One of the oldest teams in professional football, dating back to 1920(!) when they were the Chicago Cardinals, the franchise traditionally has been mediocre to terrible for much of its history. And the same goes for a century’s worth of its quarterbacks.

Since relocating to Arizona from St. Louis, the team has had roughly once-a-decade dalliances with success, its fortunes rising and falling when it stumbles upon a decent passer.

This list does not take into account the men who suited up for the Cardinals in the Chicago and St. Louis eras. Even if it did, identifying 10 all-time greats wouldn’t be much easier.

10. Matt Leinart

Getty ImagesMatt Leinart in 2010.

• Years as a Cardinal: 2006-2009
• Awards & achievements: Numerous honors as one of USC’s best quarterback of all time.
• Iconic moment: In the 2008 offseason, Leinart was photographed partying with four women in a hot tub. Head coach Ken Whisenhunt said at the time he was “disappointed” in his third-year QB.

After 105 seasons of mostly heartbreak, Cardinals fans know not to get their hopes up too much about the quarterback. Not that they haven’t been optimistic about a few of them, though. Near the very top of that list is Matt Leinart, the former USC standout drafted No. 10 overall by the Cardinals in 2006. Leinart led USC to two national championships and picked up a Heisman Trophy for his efforts in 2004, so long-suffering Cardinals fans were more than a little excited about the idea of lighting it up in the NFL. When the Cardinals benched veteran Kurt Warner after Week 3, Leinart looked the part of a player who’d signed a six-year, $51 million deal, setting a rookie record with 405 yards passing in Week 6. That was as good as it got in the Matt Leinart era. His second season ended in Week 5 with a sack that knocked him out for the rest of the season, paving the way for Warner to retake the reins and lead the Cardinals to (almost) glory.

9. Tom Tupa

Getty ImagesTom Tupa in 1991.

• Years as a Cardinal: 1988-89, 1991
• Awards & achievements:
  • Super Bowl champ (2003)
  • First-team All-Pro (1999)
  • New England Patriots All-1990s Team
• Iconic moment: In Week 1 of the 1999 season, Tupa — then a full-time punter — was called into action when New York Jets QB Vinny Testaverde went down with an injury. Tupa went 6-of-10 with 2 TDs.

Tom Tupa makes this list in the interest of novelty. He wasn’t a particularly good quarterback — because he wasn’t really a quarterback in the first place. A longtime NFL punter, the then-Phoenix Cardinals put the ball in his hands for 13 starts across two seasons when the team was synonymous with futility. Tupa did surpass 2,000 yards passing in 11 starts in 1989, but he also tossed 13 interceptions against only 6 touchdowns. After the Cards moved on from Tupa after the 1991 season, the Indianapolis Colts tried to use him as a backup passer in 1992, but after that, he turned to punting full-time — along with the occasional trick play as a QB — and wound up having a successful career that lasted through the 2004 season.

8. John Skelton

Getty ImagesJohn Skelton in 2012.

• Years as a Cardinal: 2010-2012
• Awards & achievements: Numerous school records at Fordham University.
• Iconic moment: Led a game-winning drive on Christmas Day 2010 to beat the Dallas Cowboys 27-26.

John Skelton nudges his way on to this list based solely on his number of starts for the Cardinals: 17. Since the Cards moved to the desert in 1988, only four quarterbacks have more. Skelton will be best remembered as a placeholder between the team’s more successful Kurt Warner and Carson Palmer eras. A fifth-round pick by the Cards in 2010, Skelton was perfectly average (if we’re being charitable) in his 17 starts, though in 2011 he did manage a 5-2 record that was powered by a couple of 300-yard games. Still, his career touchdown-to-interception ratio (15-to-25) made it clear that Skelton would never be Arizona’s long-term solution at QB. His last start for the Cardinals was a dismal 58-0 whipping at the hands of the division rival Seattle Seahawks in December 2012. He racked up an atrocious 74 yards passing and tossed 4 INTs. It was his final regular-season appearance in the NFL.

7. Dave Krieg

Getty ImagesDave Krieg on Christmas Day 1995.

• Years as a Cardinal: 1995
• Awards & achievements:
  • 3-time Pro Bowler
  • Third most passing yards in Seahawks history
• Iconic moment: On December 2, 1984, Kreig set a Seahawks record with 5 touchdown passes in a single game, a 38-17 win over the Detroit Lions.

Dave Krieg was a good quarterback for many years, playing 19 seasons in the NFL, most notably as the longtime passer for the Seahawks. By the time he was signed by the Cardinals for the 1995 season, he was already 37 years old and well past his prime. Arizona was coming off an 8-8 season — which, by the franchise’s standards, qualified as a success — and was looking for veteran leadership until the next time they could draft a franchise QB. Krieg started all 16 games in 1995, passing for 3,553 yards (his best total since 1985) and 16 touchdowns (his most since 1989). However, he also led the league in interceptions with 21 and took a league-leading 53 sacks. The Cardinals wound up 4-12 on the season, their 18th full 16-game season in a row missing the postseason.

6. Boomer Esaison

Getty ImagesBoomer Esiason in 1996.

• Years as a Cardinal: 1996
• Awards & achievements:
  • NFL MVP (1988)
  • 4-time Pro Bowler
• Iconic moment: Esiason had one of the best passing performances in NFL history on November 10, 1996, throwing for 522 yards and 3 touchdowns in the Cardinals’ 37-34 overtime win against Washington.

Like Krieg before him, Norman “Boomer” Esiason already had a successful NFL run before joining the Cardinals in the twilight of his career, which included a trip to the 1989 Super Bowl with the Cincinnati Bengals. He makes the list because he was a great NFL quarterback — just not with the Cardinals. Esiason signed with the Cards in 1996 and started eight games in an injury-riddled season. He went 3-5 as the starter, amassing 2,293 yards and 11 touchdowns against 14 interceptions. He is notable in Cardinals history for being the team’s last in a carousel of passers before a two-decade stretch of relative stability at the position.

5. Neil Lomax

Getty ImagesNeil Lomax in 1988, the Cardinals’ first year in Arizona.

• Years as a Cardinal: 1981-1988 (one season in Arizona)
• Awards & achievements:
  • Two-time Pro Bowler
  • Led the league in passing yards (1987)
• Iconic moment: In the Cardinals’ final season in St. Louis, Lomax engineered a comeback for the ages, leading the team to a 31-28 win over the Los Angeles Rams. Lomax tossed 3 TDs as the Cards scored 25 points in the fourth quarter.

Neil Lomax makes the list because he spent his entire eight-year career with the Cardinals — even if only one of them was in the desert. Lomax, the No. 33 overall pick by the St. Louis Cardinals in 1981, played in 108 games for the franchise (second all-time behind Jim Hart in the 1960s and ’70s), leading it to one playoff appearance, in the strike-shortened 1982 season. Lomax’s first year in Arizona was also his last season in the league — and it wasn’t a disaster. In 14 starts, he threw for 3,395 yards and a positive touchdown-to-interception ratio (20-to-11). Lomax missed the 1989 season due to injury and called it a career at age 31 with lingering hip issues. But, with a 47-52-2 career record with the Cardinals, he legitimately can be called one of the franchise’s all-time greats.

4. Jake Plummer

Getty ImagesJake Plummer in 2001.

• Years as a Cardinal: 1997-2002
• Awards & achievements: Pro Bowler (2005)
• Iconic moment: Plummer threw for 465 yards and 3 touchdowns in a 35-28 loss to the Cowboys.

Jake “The Snake” Plummer was the team’s first homegrown hero in the desert-based Cardinals era. A native of Idaho, Plummer excelled at Arizona State University (where the Cardinals played their home games until moving to suburban Glendale in 2006) leading the Sun Devils to the Rose Bowl in 1996. The Cardinals drafted him No. 42 overall, and he took over the starting job in Week 8. The Cardinals were bad (4-12), but Plummer was good, finishing third in Offensive Rookie of the Year voting. In his second season, Plummer led Arizona to its first winning record (9-7) since 1984 and first playoff win since 1948, when they were the Chicago Cardinals. Success was fleeting, however. Even though Plummer was the starter for more seasons, the team never again sniffed the postseason with Plummer. Still, he’s third all-time on the team’s games-played and passing yardage lists (through October 13, 2024) and is fondly remembered for reviving (albeit briefly) a moribund franchise.

3. Kyler Murray

Getty ImagesKyler Murray in 2024.

• Years as a Cardinal: 2019-present
• Awards & achievements:
  • Heisman Trophy (2018)
  • Offensive Rookie of the Year (2019)
  • 2-time Pro Bowler
• Iconic moment: In Week 14 of the 2020 season, Murray threw for 406 yards in a win over the Philadelphia Eagles. He passed for 3 TDs and rushed for another.

After mostly fruitful runs with Kurt Warner and Carson Palmer, the Cardinals and their fans finally got intermittent tastes of success, setting up new expectations for the franchise. When they got the No. 1 pick in the 2019 draft after a bleak post-Palmer season in which they went 3-13, the Cardinals selected Kyler Murray, an electrifying star in college. Murray did not disappoint in his rookie season, winning Offensive Rookie of the Year after passing for 3,772 yards and 20 touchdowns against 12 interceptions. He also rushed for 544 yards and 4 touchdowns. Though the team went 5-10-1, it appeared the Cardinals had their first true franchise quarterback since Plummer in the 1990s.

After a strong Pro Bowl season in Year 2, he led the Cardinals to an 11-6 record and an ugly playoff loss to division rivals the Rams. The team rewarded Murray with a five-year, $251 million extension that will keep him under team control through 2028. The next two years were marked by injuries and a 6-13 record with Murray as the starter. Through October 13, 2024, the Cardinals were 2-4, with fans wondering whether they’d already seen the best Murray has to offer.

READ NEXT: Top 10 Candidates for NFL Offensive Rookie of the Year

2. Carson Palmer

Getty ImagesCarson Palmer in 2014.

• Years as a Cardinal: 2013-2017
• Awards & achievements:
  • 3-time Pro Bowler
  • Runner-up for league MVP (2015)
  • Arizona Cardinals Ring of Honor
• Iconic moment: Palmer threw for 349 yards and 3 touchdowns in the Cardinals’ 26-20 win over the Packers in the 2015 NFC divisional round. It was Palmer’s only postseason win of his career.

Palmer was already a 10-year veteran when the Cardinals dealt two sixth-round picks to the Raiders to acquire him in 2013. Expectations were low with a journeyman leading the offense, but Palmer orchestrated a 10-6 record in first year as a Cardinal. Dealing with injuries in Year 2, he won all six games he started but missed the second half of the season with a torn ACL. He came back healthy in 2015 to lead what might be the best Cardinals squad in the franchise’s history.

