The Arizona Cardinals applied the transition tag to running back Kenyan Drake on Monday.
Drake, 26, would earn approximately $8.5 million under the transition tag in 2020.
He can still negotiate a contract with another team, but the transition tag gives Arizona the right of first refusal. If the Cardinals decline to match an offer, they would receive no compensation.
The Cardinals acquired Drake in a trade with the Miami Dolphins on Oct. 28, 2019, sending what turned out to be a fifth-round 2020 draft pick to the Dolphins.
Drake rushed for 643 yards and eight touchdowns in eight games with Arizona, adding 28 receptions for 171 yards.
“We’d love to have (Drake) back, he’s a perfect fit for our offense,” coach Kliff Kingsbury said at last month’s NFL Scouting Combine. “I think he understands that. But I understand the business side of things as well.”
Drafted in the third round out of Alabama by Miami in 2016, Drake has rushed for 2,175 yards and 17 touchdowns and added 144 catches for 1,107 yards and six scores in 62 games.
Drake is in position for a larger role in the Arizona offense in 2020 with the Cardinals reportedly trading veteran running back David Johnson to the Houston Texans on Monday for star wide receiver DeAndre Hopkins.