Cardinals 2013 Salary Situation: Breaking Down Arizona's Current Cap Status

At the end of last season, it was hard envisioning the Arizona Cardinals getting under the salary cap by a substantial margin. They were in salary cap hell because of some overly inflated contracts that were signed by the previous regime. Yet, that didn't stop newly appointed general manager Steve Keim and head coach Bruce Arians from doing a little spring cleaning. 

Since being hired, they have released Stewart Bradley, William Gay, Beanie Wells and Adrian Wilson. Those four releases alone helped drop the Cardinals cap number to $109,580,441, according to Over the Cap. It's a far cry from where it sat just weeks ago. 

Let's break down where Arizona's cap number currently sits after a few free-agent moves.

Signings and Other Contract Moves

March 15

Released quarterback Kevin Kolb, according to Kent Somers of azcentral.com. The move creates $7.5 million in additional cap space, yet the Cardinals still owe Kolb $6 million in dead money.

Signed defensive end Matt Shaugnessy to a one-year deal. Financial terms of the agreement have not been disclosed at this time.

Signed cornerback Antoine Cason to a one-year deal worth $2 million. 

March 14

Signed linebacker Jasper Brinkley to a two-year deal. Financial terms of the agreement have not been disclosed at this time.

March 13

Signed Rashard Mendenhall to a one-year deal. Kent Somers of the Arizona Republic is reporting Mendenhall will make $2.5 million in salary, and he will have the opportunity to make another $1 million in incentives. 

Released safety Kerry Rhodes, according to Jason LaConfora of CBS Sports. The move frees up $6 million in cap space for 2013.

Signed linebacker Lorenzo Alexander to a three-year deal, according to Rich Campbell of The Washington Times. The contract is worth $9.5 million total, and $3 million in guaranteed money.

Signed quarterback Drew Stanton to a three-year deal, according to Daniel Jeremiah. Stanton’s deal with Cardinals is 3 years, $8.2 million, with $3 million guaranteed and up to $12M in incentives.

Signed safety Yeremiah Bell to a one-year deal, according to Manish Mehta of the New York Daily News. His base salary is $840,000, plus a $65,000 signing bonus.

Signed cornerback Jerraud Powers to a three-year deal per Adam Schefter. The contract is worth $10.5 million total with a $3 million signing bonus.

March 12

Signed Rashad Johnson to a three-year deal, according to Ian Rapoport of NFL.com. Financial terms of the agreement have not been disclosed at this time.

March 11

Released running back Beanie Wells, according to Kent Somers of the Arizona Republic. The move saves $1.157 million in salary, and they also avoid paying him a roster bonus of $1.3 million. 

Estimated Cap Space: $110,720,950 [March 21, 11:36 p.m. ET]