Palmer was a league MVP candidate (4,671 yards, 35 TDs, 11 INTs), and with a 13-3 record and first-round bye in the NFC playoffs, the Cardinals were legitimate Super Bowl contenders. After knocking off the Green Bay Packers in the divisional round, Palmer laid an egg in the NFC championship game, tossing 4 interceptions in a 49-15 blowout by the Carolina Panthers. He put up respectable numbers the following year, but the team missed the playoffs. An injury limited Palmer to only seven games in 2017, and he announced his retirement at the end of the season at age 37, but not before quarterbacking the team’s best three-season stretch in the desert.

1. Kurt Warner

Getty ImagesKurt Warner in 2005.

• Years as a Cardinal: 2005-2009
• Awards & achievements:
  • Pro Football Hall of Famer
  • Two-time NFL MVP (1999, 2001)
  • Super Bowl champ (2000)
  • One of only two players with 100 touchdown passes for two teams (Fran Tarkenton)

Warner led the St. Louis Rams (known as “The Greatest Show on Turf” that season) to the 2000 Super Bowl, where they beat the Tennessee Titans 23-16 on 414-yard, 2-touchdown performance.

One of football’s great feel-good stories, Warner was on the supposed tail end of his remarkable career when the Cardinals signed him in 2005 on a one-year deal, presumably as a placeholder until the next franchise QB arrived. The following season, he was benched in Week 4 for a rookie, first-round draft pick Matt Leinart, and it looked as though Warner’s Cinderella ride as a star had run its course.

However, in 2007, the Cardinals replaced Leinart with Warner and thus began a two-season stretch that culminated in Warner’s third career Super Bowl appearance. In 2008, at age 37, Warner passed for 4,583 yards and 30 touchdowns against 14 interceptions as the Cards went only 9-7 yet staged a postseason run in which Warner threw for over 1,000 yards and a record 11 touchdown passes. In the Super Bowl, against the Pittsburgh Steelers, Warner had a 377-yard, 3-touchdown performance that came up just short in the game’s closing seconds. He came back for one more go, leading the Cards back to the playoffs, where they come short in the divisional round against the New Orleans Saints. He retired a month later as the undeniable greatest quarterback in Cardinals history.

READ NEXT: The 10 Best Rams Quarterbacks of All Time, Ranked

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They’ve employed it throughout their historic, 7-2 start … and through 2 consecutive losses to drop them to 7-4 headed into Week 12.

That means they need to keep that “don’t flinch” mantra in mind when it comes to improving their offense, where they should sign free agent offensive tackle D.J. Humphries after NFL Network’s Ian Rapaport reported Humphries has been given the green light to return to football after he suffered a torn ACL while playing for the Arizona Cardinals in 2023.

“Former #AZCardinals Pro Bowl LT DJ Humphries, who is recovering from a torn ACL, has been medically cleared to return to play, source said,” Rapoport wrote on his official X account on November 22. “Humphries visited the #Giants earlier in the season and could be a key option in the event of a major injury.”

Depending on what the interest in Humphries is around the league, the Commanders could sign him to the practice squad, but he would be a deft insurance policy at left offensive tackle, where veteran Cornelius Lucas and rookie Brandon Coleman have gone back and forth as the starter all season.

Commanders’ OT Listed as ‘Biggest Weakness’

Lucas has made 5 starts in 2024 protecting the blind side of rookie quarterback and No. 2 overall pick Jayden Daniels. Lucas has only been a full-time starter for one season, in 2022 when he started 12 games for the Commanders.

Coleman was a third round pick (No. 67 overall) out of TCU in the 2024 NFL draft and has started 6 games and might be the long-term solution at the position.

Right now, however, the Commanders should do anything they can to improve their roster. Bleacher Report’s Matt Holder listed offensive tackle as one of the biggest weaknesses for the Commanders headed into Week 12.

“The Commanders have lost two in a row, but the real concern is how disjointed their offense appeared …,” Holder wrote on November 19. “The Eagles defense deserves credit, of course, but Jayden Daniels’ inability to find open receivers was a massive problem.”

Humphries Has Been Dominant During Career

Humphries was a Pro Bowler in 2021 and cashed in big with the Cardinals in Aug. 2022 with a 3-year, $51 million contract extension.

Humphries was a first-round pick (No. 24 overall) out of Florida in the 2015 NFL draft and played all 9 seasons in Arizona before he was released in March 2024.

He also has familiarity with the Commanders and their offense after playing for Washington offensive coordinator Kliff Kingsbury when he was the head coach for Arizona from 2019 to 2022.

“Expect teams to at least check in on his recovery between now and the start of training camp and to consider scooping him up if they aren’t thrilled with their left-tackle situations in camp,” Bleacher Report’s Kristopher Knox wrote in June 2024. “The Washington Commanders could show interest, as they’re likely to start either Cornelius Lucas — who was largely a backup in 2023 — or rookie third-round pick Brandon Coleman in Week 1. Humphries previously played under new Commanders offensive coordinator Kliff Kingsbury in Arizona.”

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If the Commanders want to build themselves into a franchise that competes year in and year out, general manager Adam Peters and head coach Dan Quinn will have to do it all again in 2025 — and they’ll have much more cache and resources when they do.

Bleacher Report’s Matt Holder predicts the Commanders will sign 3-time NFL All-Pro safety Budda Baker in free agency in 2025. Washington is projected to have an estimated $103.6 million in cap space, according to Spotrac, and should be able to make several big moves.

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It’s likely they won’t be able to do it without a little help, which might mean making a move before the Nov. 5 trade deadline and making sure that move includes an impact player.

While the 4-1 Commanders might be in the conversation to make a big move to obtain a player like Las Vegas Raiders wide receiver Davante Adams via trade, a more practical move might be in obtaining help on the defensive side of the ball in the form of a trade with the Arizona Cardinals for 3-time NFL All-Pro safety Budda Baker.

Baker is in the final year of a 4-year, $59 million contract extension he signed before the 2020 season and would cost the Commanders $7.1 million if they made a deal for him at the deadline.

“(Baker) remains a Top 20 safety in all of football according to PFF, so there will be plenty of interest from a football standpoint,” Spotrac’s Michael Ginnitti wrote on October 3. But his deadline salary is on the higher side for most contending teams to swallow. The Cardinals may be inclined to take on salary and buy themselves a draft pick as they continue to rebuild around Kyler Murray.”

Baker Longtime Subject of Trade Rumors

Baker was part of one of the greatest high school football teams of all time at Bellevue (Wash.) High School before staying close to home to play for the University of Washington, where he was an All-American and 2-time All-Pac-12 pick before the Cardinals selected him in the second round (No. 36 overall) of the 2017 NFL draft.

Baker has been one of the NFL’s best safeties for the better part of the last decade and a 3-time NFL All-Pro and 6-time Pro Bowler. He’s also been the subject of trade rumors for the last 2 years — since the Cardinals refused to give him a raise that made him one of the NFL’s highest-paid safeties and Baker responded by requesting a trade.

Baker made his 100th career start for the Cardinals in a Week 5 win over the San Francisco 49ers on October 6 and was nonchalant in addressing the trade speculation that constantly surrounds him.

“I don’t really see any of that (trade) type of stuff,” Baker told The Arizona Republic’s Bob McManaman before the 49ers game. “Me, I’m just focused on San Fran, just focused on the game ahead. If that happens, (general manager) Monti (Ossenfort) will hopefully let me know, but I don’t think it’s going to happen.”

Commanders Struggling to Defend the Pass

While the better move would be to add Adams via trade, if the mercurial wide receiver isn’t amenable to coming to Washington it’s still important to add a star player — something to show that internally and externally the franchise is ready to do what it takes (and spend money) to win.

Their secondary could still use some help. Through 5 games the Commanders have given up an NFL-leading 11 passing touchdowns.

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Brown, 6-foot-2 and 245 pounds transferred to Arizona State before the 2023 campaign and finished last season with a career-high 53 total tackles, 0.5 sacks, 1 interception and 1 pass breakup.

Before the 2023 season, Brown began his collegiate career at Washington State.

Pro Football Focus named Brown one of the premier linebackers available in the transfer portal, following the 2024 season.

“Brown’s 75.6 coverage grade over the past two seasons is a top-25 mark among Power Five linebackers.” Max Chadwick wrote for PFF. “The junior has allowed only 172 receiving yards in that span, the fifth fewest for Power Five linebackers.”

Developing a reputation for a strong nose for the football, Brown finished his five-year college career with 172 total tackles, to sacks, 10 tackles for loss, two interceptions, three pass breakups, and two fumble recoveries.

During Arizona State’s pro day, Brown posted an impressive 4.76-second 40-yard dash, put up 21 reps on the bench press, and logged a strong 7.25-second three-cone drill.

“I’m satisfied,” Brown told reporters following his workout in front of NFL coaches and scouts on campus. “I did the times I needed to do. I ran what I needed to run, and it’s here.”

Brown could be an intriguing addition to head coach Jonathan Gannon’s defense, which will look to improve on finishing the 2023 season with the third-fewest sacks in the NFL.

Travion Brown’s Law Enforcement Aspirations

Projected to be a possible Day-three selection in this year’s draft, Brown has at least one eye trained on life after football.

Brown’s long-term aspirations are to pursue a career in law enforcement. He even brought his K9 officer along for support during Arizona State’s pro day on campus.

“That’s on pause, this is the one and only thing right now,” Brown told reporters during the Aztecs’ pro day. “Once everything is done, I have a connection with (the department). They’re like family, so I talk to them all the time and I was just at their house two days ago. We were talking about the process. That’s like another family away from my family in California. It’s been a blessing. That process will be simple. I’ll have guidance and will maneuver wherever I need to be after football.”

Cardinals to Load Up on Pass Rush in NFL Draft?

If there’s one area that the Cardinals’ defense needs to bolster during the draft, it’s the pass rush.

Even if Arizona targets an elite receiver such as Ohio State’s Marvin Harrison Jr., or LSU’s Malik Nabers with the No. 4 overall selection, the Cardinals could round back and get a playmaking defender with their second first-round pick at No. 27 overall.

That’s exactly what happened in a recent mock draft projection from ESPN’s Mel Kiper Jr., with Penn State’s Chop Robinson emerging as Arizona’s second first-round pick.

“The 6-foot-3, 254-pound Robinson had an inconsistent 2023 season,” Kiper wrote. “But, I love his explosion off the ball and his closing speed after he makes a move. He pops on tape every time I watch Penn State from the past two seasons. … This is right around the range in which teams will take a chance on high-upside prospects, and that’s Robinson.”

Robinson spent his final two seasons at Penn State (after transferring from Maryland) and enters the NFL draft with 11.5 sacks and 20 tackles for loss in 30 games.

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“No, I don’t think so,”  Shanahan told reporters on Friday, December 1.

Ertz cleared waivers on Friday afternoon, and the Philadelphia Eagles may sign Ertz instead according to ESPN’s Adam Schefter. The former Stanford star began his NFL career with the Eagles and won a Super Bowl with the team in the 2017 season.

