Four Arizona Cardinals players are set to see a bump in their paychecks in 2026, and it's all thanks to their hard work on the field. These players have earned the league's "proven performance" salary escalators, a reward for those not initially drafted in the first round but who shine through consistent play and recognition.
Here's how it works: Players can earn these escalators based on their participation in games. For those picked in the second round, playing in 60% of the team's snaps over two of their first three seasons-or averaging that over all three-qualifies them for a Level One escalator. For players taken in the third to seventh rounds, the threshold is 35%.
There's also a Level Two escalator, which comes into play if a player participates in at least 55% of the snaps in each of their first three seasons. The top tier, Level Three, is achieved if a player makes the Pro Bowl on the original ballot within their first three seasons.
Here's what these escalators mean in dollars: A Level One bump aligns a player's salary with that of a restricted free agent original-round tender, roughly $3.6 million. Level Two adds $250,000 to that, bringing the total to about $3.85 million. Level Three skyrockets a player's salary to the second-round restricted free agent tender, over $5.8 million.
Now, let's break down which Cardinals are cashing in:
Level One Escalators:
- CB Garrett Williams
- DL Dante Stills
- TE Elijah Higgins
These players will see their salaries rise to around $3.6 million in 2026. Stills and Higgins, in particular, were initially set to earn the league minimum of $1.145 million, making this a significant boost.
Level Two Escalator:
- WR Michael Wilson
Wilson steps into the next pay bracket, earning over $3.85 million. There's even chatter about a potential contract extension for him, reflecting his growing importance to the team.
Williams might start the season on injured reserve, but the rest of these players are expected to continue contributing significantly. Their hard work and dedication have paid off, quite literally, and it sets a promising tone for their future with the Cardinals.