Marquise Brown's Next Contract Could Make-or-Break WR Market

Arizona Cardinals WR Marquise Brown is next to be paid - and all eyes are on him to see what he gets.

Arizona Cardinals WR Marquise Brown will have the spotlight on him in 2023 - and he knows that. 

"I want to prove I could be the guy. I want to prove that as an offense, as a team, that we can be that team that we know we can be," said Brown. "I feel like everybody feels that way - from coaches to the players.

"I feel like I haven't played my best football yet. I've been working this whole offseason just to make sure I can sustain a healthy season and showcase my ability for a full season."

The upcoming slate of games will be important for Brown, as he'll have a fresh opportunity to cement himself as an undisputed WR1 in the desert after the departure of DeAndre Hopkins. 

Brown is also entering the final year of his rookie contract and is hoping to secure a bag - whether the Cardinals hand him that money or another team remains up in the air. 

Pro Football Focus says Brown's upcoming contract negotiation is the most important at the wide receiver position:

"Brown’s situation is both singularly interesting and perhaps indicative of the larger market at the position, depending upon where his deal ultimately lands. Brown is a low-end No. 1 option or elite second option, and we’ve seen the market contract a bit for that second tier after the explosion at the top of the market for the elite of the elite," wrote Brad Spielberger. 

"Will Arizona balk at bridging the gap between players such as Christian Kirk, Diontae Johnson and Mike Williams in the $18 million- to 20 million-per-year range and the top guys now earning $23 million to $27 million annually? Will the new regime of general manager Monti Ossenfort and head coach Jonathan Gannon buy into the sunk cost that is the first-round pick Arizona sent to Baltimore during last year’s draft for Brown’s services?

"Brown was very productive with his new club in 2022, landing in the top 10 for contested catches over the weeks he played and hauling in 15 explosive receptions. However, he’s earned receiving grades between 68.7 and 70.6 in four NFL seasons and is a tough valuation at the moment."

Brown is entering a new offensive scheme under first-year offensive coordinator Drew Petzing

"I'm loving it," said Brown on Arizona's new offense. "It's a lot different. A lot different. Big keys to attention to detail. Big keys on doing your job, being one of 11 to execute your job, and I feel like that's gonna put us in the right direction."

Especially with Kyler Murray's timetable for return still under question, there's some variables as to how much damage Brown can do in 2023, though a big year could help himself and fellow receivers on the open market moving forward. 

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