Philadelphia has a need at tight end before the Week 13 showdown with the 49ers. Eagles tight end Dallas Goedert remains questionable for the game.

San Francisco could have used a second quality tight end to pair with George Kittle. The 49ers star tight end has 46 receptions for 667 yards and five touchdowns this season, but San Francisco doesn’t have a consistent pass-catcher at tight end after Kittle.

Ertz has 27 catches for 187 yards and a touchdown this season for the Cardinals—all well below his output in recent years. He had 47 receptions for 406 yards and four touchdowns the year before with the Cardinals.

San Francisco could also sign Ertz as a free agent despite no waiver claim. Ertz had an $11 million cap hit from his Cardinals contract, a significant hit for any suitor on the waiver wire.

The 49ers or another team could sign Ertz at an affordable price. However, the Eagles look like contenders to snag Ertz based on Schefter’s report.

‘Almost Everything’ About the Eagles Keeps Kyle Shanahan up at Night

If Goedert doesn’t play for the Eagles on Sunday or the team doesn’t add Ertz, that hardly lessens the concern for Shanahan.

“Almost everything,” Shanahan said about what keeps him up at night when it comes to the Eagles. “A real good team. Really good offense. Really good defense. Really good special team. So, it goes back and forth.”

Philadelphia bounced the 49ers 31-7 from the NFC Championship Game last January, but that occurred when the 49ers lost quarterback Brock Purdy to an elbow injury early in the game.

1 Thing Feels Similar for Kyle Shanahan in Eagles Rematch

Shanahan and company have avoided comparisons between that NFC Championship game and the Week 13 one all week, but he acknowledged that preparation is feeling as good as the last time.

“Yes. I mean, very rare that we haven’t felt that way,” Shanahan said. “Especially I think then we were on a big win streak into the NFC Championship Game. So we felt the same way going to that game that they felt and probably as the two AFC teams felt.”

The Kansas City Chiefs and Buffalo Bills couldn’t beat the Eagles in the past two weeks, but both AFC powers pushed Philadelphia to the limit.

“Everyone’s real confident at that time. I think that’s what we made a big statement on,” Shanahan said about last season’s NFC Championship. “The one thing that was weird about that game is none of us had been in a game that you lost all your quarterbacks and that’s what was a little different. But, besides that we thought it would’ve been a real good game.”

“Doesn’t mean we would’ve done anything, but we were excited to play in it,” Shanahan added. “You go back and watch the tape, I love how we played. The intent of it, we were ready for it, but didn’t go the way we wanted it to.”

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“Okay, we’re interested in coming up to No. 5,” Ossenfort says on the phone.

Some important context before we detail the failed Cardinals-Seahawks draft night deal. Arizona initially struck a trade with the Houston moving down from No. 3 to No. 12.

The Cardinals then wanted to move up from No. 12 and targeted a deal with the Seahawks at No. 5 along with some of the teams behind Seattle. Ossenfort begins to hypothesize that Arizona would land No. 6 and send Detroit No. 12 and No. 34 (second rounder) with the Lions adding “something late” in the trade. The Seahawks were likely offered a similar deal with potentially a sweetener given Seattle was one pick ahead of Detroit.

“So, 12 to 6 for 12 and 34 for 6 and something late. See if he comes back,” Ossenfort processes the potential Lions’ offer with members of the Cardinals.

Check out the footage of the NFC West trade tails below.

Seahawks News: Seattle Turned Down Arizona’s Trade Offer to Move Up for the No. 5 Pick

Moments later, Ossenfort gets his answer from Seattle as the Seahawks opted to sit and pick at No. 5. Seattle ultimately selected cornerback Devon Witherspoon with the pick.

“Hey bud, how’s it looking?” Ossenfort asks.

“Yeah, I think we’re gonna pick,” an unspecified member of the Seahawks delivers the bad news to the Cardinals.

“You’re going to pick? Anything I can do?” Ossenfort presses.

“Appreciate the patience,” the Seahawks person relays to Ossenfort.

“Okay, thanks bud.” Ossenfort replied while hanging up.

The Arizona GM announces the news to the room, “Seattle’s picking.” Ultimately, the Cardinals finalized a deal with the Lions. Detroit received the No. 12, No. 34 and No. 168 picks in exchange for No. 6 and No. 81 going to Arizona.

Seattle Seahawks GM John Schneider on a Possible Trade: ‘We Had 2 Players Who Definitely Weren’t Gonna Leave For’

After the first round concluded, Schneider revealed the Seahawks had two players on their board they were committed to not trading back if the prospects remained available. As time would reveal, Witherspoon was one of these players bucking a Seattle trend of not taking cornerbacks early in the draft.

“No [not close to a deal], we had discussed several things,” Schneider explained during an April 28 press conference. “We had two players we definitely weren’t gonna leave for, and Devon was one of ’em.”

ESPN’s Brady Henderson noted that former Alabama standout pass rusher Will Anderson Jr. was likely the other player Seattle had high on their board. During exclusive pre-draft interviews with Heavy Sports, Anderson gushed about his meetings with the Seahawks, but the Texans took the star with the No. 3 pick.

“But in addition to concerns about Wilson’s foot and Carter’s makeup, the Seahawks didn’t have either player rated nearly as highly as Devon Witherspoon,” Henderson detailed on May 11. “With Will Anderson Jr. already gone and no real desire to take a quarterback that high, the Illinois cornerback was the easy choice.”

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Fortunately for the Patriots, it happened in Boston instead of Gillette Stadium in Foxborough. Hopkins, who doesn’t eat pork, didn’t like how his seafood order turned out at a Boston restaurant.

“I accidentally ate pork for the 1st time in 8 years because I ordered clam chowder in Boston,” Hopkins wrote via social media. “Somebody should’ve told me it’s bacon chowder.”

Threads

Patriots fans jumped on the commenting below, begging Hopkins to still come to New England. One fan posted a graphic of Hopkins in a Patriots uniform.

“Bill [Belichick] will take care of it for you,” one fan, n_casey2, wrote in the comments.

Hopkins’ abstinence from pork isn’t a dietary fancy. The five-time Pro Bowler promotes Beyond Meat, a food company that promotes a plant-based diet.

“It honestly changed my life. It changed my body and my performance. These have been the best seasons I’ve ever had. I would say my performance on the field was a direct result of what I did off the field, how I treated my body and what I put in my body – which was primarily Beyond Meat,” Hopkins shared via the company’s website.

A Patriots player embracing a plant-based diet wouldn’t be an anomaly if Hopkins signs with the team. Former Patriots quarterback Tom Brady famously embraced a primarily plant-based diet with his TB12 Method.

New England needs Hopkins as No. 1 receiver to boost third-year quarterback Mac Jones after a subpar 2022 season. Jones, a No. 15 NFL Draft pick in 2021, hasn’t come close to Brady’s stature yet, and the former Alabama star has limited talent to work with among the receiving corps.

JuJu Smith-Schuster has been dealing with a knee injury since last season. DeVante Parker recently agreed to a $33 million extension, but he regressed in 2022.

Kendrick Bourne likewise didn’t play up standards last season, and Tyquan Thornton‘s rookie season left much to be desired. Otherwise, the Patriots will look to rookie Demario Douglas and Kayshon Boutte to make an impact.

Patriots Had a Good Visit With DeAndre Hopkins, but Competition Remains

As for Hopkins, the visit with the Patriots went well overall, according to The Athletic’s Jeff Howe. Hopkins didn’t sign the contract that the Patriots offered, but the two parties have remained in contact according to ESPN’s Jeff Fowler.

New England still has competition for Hopkins. The Tennessee Titans likewise still have contact with Hopkins, according  to Fowler, since the team’s visit and contract offer.

The Kansas City Chiefs could also pursue Hopkins, Fowler reported. However, the Chiefs will need to clear salary cap space in order to afford Hopkins.

DeAndre Hopkins Likely to Wait Until Training Camp to Sign With a Team

With less than three weeks left before training camp, Hopkins could wait on signing with a team right before camp begins. NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport previously reported that as a realistic possibility for Hopkins.

Despite his continued production, the Arizona Cardinals released Hopkins on May 26 amid his previous $54 million contract with the team. Hopkins likely won’t receive a comparable contract according to NBC Sports Boston’s Phil Perry.

“I’m just telling you, there ain’t that much money out there,” Perry said. “DeAndre Hopkins is finding this out right now: He still hasn’t signed with anybody because the money isn’t there. Teams haven’t saved up to have as much money as you would need to pay a guy big bucks at this point in the calendar year.”

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Hopkins, who also received an offer from the Tennessee Titans, has yet to sign a new deal  since his May 26 release from the Arizona Cardinals. Russini reported that Hopkins will take his time.

“His sales job continues trying to get more teams interested at this point, because right now, we know that there are only two teams that have had DeAndre Hopkins come to their facility,” Russini said on “NFL Live” on Thursday, June 22.

“I was told by sources close to the situation that Hopkins is going over some of the offers from both of those teams, the Titans and the Patriots,” Russini added. “He’s mulling over and trying to come up with a decision with what he wants to do.”

Hopkins visited the Patriots and Titans last week, but he hasn’t visited another team since. The three-time All-Pro remains unsigned with almost five weeks left before training camps open in late July.

“I was told to be very patient here,” Russini continued regarding Hopkins’ timeframe. “This isn’t something that’s going to go down in the next 24 or 48 hours. It’s going to take some time for DeAndre Hopkins to come up with his final decision of where he wants to play.”

DeAndre Hopkins Has Vested Interest in Waiting

Hopkins waiting doesn’t come as a total surprise. ESPN’s Adam Schefter previously explained that there’s truly no rush for a free agent such as Hopkins to sign during the quietest period of the offseason.

“It’s been a flat market. It doesn’t sound like he’s in any rush to [sign] a deal,” Schefter said. “You don’t have to sign in the middle of June when you can wait until right before training camp.

“For all we know, some team suffers an injury, some team loses a receiver, the dynamics change and shift, and there could be more leverage at some point in time for DeAndre Hopkins,” Schefter added.

“So he can listen to Tennessee, he can listen to New England, he can see what they’re offering, but there’s no rush,” Schefter continued. “He can wait until a firmer offer from another team materializes. Doesn’t sound like he’s in a rush to do anything right now.”

For now, the Patriots at least have the benefit of a positive visit with Hopkins. ESPN’s Jeremy Fowler reported that Hopkins “gave the impression he’s certainly intrigued, interested in playing with New England.”

Bill Belichick, DeAndre Hopkins Visited at Length

Sports Illustrated’s Albert Breer noted that Hopkins visited with Patriots head coach Bill Belichick for a while during the visit. Hopkins and Belichick had a notable chat at a December 2022 game between the Patriots and Cardinals.

