Cardinals, Kerry Rhodes talking contract extension, according to report

A consistent performer at the back end of Arizona's defense since arriving via trade in 2010, veteran safety Kerry Rhodes and the Cardinals' organization are reportedly in discussions about a contract extension according to Mike Jurecki of XTRA 910.

The 30-year-old Rhodes ranks second on the team with four interceptions this season, and leads all defensive backs with 55 total tackles despite sitting out in Week 7 against Minnesota due to injury. He is currently under contract all the way through next season at $4.5 million, but it's quite clear that Arizona wants to assure that Rhodes and star cornerback Patrick Peterson are each around for the foreseeable future in the secondary.

In addition to being one of four Arizona players leading the squad with two forced fumbles at the moment, Rhodes narrowly ranks behind Peterson in total passes defended, 14-11. And while he has yet to ever make a Pro Bowl in his eight-year NFL career, Rhodes was tabbed as a near-unanimous All-Pro selection by numerous media outlets back with the Jets in 2006. Keeping him in a Cardinals uniform is no-brainer deal right now for Arizona's franchise, and it sounds like an official extension through 2015 may very well be on the horizon.

I'm hearing the Cards are discussing a two year contract extension w/ FS Kerry Rhodes, who's under contract thru 2013 @ 4.5 million.

— Mike Jurecki (@mikejurecki) December 17, 2012