
It sucks that ownership continually gets blamed for something not working. Look agents have a huge deal in this and let’s be honest the market is through the roof for wide receivers. Is Michael Wilson a #1 probably not. He’s a good solid steady player.
High value #2 that can compliment your #1 and for the @AZCardinals that’s Trey McBride right now not Marvin Harrison. The thought is that Marvin will present himself to be the guy and I’m rooting for him because the team needs his production.
You can’t pay Michael Wilson 20+ plus million while having thoughts about Marvin Harrison being your true #1 on the O/S. Just doesn’t make you feel good as a front office. No offense to Michael Wilson it’s just true.
It’s probably best they wait till after the season to see how it plays out.
Reminds me of Anquan Boldin and Larry Fitzgerald having contract conversations and at the end of the day Anquan was the freaking dude but Fitz had already resigned to a damn near fully guaranteed contract.
So what was the team to do if it couldn’t get to the number that Q wanted. It’s just so hard to juggle those numbers at one position. Same thing happened with Antrel Rolle and myself. He ended up going to the Giants because the numbers just didn’t align.
Don’t talk to me about Tee Higgins and Jamar Chase either because the defense suffered for having multiple high number players at one position. At the end of the day it has to be logical balance.
Also people are trying to keep their jobs as well so that plays a role too. Anyway, wasn’t trying to offend but I do have some experience in this area. Just my thoughts though.
For the Cardinals, paying him $20 million or more might not be wise, considering Harrison and McBride. But it also makes no sense for Wilson to take less than Christian Watson, when he did more last season than Watson has done in any season.
If Wilson has another big year, it might price him out of the Cardinals' budget, but then he will get even more s a free agent.
If a deal gets done, it will be interesting to see what the final numbers come to.
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This article originally appeared on Cards Wire: Michael Wilson contract: Arizona Cardinals legend weighs in on talks