“But I think one thing that came across is this is going to have to be on Bill’s terms,” Breer said on 98.5 The Sports Hub’s “Toucher & Rich Podcast” last week. “And I think the fact that Bill and Hopkins spent one-on-one time at the end of the visit, tells me that those terms have been discussed.”

“And are Bill’s terms now getting closer to what Hopkins’ terms for going to a team would be? That to me is the question,” Breer added. “Because I still think money is a factor. If money was less of a factor, I think he’d be a Buffalo Bill or a Kansas City Chief now.”

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“What I’ve continued to hear from different people down there is that this is really gonna come down to Bill [Belichick],” Sports Illustrated’s Albert Breer said on the “Toucher & Rich” podcast on Friday, June 16. “And it’s sort of self-explanatory with everything here for the last 23 years.”

Hopkins visited the Patriots on Wednesday and Thursday but left without a signed contract. It marked his second free agency visit after a prior visit with the Tennessee Titans, which all came two weeks after his May 26 release from the Arizona Cardinals.

Belichick, the Patriots’ longtime head coach and general manager has been long-known to not spend big — even on Pro Bowl-caliber talent. Hall of Fame receiver Randy Moss only made north of $10 million once in his three full seasons with the Patriots in the 2000s.

Hopkins isn’t Moss, but Hopkins can produce at a high level amid 11,298 receiving yards and 76 touchdowns in his career. Whether or not Hopkins can land his Spotrac projected value of $23.2 million remains the question for the Patriots or any team.

“But I think one thing that came across is this is going to have to be on Bill’s terms,” Breer said. “And I think the fact that Bill and Hopkins spent one-on-one time [Thursday] at the end of the visit, tells me that those terms have been discussed.”

“And are Bill’s terms now getting closer to what Hopkins’ terms for going to a team would be? That to me is the question,” Breer added. “Because I still think money is a factor. If money was less of a factor, I think he’d be a Buffalo Bill or a Kansas City Chief now.”

The Chiefs won the Super Bowl in two of the past four seasons, and the Bills have been contenders in recent years.

Money vs. a Super Bowl Ring Question Lingers for DeAndre Hopkins

Hopkins notably teased interest in both the Chiefs and Bills over the Patriots in a video earlier this offseason.

Instead, Hopkins visited the Titans and Patriots — both teams that missed the playoffs in the 2022 season. However, Breer noted that Hopkins could choose the Chiefs closer to the season.

In addition, Hopkins was in contact with the Titans amid the Patriots visit according to Breer. The Titans notably offered Hopkins a contract before leaving Nashville, but he continued his search instead.

DeAndre Hopkins Still Not Part of the Patriots ‘Familia’

Hopkins teased his interest in the Patriots during the visit with an Instagram photo that featured himself and New England linebacker Matthew Judon. While five-time Pro Bowler used the phrase “La familia” on the photo, Judon indicated that Hopkins hasn’t joined the family yet.

“He still has that decision to make to where he wants to play,” Judon told J.P.  Smollins of WPRI on Thursday. “But he’s a very talented football player. Everything that he’s done in his career can’t be taken away from him. So, if he wants to join the team, we’ll love to have him. But if not, we’ve played him before — so we know how to guard him as well.”

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The star free wide receiver posted an Instagram story that showed him standing with Patriots linebacker Matthew Judon in the team locker room. Hopkins wrote ‘La familia’ for the post.

Judon notably tried to recruit Hopkins before, and the two bantered once on social media before the visit. Despite the online exchanges, Judon downplayed it all in person at minicamp this week.

“You’ve seen all you gonna get,” Judon told reporters on Tuesday, June 13. “I don’t run my Twitter, so I don’t know who be tweeting most of the time. So, that’s what I got for y’all.”

Hopkins made the Patriots his second free agency visit since the Arizona Cardinals released the five-time Pro Bowler on May 26. He first visited the Tennessee Titans earlier this week.

DeAndre Hopkins, Patriots Have ‘Productive Visit’

The Athletic’s Jeff Howe described Hopkins’ visit as “productive” though it did not result in a deal. Tennessee notably offered Hopkins a contract according to Pro Football Talk’s Mike Florio, but Hopkins continued his search.

“WR DeAndre Hopkins and the Patriots have had a productive visit, according to a source,” Howe wrote via Twitter. “No deal at the moment, but there’s still a level of optimism the two sides could reach an agreement.”

The Patriots are making a push for Hopkins, per source. He has departed Gillette Stadium but is still local,” Howe added.

Howe isn’t alone on the positivity between Hopkins and the Patriots. MassLive’s Mark Daniels reported that “that visit between the two parties has been positive on both sides” via a league source.

Patriots’ Waiting Game With DeAndre Hopkins Kicks Off

NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport called it “interesting” how long Hopkins’ visit with the Patriots lasted. However, Rapoport noted that “it makes sense to wait” for the right deal on Hopkins’ end.

In addition, ESPN’s Jeremy Fowler reported that Hopkins is in no hurry, which ESPN Patriots insider Mike Reiss wrote about. Reiss also confirmed, via a source, that “both sides are now expected to take some time to assess their next steps” going forward.

Hopkins also “has considered waiting until closer to training camp in late July to make a move”, Reiss wrote, based on Fowler’s report. Rapoport previously noted that “even early into training camp” makes sense because of teams’ changing needs.

“It makes sense if you’re a veteran player who maybe doesn’t necessarily need to go to training camp like the rest of us do,” Rapoport added. “Waiting makes sense. So, I think for DeAndre Hopkins, get all the information you possibly can today and tomorrow, and maybe sit back a little bit and consider your options.”

Hopkins’ visit with the Patriots began “early in the morning and well into the afternoon”, Reiss wrote based on Fowler’s report. Hopkins notably “appeared intrigued” about playing for the Patriots and six-time Super Bowl winning head coach Bill Belichick, Reiss also wrote regarding Fowler’s report.

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Well, that has been the widely-believed theory behind Fangio’s surprise decision to spurn the Eagles and take the same job in Miami. Fangio, who served on Nick Sirianni’s staff as a consultant in 2022, was beloved by the Eagles’ organization. He had a bevy of connections and ties to the staff which made him the logical choice to replace Jonathan Gannon.

Then, boom, like a John Madden highlight, Fangio was out of the picture. The 64-year-old defensive mastermind briefly addressed the situation on June 8 at Dolphins OTAs without breaking character. What he didn’t say spoke volumes.

“That’s possible,” Fangio told Pro Football Network’s Adam Beasley. “But I will neither confirm nor deny that.”

It stands to reason that Fangio knew about the tampering investigation and didn’t want his name dragged into a dirty situation. The Arizona Cardinals had improperly pursued Gannon before hiring him as head coach, a violation known in the NFL as “impermissible contact.” They were penalized for it. Meanwhile, Fangio shifted gears and took the Miami gig.

“It’s a mistake that we made,” Gannon told reporters, “and the league rectified it and we’ve moved on.”

Cardinals Reached Out to Gannon After NFC Championship

The infraction resulted after Cardinals general manager Monti Ossenfort called Gannon after the NFC Championship to congratulate him. Ossenfort also asked Gannon if he might be interested in the Cardinals’ job if it was still open after the Super Bowl. That is strictly prohibited by NFL rules. Darren Urban explained why for the Cardinals’ website:

NFL rules prohibit teams from talking to coaching candidates still in the playoffs unless an initial interview had taken place early in the postseason. Ossenfort was not hired by the Cardinals until after that first window had closed.

The Cardinals self-reported the incident, the joint statement between the teams said. The Cardinals gave third third-round pick (No. 66) to Philadelphia and the Eagles sent back a third-round pick (No. 94) as well as a 2024 fifth-round pick.

ESPN’s Adam Schefter added fuel to the fire when he opined that Fangio was on his way to Philadelphia before the tampering investigation hit. Gannon’s mess allegedly forced the Eagles to move on and hire Sean Desai as defensive coordinator.

“The interesting part about it would be this, I think it impacted a lot of people’s lives,” Schefter told the John Kincade Show. “Vic Fangio, for example, probably would not have taken the Dolphins defensive coordinator job and would be the defensive coordinator in Philadelphia today if everything was on the up and up.”

Mike Florio Grilled Howie Roseman About Tampering

NBC Sports’ Mike Florio has been the leading conspiracy theorist for the Cardinals-Eagles tampering fiasco. He recently pressed Eagles general manager Howie Roseman about what happened and why. He believes the Eagles may have voiced a complaint about tampering, although the on-the-record reports claim the Cardinals “self-reported” the infraction. Roseman didn’t take the bait.

“Again, I don’t want to get into any details but I’m saying there are answers for some of your conspiratorial theories,” Roseman said, via Philly Sports Network. “Is that the word? Conspiratorial theories.”

And it doesn’t really matter at this point. Tampering happened. Draft picks were swapped. Case closed.

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As DeMeco Ryans, Frank Reich and Shane Steichen potentially start quarterbacks selected at the top of the 2023 draft, Sean Payton and Jonathan Gannon will look to lead drastic turnarounds with veteran quarterbacks.

Which head coach will orchestrate the quickest turnaround? Who has the best chance to transform a bottom-dweller into a surprise contender? Discover how this year’s head coaching hires stack up, with insight from executives across the NFL.

5. Jonathan Gannon, Arizona Cardinals

Not to put an expiration date on his tenure before it even begins, but Gannon has the best chance to be one-and-done.

The Philadelphia Eagles‘ defensive collapse in the second half of the Super Bowl left much to be desired, as did Gannon for skirting accountability when asked by reporters at the NFL combine about what happened in that game. Meanwhile, the Arizona Cardinals might boast the least-talented roster in the league.

Turning around the Cardinals in one season, in a division that houses two contenders, the Seattle Seahawks and San Francisco 49ers, as well as a Los Angeles Rams team that should rebound, would be a difficult task under the best of circumstances. But Gannon’s play-calling flaws were exposed by the Chiefs, and it remains unclear whether he has the temperament to be a successful NFL head coach.

4. Frank Reich, Carolina Panthers

Frank Reich, who was abruptly let go by the Indianapolis Colts last season, now finds himself in Carolina with a golden chance to develop a hand-picked young quarterback, Bryce Young. It marks his first opportunity to mold a potential franchise quarterback since his stint as Carson Wentz‘s offensive coordinator in Philadelphia from 2016 to 2017.

“The NFC South is wide open, so Frank will probably do pretty well,” an AFC personnel executive told Heavy. “Frank is the definition of a pro’s pro. His key will be Bryce Young and his ability to stay on the field. I worry that Bryce is going to get killed — like, smashed.”

Concerns about Young’s 5-foot-10 and 194-pound frame aside, Reich gets to oversee an offense that features dynamic dual-threat running back Miles Sanders along with reliable pass catchers Adam Thielen and tight end Hayden Hurst. Reich’s experience, play-calling prowess and track record for being a quarterback whisperer give him the chance to see immediate success.

