Arizona and quarterback Kurt Warner have not agreed to a contract extension, but the Cardinals have crossed an important barrier. Arizona is now offering more than $10 million a year to keep him, according to a source.
Warner, whose accurate arm and flair for the passing game helped carry the Cardinals to their first Super Bowl appearance, is hoping to land a contract offer that would reflect that he is a top-five quarterback. Top-five quarterbacks make between $14 million and $16 million a year. The Cardinals, according to a source, are believed to be offering between $10 million and $12 million a year.
Warner threw for 4,583 yards and 30 touchdowns last season, completing 401 of 598 passes (67.1 percent).
Both sides have until Thursday night to reach a deal or he will be an unrestricted free agent starting Friday.
John Clayton is a senior NFL writer for ESPN.com.