Free safety Kwamie Lassiter, designated by the Arizona Cardinals as a "franchise" free agent, has signed the one-year tender offer with the club and will resume negotiations on a long-term deal later this summer.

Lassiter, 32, is coming off his best NFL season, one in which the seven-year veteran had career highs in tackles (111), interceptions (nine) and passes defensed (15). He started in all 16 games and was the standout player in the Arizona secondary. Rather than possibly lose him in free agency, the Cardinals limited his mobility with the "franchise" tag.

By signing the one-year qualifying offer for a safety, Lassiter is guaranteed a one-year contract worth $3.342 million. The entire amount would be in base salary and he would not receive a signing bonus.

But after July 15, Lassiter and the Cardinals can negotiate a long-term contract. If the two sides are able to consummate a longer deal, the Cardinals will be able to then reclaim the "franchise" designation and use it on another player next spring, if they desired.

"It at least gets some of the (messiness) out of the way for now," Lassiter said. "The goal is still something longer than one year. I think the team feels the same way."

Lassiter is the fifth of the nine "franchise" players from this spring to agree to terms with their own teams. Offensive tackle Tarik Glenn (Indianapolis), strongside linebacker Jason Gildon (Pittsburgh) and kicker Adam Vinatieri (New England) all signed long-term deals. Offensive tackle Flozell Adams (Dallas), like Lassiter, signed the one-year tender.

Another of the "franchise" players, middle linebacker Jeremiah Trotter, had the label rescinded by the Philadelphia Eagles and subsequently signed with Washington.

Three "franchise" players -- Kansas City tight end Tony Gonzalez, Denver kicker Jason Elam and Seattle offensive tackle Walter Jones -- remain unsigned.

Lassiter signed with the Cardinals as an undrafted free agent in 1995. The former Kansas standout started only seven games in his first four seasons, and was primarily used as a "nickel" defender, but he moved into the starting lineup in 1999 and has been a fixture.

In his three seasons as a starter, Lassiter has averaged 102.7 tackles and has intercepted 12 passes.

For his career, Lassiter has started in 55 of 99 appearances. He has 425 tackles, four sacks, 22 interceptions and 40 passes defensed.

Len Pasquarelli is a senior writer for ESPN.com.