3. Shane Steichen, Indianapolis Colts

Steichen was viewed as one of the most coveted head coaching candidates — and for good reason.

Steichen molded Eagles quarterback Jalen Hurts into a legitimate MVP candidate while overseeing a balanced offense that featured dynamic deep-threat receivers A.J. Brown and DeVonta Smith yet also finished with the NFL’s fifth-ranked rushing offense.

Now in Indianapolis, Steichen has the chance to work with one of the most gifted quarterback prospects in recent years, Anthony Richardson. If Steichen can tap into Richardson’s immense potential — following the path of Hurts and the Los Angeles Chargers’ Justin Herbert — the Colts will be in phenomenal shape for 2023 and beyond.

2. DeMeco Ryans, Houston Texans

If DeMeco Ryans is anything, he’s a culture driver and one of the brightest defensive minds currently in the sport.

“It’s an easy choice for me,” an AFC scouting director told Heavy. “It’s DeMeco Ryans. They’ve upgraded the talent on that roster significantly, and they finally have a head coach with sustainability.”

An NFC personnel executive echoed those sentiments, citing the Houston Texans‘ easy road in the AFC South as a potential driving force for Ryans to orchestrate a quick turnaround.

Ryans arrives in Houston after leading the 49ers’ top-ranked defense last season. The Texans made bold moves by adding the most highly regarded defensive prospect of this year’s class, Will Anderson, and potential franchise quarterback C.J. Stroud with consecutive picks. While winning the AFC South might be a tall order this season, Houston has assembled a talented and youthful roster that could pose a significant challenge to the Jacksonville Jaguars in 2023.

1. Sean Payton, Denver Broncos

The Denver Broncos‘ new ownership group made a big splash, luring Sean Payton out of the television studio and coming away with the prize of this year’s hiring cycle.

“Hands down, it’s Sean Payton,” an NFC personnel executive told Heavy when asked his choice for the coach who will make the biggest immediate impact. “Sean’s a proven winner, has a veteran quarterback and [has] a damn good defense.”

Payton, who arrives in the Mile High City with a Super Bowl ring on his finger and the 2006 Coach of the Year award in tow, inherits Super Bowl-winning quarterback Russell Wilson and a defense built around Pro Bowl cornerback Pat Surtain and All-Pro safety Justin Simmons.

If Payton can engineer a significant turnaround for Wilson after the most disappointing season of his career, the Broncos will have a puncher’s chance in the loaded AFC.

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The five-time Pro Bowl wide receiver teased a Patriots’ highlight clip from the 2017 Super Bowl win, which featured former quarterback Tom Brady. Hopkins eventually deleted his Instagram video from a gym, according to NESN’s Zack Cox, who caught the video on Monday.

New England had been linked to Hopkins and trade and free agency rumors this offseason. The Arizona Cardinals released Hopkins on May 26.

“The brief snippet of Tom Brady tossing a touchdown pass to James White could be completely unrelated to Hopkins’ plans for free agency, but it caused a stir among Patriots fans hoping to see the five-time Pro Bowler sign with New England,” Cox wrote.

New England Needs DeAndre Hopkins

The Patriots need another top receiver amid the departure of Jakobi Meyers and addition of JuJu Smith-Schuster this offseason. New England doesn’t have Pro Bowl-caliber talent at receiver after Smith-Schuster.

Patriots quarterback Mac Jones has a subpar season in 2022, and the offense could use a boost with a player of Hopkins’ stature. Head coach Bill Belichick needs to turn around the offense this year, or it could cost him his job.

Belichick notably showed interest in Hopkins last season amid an exchange when the Patriots played the Cardinals in December 2022. That interest might be mutual amid Hopkins’ admission of the Patriots rumors.

DeAndre Hopkins’ Hints on a Destination Vary

Hopkins described criteria for his next destination on the “I AM  ATHLETE” podcast, and it largely matched Patriots qualities. He wants “stable management”, a quality defense, and he noted that he doesn’t need a superstar quarterback.

New England has long-term stability with Belichick and owner Robert Kraft. The Patriots had a top-10 defense last season, and Jones clearly didn’t look like a top-10 quarterback last season.

However, Hopkins wants to win, and he previously hinted at more interest in AFC contenders Buffalo and Kansas City in a video appearance. Nick Shook of NFL.com named the Bills and Chiefs as two of the best fits for Hopkins.

Perceived Rift Between DeAndre Hopkins and Bill O’Brien in Question

Shook also noted that Patriots offensive coordinator Bill O’Brien could be an obstacle for Hopkins joining the team. Hopkins previously told Sports Illustrated “there was no relationship” between them in Houston from 2014 to 2020 amid a trade.

O’Brien, the Texans head coach at the time, sent Hopkins to the Cardinals after six seasons of working together. Things didn’t work out for O’Brien in Houston for 2020, and he re-joined the Patriots in March after a year stint as the offensive coordinator with Alabama.

One former Texans staff member from that year, wide receivers coach John Perry, believes the two could work together again. Perry worked with both O’Brien and Hopkins from 2017 to 2020.

“I think adult relationships are always complicated no matter what you do. But the thing is when you look at DeAndre Hopkins and his relationship with Coach O’Brien, both of them brought out the best in each other,” Perry said via MassLive.com’s Mark Daniels. “I still have a strong relationship with coach (O’Brien) and with DeAndre. He and I speak all the time.

“I know they would easily be able to work together again because they’re both professionals and both want the same thing, which is just to play at a high level and give their team the best opportunity to win.”

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The Cardinals released the five-time Pro Bowl wide receivers on Friday, May 26. Hopkins had been linked to trade rumors with the Patriots this offseason before the surprising release.

“I wouldn’t rule out the New England Patriots,” a league source told Heavy’s Matt Lombardo. “They aren’t out of the question. But, he would be an ideal fit with either of the New York teams.”

Hopkins won’t cost the Patriots any of his two-year $54.4 million deal with his former team. The Patriots have $11.79 million in salary cap space to work with.

Patriots Get Better in a Hurry With DeAndre Hopkins

Adding him to the lineup would give the Patriots No. 1 receiver to work with quarterback Mac Jones as the offense looks to get back on track. New England’s offense struggled in 2022 with 21.4 points per game.

“That dude is still legit,” an NFC Personnel Executive told Lombardo. “He’s going to be a hot item now that he’s available. Just phenomenal hands, damn good size, and lots of experience. He just needs to prove he can stay healthy, to make signing him worth it.”

Hopkins caught 64 passes for 717 yards and three touchdowns in nine games played for 2022. He missed time because of a performance-enhancing drug violation last year.

Due to injuries in 2021 where he played 10 games, Hopkins last played a full season in 2020. He lit things up for the Cardinals that year with 1,407 yards and six touchdowns, but he also had 42 catches for 572 yards and eight scores in 2021.

DeAndre Hopkins Hints at Interest in Patriots

Hopkins could have interest in the Patriots as he acknowledged the prior trade rumors during the “I AM ATHLETE” podcast this week.

“Obviously, of course I’ve heard a lot of rumors of people calling,” Hopkins said on the podcast. “I would definitely say the Patriots were one of the teams. Obviously, I would say the [Buffalo] Bills were one of those teams that I heard.”

“I didn’t have direct conversations, but seeing what’s on Twitter, what’s on Instagram, you’ve got to pay attention to some of those things,” Hopkins added. “Really, those are the only two teams that I paid attention to that I was like, ‘All right, let me see if social media’s right.’”

Hopkins’ descriptions of what he wants and needs also reflect the Patriots’ trends and current state. He emphasized “stable management” as one area, and he said that “I don’t need a great QB” to throw the ball.

New England has a steady presence at the top with owner Robert Kraft and general manager/head coach Bill Belichick for two decades and running. Jones and potential starting quarterback challenger Bailey Zappe won’t get mistaken for the next Tom Brady.

In addition, the Patriots had a top-10 defense in 2022 — a consistent theme for the franchise in its better years during the 2000s and 2010s. Hopkins wants that in a team.

“I think defense wins championships, so for me, I think that’s the key. You’ve got to have a great defense,” Hopkins said. “You’ve got to have a great D-line.”

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Hopkins not only acknowledged the Patriots’ rumored interest during the “I AM ATHLETE” podcast, he listed off numerous Patriots-like qualities for his next destination. The five-time Pro Bowler named the Patriots as one of two squads he “paid attention to” when it came to the rumors.

“Obviously, of course I’ve heard a lot of rumors of people calling,” Hopkins said on the podcast. “I would definitely say the Patriots were one of the teams. Obviously, I would say the [Buffalo] Bills were one of those teams that I heard.”

“I didn’t have direct conversations, but seeing what’s on Twitter, what’s on Instagram, you’ve got to pay attention to some of those things,” Hopkins added. “Really, those are the only two teams that I paid attention to that I was like, ‘All right, let me see if social media’s right.’”

Hopkins then described what he’s looking for in a team, and many of the qualities match the Patriots. New England had the most dominant run in NFL history from 2001 to 2019 with six Super Bowl wins under head coach Bill Belichick, who enters his 24th season at the helm.

“What I want is stable management upstairs,” Hopkins said. “I think that’s something that I haven’t really had the past couple years of my career, coming from Houston and then being in Arizona. I’ve been through three or four GMs in my career, so stable management.”

Belichick has been the general manager essentially since 2000 under owner Robert Kraft, and the Patriots had a top-10 defense in 2022. New England could have a solid quarterback situation again if Mac Jones plays as well as he did in 2021.

Belichick notably has shown high regard for Hopkins, with a Cris Carter comparison in a 2022 press conference. Similarly, Belichick praised Hopkins at the Patriots-Cardinals game in December 2022.

Hopkins notably didn’t go to Arizona this week for the Cardinals organized team activities amid the trade rumors.

DeAndre Hopkins: ‘I Don’t Need a Great QB’

While Hopkins named off quarterbacks he would like to play with and didn’t include Jones, that doesn’t mean New England has no chance to land

“A QB who loves the game, a QB who brings everybody on board with him and pushes not just himself but people around him,” Hopkins continued. “I don’t need a great QB. I’ve done it with subpar QBs. Just a QB who loves the game like I do. And a great defense. I think defense wins championships, so for me, I think that’s the key. You’ve got to have a great defense. You’ve got to have a great D-line.”

Patriots Face Tall Order to Afford Hopkins

Whether or not Belichick could swing a deal to land Hopkins remains to be seen. It won’t come cheap as Hopkins has a two-year, $54 million deal.

However, Belichick has a connection with the Cardinals in new general manager Monti Ossenfort. The former Patriots personnel and scouting staff member worked under Belichick in 2003 and 2006-2019.

New England could use the extra firepower for an offense that sputtered amid 21.4 points per game in 2022. While the Patriots added wide receiver JuJu Smith-Schuster in free agency, the team  doesn’t have another Pro Bowl-caliber pass catcher after him.

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The Browns waived Stille on May 9 and he was quickly claimed by the Arizona Cardinals, where he’ll now compete for a roster spot.

Stille was an undrafted free agent as a rookie but still was able to work his way into the rotation. He appeared in six games with Cleveland, playing 75 defensive snaps last season. He also made one appearance with the Miami Dolphins last season.

The Browns also released wide receiver Marquez Stevenson but he has yet to find a new home. Stevenson was a sixth-round pick of the Buffalo Bills in 2021 but has not recorded a catch in the NFL.

Browns general manager Andrew Berry has hinted that there could be some additional roster moves in the coming weeks.

“There may be some other things that we’re looking to do either on the veteran market or trade market over the next several weeks,” Berry said during an interview with ESPN Cleveland.

The Browns will kick off rookie minicamp over the weekend and will host mandatory veteran minicamp June 6-8.

“Once you get to veteran minicamp, it really is like a phew, OK, you can catch your breath a little bit. And that doesn’t mean you won’t have some outstanding business with the team, but that’s a period where I really try and unplug,” Berry said.

Browns Need to Add Pieces to Defensive Line

It was an interesting move by the Browns to release Stille considering the team is looking to build depth at the defensive tackle position. Cleveland signed veteran Dalvin Tomlinson this offseason but there are questions about who will play next to him at the other tackle spot.

A significant question is the future of Perrion Winfrey, a fourth-round pick of the Browns in 2022. He dealt with some maturity issues that made him a healthy scratch for a handful of games last season and Winfrey also injured himself while riding a scooter, forcing him to miss some time.

Winfrey was arrested on a misdemeanor assault charge last month involving a woman he was dating on April 12 has complicated his future in Cleveland. The Browns doing their homework on the situation but have yet to say anything about his future with the franchise. Browns beat reporter Zac Jackson of The Athletic thinks that Stille being gone means that Winfrey may be sticking around.

“Stille going tells me that Perrion Winfrey is going to stay, but we’ll see,” Jackson wrote. “Mostly, the Browns had to make some moves to get their undrafted rookie class formally signed and to start getting the draft picks signed, too.”

Browns Focused on Improving Run Defense

The Browns’ focus this offseason was to revitalize their defense, which started with the hiring of Jim Schwartz as defensive coordinator. Schwartz is building an attacking scheme and the defensive line will be in focus.

“We run a very D-line friendly scheme that eliminates a lot of conflict for those guys, and we were able to play guys off of that. We sort of let those guys go and be disruptive,” Schwartz said during his introductory press conference.

Cleveland’s inconsistent run defense was a thorn in their side last season. The team the new scheme and additions — like Tomlinson — will help with that.

“As a defensive lineman, I feel like going into each season there is always a lot of pressure to stop the run because if you can’t stop the run, you will never get to pass rush,” Tomlinson said. “Just want to come in and help everybody across the whole front so we can be one unit up front to stop the run as much as possible.”

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The Cowboys added some pieces to the offense this offseason, including veteran wide receiver Brandin Cooks. But Bryant thinks Dallas needs more, especially after the Philadelphia Eagles made some big moves during the draft, including a trade for Detroit Lions running back DeAndre Swift.

Bryant tagged Prescott in a tweet, telling him to go to the front office and push for the Hopkins trade to happen.

“I like Deandre Hopkins on the Cowboys because the ball don’t necessarily need to be thrown perfect and I think Dak Ceedee will benefit tremendously with hop on the other side,” Bryant tweeted. “Ceedee hop cooks Gallup is the line up at the wideout position.. OMG… Dak go tell the front office this who you want to throw the ball to… We gotta compete with them Eagles.”

It’s easier said than done. Hopkins is on a massive deal that would need restructuring and the Cardinals have said they don’t expect a trade to happen after shopping the former All-Pro this offseason. There is always the chance he gets cut, which would make the idea much more interesting.

Cowboys Wanted to Bolster Offense With Weapons for Dak Prescott

The Cowboys needed to add some depth to the wide receiver corps this offseason, which they did with the addition of Cooks. He’ll join CeeDee Lamb and Michael Gallup as the top three pass-catchers, although the Cowboys could still use some depth.

Lamb said during Super Bowl week that surrounding quarterback Dak Prescott with weapons would be key.

“You gotta surround (the quarterback),” Lamb said during an apperance on the “Around The NFL” podcast . “You go look at the Eagles, and they’ve got three receivers, a great tight end group, they run the ball well, the O-line is very phenomenal. You look at San Fran, they surrounded their quarterback and you get success ultimately. I mean we’ve got just as many weapons, but that extra player, all it takes is one. You can be so close to the Super Bowl and it can be a deciding factor.”

The Cowboys recently picked up Lamb’s fifth-year option and will continue to investigate a long-term deal for their top receiver. He’s coming off a second consecutive Pro Bowl season and by far his most succesful campaign in the NFL. Lamb caught caught 107 passes for 1,359 yards and nine touchdowns last season.

Cowboys Add Pass-Catchers in NFL Draft

The Cowboys did add a few pass-catchers through the draft, taking tight end Luke Schoonmaker in the second round and adding South Carolina receiver Jalen Brooks in the sixth round.

The Cowboys are looking to replace the production of tight end Dalton Schultz, who bolted for the Houston Texans in free agency. They feel good about what Schoonmaker brings to the table and how he can work with Jake Ferguson and Peyton Hendershot.

“I think just being able to line me up in different spots, in line and in the slot, just being the versatile player that I am,” Schoonmaker said on a conference call after he was drafted. “I think I can really add a lot to that room.”

Brooks was the Cowboys final pick in the draft and he comes with some upside, although his college stats don’t pop off the page. He had 33 catches and 504 receiving yards last season with the Gamecocks.

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There aren’t many jobs up for grabs, and the trade for offensive lineman Cody Ford should help the OL group up front.

With the first roster cut deadline on Tuesday, NFL teams across the league released and waived several players to get closer to the magic number 53 by the time the regular season begins.

The Cardinals Cut Six Players

The Cardinals cut a total of six players on Tuesday, and there are some surprising omissions on the roster. Here are the following players who were let go by Arizona (h/t Ari Meirov of Pro Football Focus):

• WR Marcell Ateman
• RB T.J. Pledger
• P Nolan Cooney
• CB Cortez Davis
• TE Josh Hokit
• CB Darrell Baker Jr.

The roster now stands at 80, so they have a long way to go to trim down to 53 and begin the 2022 campaign. None of these cuts are very surprising.

Over the weekend, Pledger had three carries for zero yards in the preseason game against the Baltimore Ravens. Ateman and Hokit had no catches or targets in that game.

Both Davis and Baker didn’t register any tackles in the last preseason game, so this seems like an easy decision for general manager Steve Keim.

There are still some players who the Cardinals are trying to move on from, including wide receiver Andy Isabella. However, who knows what teams will pay for him if they want to acquire him, and it might be easier to release him and move on.

August 30 is the deadline for NFL teams to dwindle down to 53 players, so the final preseason game against the Tennessee Titans on August 27 will make or break for some of these players.

The Cardinals Welcome New OL Cody Ford After a Rash of Injuries

The Cardinals acquired Ford, a former Oklahoma Sooners teammate of Kyler Murray and Hollywood Brown, for a 2023 fifth-round selection.

Ford is a welcomed addition to the team, and head coach Kliff Kingsbury explained the importance of the acquisition due to a number of injuries on the offensive line (h/t Darren Urban of Cardinals.com).

“We see (Ford) playing inside with the ability in a pinch to play tackle,” Kingsbury said. “With our injuries, we felt like it was a position where we could get some more depth.

Ford not only provides depth but there is a chance he could end up as a starter on the offensive line. Justin Pugh is dealing with an injury, so that will be a big piece to monitor over the next couple of weeks.

Left tackle Josh Jones has impressed in camp, so the Cardinals’ offensive line could look much different than we initially thought.

The Cardinals — and the rest of the NFL — have a lot of work to do before going down to 53 players, but the next week will be a strong indication of who survives and who heads for the unemployment line.

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On Monday, the Cardinals did acquire another offensive lineman, although it wasn’t Jenkins. According to Ari Meirov of Pro Football Focus, Buffalo Bills guard Cody Ford is headed to the Cardinals for a 2023 fifth-round draft pick.

As Meirov pointed out, Ford and Cardinals quarterback Kyler Murray played together at Oklahoma before they went separate ways in the NFL.

Now, they reunite, and one clip surfaced on Monday after the trade was announced. This video is right after the Cardinals defeated the Bills on the unbelievable Hail Mary touchdown to DeAndre Hopkins.

Earlier this offseason, the Cardinals acquired Marquise ‘Hollywood’ Brown in a trade with the Baltimore Ravens, giving Murray his top college target. Now, they bring in Ford in another Sooners’ reunion in Arizona.

Ford’s NFL Career

Ford was drafted by the Bills in the second round of the 2019 NFL Draft and was expected to be a key piece upfront.

The Bills traded up in the second round on draft day to acquire Ford, so that shows how highly they thought of him. Unfortunately, he hasn’t been able to get it going so far in the NFL.

He started 15 games for the Bills in his rookie season but took a step back in each of the subsequent two campaigns. In 2020, Ford played in just seven games and suffered a torn meniscus, which put the rest of his season to bed.

In 2021, he played 15 games with seven starts. Ford played guard, but the Bills also had him tackle, and he just wasn’t able to adjust to moving all around on the offensive line.

With the Cardinals being rumored for Jenkins and other offensive line help, it made sense for general manager Steve Keim to take a shot on a former second-round pick — and somebody who has familiarity with Murray.

Ford has been Playing Well This Summer, and This Deal Could be a Steal for Arizona

Just a couple of years ago, Ford was selected in the second round. Now, the Cardinals acquire him for just a fifth-rounder.

So, the talent is evident, and if Ford can fix his game and become a decent player in Arizona, this will be a massive steal for Keim.

After a rough 2021 season, Ford has been drawing plenty of attention during training camp in Buffalo.

Let’s not forget that the Cardinals had their eyes on Ford in 2019 before going in a different direction.

Sometimes a change of scenery does wonders for players, and playing with people you are familiar with is always a good thing. Ford not only knows Murray, but he also knows Brown and head coach Kliff Kingsbury certainly has something in mind after bringing in all of these former Sooners.

The Cardinals might not be done making moves yet, but bringing in a potential starting offensive lineman for a fifth-round draft pick could be a home run for Keim.

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However, another Bears player who has been linked to the Cardinals in a potential trade could prove more realistic and would give Arizona some much-needed improvements on the offensive line.

That player is tackle Teven Jenkins, whom Brad Spielberger of Pro Football Focus, in an August 17 story on top trade candidates before the start of the regular season, could fit on the Cardinals.

“Perhaps Jenkins could serve as a cheap option for the next three seasons while [tackle D.J.] Humphries, quarterback Kyler Murray and wide receiver DeAndre Hopkins play on big contracts, with wide receiver Marquise Brown potentially getting an extension of his own in the near future,” Spielberger wrote.

Jenkins’ Bumpy Road

After the Bears moved up in the 2021 draft to select Jenkins in the second round, Jenkins has not found success in the NFL after a stellar run at Oklahoma State.

Jenkins, 24, appeared in only six games during his rookie season after undergoing back surgery in August 2021. He finally made his NFL debut in December and played every one of the Bears’ offensive snaps in Week 14 against the Green Bay Packers. In the Bears’ final three games, however, Jenkins was used sparingly, playing a total of 39 offensive snaps.

By the time the Bears’ training camp arrived in July, Jenkins had been demoted to the second team, according to USA Today’s BearsWire. That’s when Ian Rapoport of NFL Network reported that Chicago could be interested in trading Jenkins.

“The #Bears have received calls and have held trade talks centered around OT Teven Jenkins, sources tell me and @MikeGarafolo,” Rapoport tweeted on August 1. “The second round pick has drawn interest based on his potential. A situation to watch.”

But then Jenkins appeared to improve as camp progressed, and he began to make a name for himself. He wound up starting the Bears’ August 18 win over the Seattle Seahawks and is now listed as a starter at right guard on Chicago’s depth chart.

On August 21, the Bears’ final day of training camp, Alyssa Barbieri of BearsWire wrote that the starting job was Jenkins’ to lose.

“The Bears have remained true to their promise to explore all possible combinations this summer, which has included a position move for Jenkins,” Barbieri wrote.

The Cardinals Could Be Active in the Trade Market

In Spielberger’s story, he projected that Jenkins’ trade value was a 2023 fourth-round pick.

Aarron Van Buren of FanSided’s Raising Arizona suggested in an August 3 story that the Cardinals attempt to acquire Jenkins. He suggested they send wide receiver Andy Isabella, an oft-mentioned candidate for trade, to the Bears in exchange for Jenkins, who could complement the recently extended D.J. Humphries on the offensive line.

After Arizona inked Kyler Murray to an eye-popping $231 million extension, finding protection for him upfront is a priority for general manager Steve Keim.

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The defense has a ton of question marks, and Chicago Bears linebacker Roquan Smith has been a name linked to the Cardinals. However, there has been no traction on any Smith deal, so that could be just a pipe dream.

On the other hand, the Cardinals might be making some trades to clear roster spots and get down to that 53 number.

Bleacher Report dropped an article that mentioned one player on each NFL team that could be traded. The Cardinals’ option is Andy Isabella, the former second-round pick out of UMass.

The Cardinals Could Find a Trade Partner for Isabella

Alex Kay of Bleacher Report named one player from each team that should be on the trade block, and it isn’t surprising to see Isabella as the name mentioned for Arizona.

Here’s what Kay wrote:

Andy Isabella hasn’t lived up to expectations during his first three seasons with the Arizona Cardinals.

After the receiver was almost completely phased out of the offense last year—he saw just 30 snaps and caught a single pass—it’s clearly time to move on from the 2019 second-rounder.

Isabella’s agent confirmed that Arizona granted his client permission to seek a trade in March. The club also reportedly attempted to shop the wideout around ahead of the 2022 draft to no avail.

As Kay mentioned, it isn’t anything new for the Cardinals to explore an Isabella trade, and now more than ever, they might be inclined to find a new team for him.

The emergence of Greg Dortch, who shined in the first preseason game, could push Isabella off the depth chart altogether.

Isabella came into the NFL with a world of talent and an impressive 40-yard dash time (4.31) at the 2019 Combine. But he just hasn’t been able to find much success. In his rookie year, he caught nine passes for 189 yards and a score and followed that up with 21 catches for 224 yards and two touchdowns in his sophomore campaign.

However, 2021 was rough. Isabella caught just one ball for 13 yards and played just eight games for the Cardinals. His role looks even thinner with Marquise ‘Hollywood’ Brown, Zach Ertz, Trey McBride, Rondale Moore, AJ Green, and DeAndre Hopkins (once he returns) all expected to be key contributors to the Cardinals’ offense.

Which Teams Make Sense for an Isabella Trade?

This question is interesting. Currently, there aren’t many teams in desperate need of a wide receiver. However, depending on the price, some might be intrigued to make an offer.

Isabella has talent; that’s no secret.

One team that makes sense is the Bears. After Darnell Mooney, the rest of the group is a question mark. Another team thin at the position is the Atlanta Falcons. The Falcons have Drake London, but the WR room is underwhelming after that.

At this rate, who knows what teams offer for Isabella — the Cardinals have been floating his name for months and haven’t found a suitor yet.

N’Keal Harry got traded to the Bears from the New England Patriots for a 2024 7th-round pick, so that’s probably the most realistic price for Isabella. At any rate, Isabella’s time in the desert appears to be nearing an end.

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Yes, it’s preseason, and the starters were nowhere to be found for either team. Trace McSorley showcased his talent by going 13-of-22 for 163 yards and a touchdown, while Jarrett Guarantano completed 7-of-10 passes for 54 yards and a score.

Former USC Trojans running back and rookie Keaontay Ingram looked like a capable backup to James Conner. Ingram totaled seven carries for 27 yards and a score and chipped in a pair of catches for 18 yards.

The preseason gives every team a glimpse of some young talent — and lets them see who needs to be cut as the rosters get dwindled.

But, according to Pro Football Focus, one 24-year-old undrafted wide receiver drew some attention again and was labeled as the Cardinals ‘biggest riser’.

24-Year-Old Greg Dortch is Making a Name for Himself

Greg Dortch. Have you heard that name before? Probably not.

The 24-year-old Wake Forest product has bounced around with several teams in the NFL, including time with the following: New York Jets, Carolina Panthers, Los Angeles Rams, and Atlanta Falcons.

Dortch went undrafted in 2019 and has bounced around ever since, but he hopes to find a home in the desert for 2022.

Doug Kyed of Pro Football Focus compiled a list of the biggest risers and fallers from each NFL team, and Johnny Venerable of PHNX Cardinals gave his reasoning why Dortch is that riser:

Venerable wrote that Dortch has “made big plays all throughout camp and should force his way onto the roster.” The 5-foot-7 wide receiver has bounced around the league from the Jets to the Panthers, Rams, Falcons and Cardinals since going undrafted out of Wake Forest in 2019.

So far, during training camp, Dortch has stood out in a big way and might be forcing Kliff Kingsbury and company to keep him on the 53-man roster.

Then, on Friday, during the preseason opener, Dortch caught four balls for 53 yards on eight targets. Moreover, he returned five punts for 89 yards, including a dazzling 55-yard return.

Dortch finished with the team lead in targets and was four yards behind Andy Isabella for the team lead in receiving yards.

It was a strong performance from Dortch, and with DeAndre Hopkins suspended for six games to start the year, maybe there is a role for him on the team.

What Does the Cardinals Depth Chart Look Like at Wide Receiver?

The wide receiver room is pretty crowded in Arizona. Hopkins is out for six games, but there is immense talent throughout the rest of that position group.

Marquise “Hollywood” Brown figures to step into the lead role, and veteran AJ Green should see an uptick in targets in Hopkins’ absence. Rondale Moore is another player earmarked to see an extra dose of targets, even when Hopkins does return.

After that, it remains to be seen who takes the final spots. Isabella and Antoine Wesley are fighting for roster spots, and with the way Dortch has played, he could overtake them and snag a spot on the final roster.

The hype around Dortch is quickly gaining steam, and for every reason.

If he continues to play well and perform well during camp, there is no way they can keep him off the roster.

The Cardinals’ next preseason game is against the Baltimore Ravens on August 21, so it will be interesting to see if Kingsbury changes up the playing time for the wide receivers.

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Unfortunately, they might be missing a few key players against the defending AFC Champions. With the first week of the preseason set to get underway, it won’t be too concerning for the Cardinals.

However, there is some concern with veteran tight end Zach Ertz, who had missed the past week of practice with an injury.

On the flip side, the Cardinals did get some encouraging news on the Ertz front. Furthermore, they also received some updates on rookie tight end Trey McBride.

Cardinals Get Encouraging Update on Ertz

Ertz has missed practice the past week, and now he is officially out for the preseason opener, although Kingsbury said Ertz would have been out anyways.

The latest update by Kingsbury is a good sign for Ertz, although things could drastically change over the next few weeks leading up to the regular season.

Jeremy Fowler of ESPN also said Ertz is progressing, and the team is just being careful with him at this point.

Still, this could be something to keep an eye on going forward. The team drafted Trey McBride out of Colorado State, then signed Stephen Anderson, the former Los Angeles Chargers tight end, so they are covering all bases at the position with Ertz turning 32 in November.

The former Philadelphia Eagles tight end caught 56 passes for 574 yards and three scores after coming over midseason from Philly. He is expected to be a massive contributor in 2022 as the top tight end for Kyler Murray.

Ertz’s status isn’t the only update in the tight end room.

McBride is Also Out for the Cardinals’ Preseason Opener, Which Opens the Way for Anderson

On August 4, the Cardinals got an update on McBride, and the rookie tight end has had a rough preseason while dealing with an injury.

A week later, and with the preseason opener here, it looks like McBride won’t be ready to go for that game, and Darren Urban of Cardinals.com added that McBride “doesn’t look like he’ll be able to go.”

McBride was one of the best tight ends in the 2022 draft class. He caught an eye-popping 90 passes for 1,121 yards but just one touchdown for the Rams in 2021, and there is a ton of excitement and the 1-2 TE punch of Ertz and McBride.

For now, it is Stephen Anderson season, at least in the preseason opener. He had to compete for targets with veteran Jared Cook and Donald Parham, so his 2021 numbers aren’t enticing. Anderson caught just 16 balls for 165 yards and a touchdown while playing in every game for the Chargers.

The depth chart should have Ertz and McBride on top of the pecking order at tight end, but if Anderson plays well in this opportunity, Kingsbury might need to find a way to get all three involved on offense.

Unfortunately, McBride and Ertz will be out for Friday’s game, and let’s hope both players can recover and get back on the field to get their legs under them.

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General manager Steve Keim has been busy working out veteran players on defense, with Deandre Baker and Jeremiah Attaochu as the latest to come to work out for the Cardinals.

On top of that, a Cardinals insider mentioned Ndamukong Suh and a few other defensive players as potential free agent options. The defense has issues that need to be resolved if Arizona wants to take a step forward in 2022 and salvage Kliff Kingsbury’s career.

Suddenly, there is a quality starting linebacker on the market that the Cardinals might want to try to acquire.

The Cardinals Could Give a Look at Roquan Smith

Chicago Bears linebacker Roquan Smith officially requested a trade recently and is unhappy with the contract offer he received from the franchise.

Smith has played all but four games since coming into the NFL in 2018 and has 14 career sacks. But, the Bears are rebuilding and traded away Khalil Mack, and the offer to Smith wasn’t what he was hoping for.

Thus, the Cardinals should be all-in on the Smith trade front, and it is worth a shot for Keim. Alex Sutton of Cards Wire elaborated on how badly the Cardinals need help in the linebacker group and why the addition of Smith makes sense:

General Manager Steve Keim has spent his entire tenure with the Cardinals searching for long-term stability at the inside linebacker position. While he’s had some short-term success, he’s struggled to find that elite presence in the middle of the field.

The Cardinals under Keim have selected four inside linebackers in the first round in Deone Bucannon, Haason Reddick, Isaiah Simmons and Zaven Collins. Only one is currently slated to play the inside linebacker position for an NFL team this season. Given the front office’s infatuation with the position, it is almost guaranteed they will at least inquire about a player of Smith’s caliber.

Moreover, Johnny Venerable of PHNX Cardinals insists this is the type of move that could push Arizona over the top.

The Cardinals need help on defense, and with Isaiah Simmons transitioning to more of a hybrid role in 2022, the linebacking core could use the presence of Smith. Zaven Collins and Nick Vigil are set to start this season, and Smith would be a massive upgrade over both players.

Will Steve Kiem Roll the Dice on a Trade for Smith?

The question remains on what the Bears want to get out of a potential trade for Smith. Another question is, what would Kiem give up to acquire one of the best young linebackers in the NFL?

Some ideas have floated around, but draft capital might be the main thing the Bears are looking for.

There is no denying that Smith is a talented player, but in the final year of his rookie deal, he could walk away at the end of the season. That fact alone might limit teams from paying a premium price to acquire him.

On the other hand, Keim and the Cardinals need to address the defensive side of the ball after locking up Kyler Murray to a $231 million extension. It could be another disappointing season in the desert if they don’t improve on defense.

At the very least, it’s worth a phone call, especially if the Cardinals want to compete with the defending Super Bowl Champions.

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Nonetheless, 2022 has a ton of excitement in Arizona, and Kyler Murray signing a $231 million extension finally can shut down all those rumors and seal the quarterback position in the desert for a long time.

Yet, head coach Kliff Kingsbury has a lot to prove in 2022, and his late-season struggles are as evident as ever. Some players will need to step up. Otherwise, Kingsbury might be headed for the unemployment line.

Which player needs to take the biggest step forward?

Cardinals’ Safety Isaiah Simmons Lands on PFF’s ‘Most to Prove’ List

There you have it. Isaiah Simmons, the former Clemson star, has a target on his back heading into the 2022 season.

The Cardinals selected Simmons at No. 8 overall in the 2022 NFL Draft and had high hopes that he would become the future cornerstone of the defense.

Unfortunately, he has yet to show the signs of a top-10 pick, and Doug Kyed of Pro Football Focus listed Simmons as the Cardinals player with the most to prove this season.

Simmons was the eighth overall pick in the 2020 NFL Draft but has just a 51.8 PFF grade through two seasons. He’s played 789 snaps in the box, where he’s earned a 61.9 grade, 326 snaps on the defensive line (51.4 grade), 236 snaps in the slot (40.2 grade), 39 snaps at cornerback (68.7 grade) and 10 snaps at free safety (32.6 grade). Early in camp, Simmons has been playing the “star” or nickel role in the Cardinals’ defense.

All in all, it has been a rough start to the NFL career for Simmons. After so much hype heading into the 2020 NFL Draft, he has not been able to piece it together — although the flashes of talent have been there.

So far in training camp, Simmons is catching everybody’s attention.

If Simmons can turn the page and become a star like everybody was expecting, the Cardinals’ defense could be that much better in 2022.

Simmons is Embracing His New Role on Defense

Simmons was always seen as a unique player coming out of college. Defensive coordinator Vance Joseph has come up with a new title for Simmons: Star Backer.

According to Cardinals reporter Darren Urban, Simmons is enjoying the role and the name for it.

“I like the new name for it,” Simmons said. “I feel like it’s kind of fitting.”

Los Angeles Rams star Jalen Ramsey has also played the “star” position and is everywhere on the field. Derwin James is another player that plays everywhere on the defense, and Simmons is expected to do the same type of role in the 2022 season.

Joseph has high hopes for Simmons this season, hence the role being titled Star Backer.

“Right now he’s our Star-backer,” Joseph said. “Whatever you want to call him. We’ll see. That’s what camp is for. How far we can go with playing certain spots. Right now, it’s just reaching for the stars and hope it’s good enough.”

The sky truly is the limit for Simmons, and if he can become the type of player he was at Clemson, the NFC is in a world of trouble.

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At the end of July, the Cardinals brought in two veteran defensive linemen via free agency by signing former Packers defensive tackle Christian Ringo and former Colts defensive tackle Antwaun Woods.

Usually, at this point in the season, the rosters are basically set. However, Keim must have other ideas, especially after signing those two veterans.

Cardinals Work Out a Couple of Former AFC West Defensive Players

The Cardinals don’t appear to be done fixing this roster, either. According to Field Yates of ESPN, Arizona brought in a pair of former AFC West defensive players for a workout.

Jeremiah Attaochu and Deandre Baker are both intriguing options for the Cardinals. Attaochu was a second-round choice by the then-San Diego Chargers in the 2014 NFL Draft.

He played four seasons with the Chargers and even started 12 games during the 2015 season, compiling a career-high six sacks. Since then, he has bounced around a lot, including pitstops with the following teams: New York Jets, Denver Broncos, and Chicago Bears.

Attaochu fell off quickly and played just five games for Chicago in 2021, totaling only two tackles. Attaochu signed a one-year deal with the San Francisco 49ers in 2018 but didn’t make it to the regular season before catching on with the Jets. Nonetheless, Attaochu is just 29 years old and might have a bit left in the tank.

Deandre Baker is the more fascinating case for the Cardinals. He was cut by the Kansas City Chiefs on August 7 and is drawing interest from several NFL teams.

The New York Giants selected Baker at No. 30 overall in the 2019 NFL Draft after a stellar career with the Georgia Bulldogs.

Unfortunately for Baker and the Giants, he was let go after starting 15 games in his rookie campaign, and the Chiefs decided to kick the tires on him.

Baker turns 25 in September, so he has plenty of miles left, and maybe a third stop in the NFL makes the difference.

The Cardinals Have Been Aggressive on the Free Agency Front

This might be a surprise, but Steve Keim has been aggressive on the free agency end of things. The defense has been the most significant focal point, which makes sense with the way the team is loaded up on offense.

But, clearly, they want to fix the defense a little bit, and one Cardinals insider even suggested DL Ndamukong Suh as a potential free agent fit. Now, Keim brings in more defensive players, and Baker alone should merit consideration from Arizona.

The secondary was a bit of a weak spot last season. While Baker comes with his own issues — he was cut by the Giants in September of 2020 after being prosecuted for robbery and gun charges — another opportunity could make a massive difference for the former Georgia star.

The Cardinals might continue to bring other players in for workouts, especially once the roster gets dwindled down closer to that 53-man number. There could still be moves made for Arizona before the regular season begins.

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The rest of the roster — at least on paper — looks like a playoff contender once again. However, that won’t stop general manager Steve Keim from browsing the market and seeing what other options are available. 

The offense is pretty much set all around, and Murray’s contract resolution gives everybody some comfort heading into the season. Even with Deandre Hopkins missing the first six games, there isn’t much that needs to be done on that side of the ball. 

The defense, on the other hand, has a few question marks. That area, specifically, is where Keim can focus on trying to bolster the depth. He started it off by announcing the signing of two veteran defensive linemen, former Packers defensive tackle Christian Ringo and former Colts defensive tackle Antwaun Woods, on July 29. 

Is Ndamukong Suh a Realistic Option for Arizona? 

On the surface, Ndamukong Suh might be a surprising suggestion. But Alex Sutton of Cards Wire mentioned Suh as a potential free agent fit and explained why this makes sense. 

“The Cardinals’ interior defensive line does have some question marks,” Sutton wrote on August 1. “While the two are great when healthy, starters J.J. Watt and Zach Allen have missed some time in recent memory. Adding a force like Suh only makes that group better. The five-time Pro Bowler and three-time First-Team All-Pro member had six sacks in each of the past two seasons. That’s extraordinarily impressive playing from the interior, proving he’s still an impact player in this league.”

The defense needs to take a giant step forward in 2022, especially with the offense expected to be among the best in the NFL. Adding Suh to this group would only help, even if it is just for added depth. 

The injury issues have been a concern for years with Arizona. Suh brings reliability: He played in every game for the Tampa Bay Buccaneers during the 2019 through 2021 seasons and can still get after the quarterback. 

Plus, Suh is also familiar with defensive coordinator Vance Joseph from their time together with the Miami Dolphins. 

The Team’s Recent Free Agent Signings Signal More Help Could Be Coming 

If the defensive line weren’t a concern, Kiem wouldn’t have brought Ringo and Woods in. 

It seems unlikely that either of those two players plays a significant role. If Suh were to come on board, however, his stats over the past two seasons suggest he would immediately contribute. He also could be a suitable replacement for J.J. Watt or Zach Allen if either defender misses time and or needs a breather during games.

With Matthew Stafford and Trey Lance in the same division, finding a way to get after the quarterback is a priority, and the thought of Watt, 33, and Suh, 35, together could be a nightmare for opposing coaches. 

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At the moment Ringo and Woods are seen to add to the depth of the Cardinals’ defensive line that was ranked 27 out of 32 by Pro Football Focus. Although the future Hall of Famer J.J. Watt is still in the fold entering his 12th season and second in Arizona there aren’t many strengths past that. 2021 was a down year for Watt who recorded the third lowest total tackles in his career at 16, so he will likely be looking to bounce back this season.

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The Path to Arizona for Ringo & Woods

Although Ringo and Woods both joined the National Football League in 2016 they both had quite different paths to the Cardinals for the 2022 season. Ringo, who is 30, was drafted by the Packers in the 2015 draft out of Louisiana-Lafayette. Ringo, who has yet to spend more than one full season with the same team, has had short stints with five different teams excluding the Cardinals.

Although his career has been rocky, Ringo played in a career-high 14 games in 2021 for the New Orleans Saints, starting in four of those games. In 2021, he recorded 26 total tackles and a forced fumble that he recovered. Ringo may not be a star-studded addition to the defensive line, but he has proven that his worst days are behind him and that he is ready for whatever assignments Defensive Coordinator Vance Joseph could throw his way.

Woods, who is only a year younger than Ringo at 29, brings just as much potential to the squad. Signed as an undrafted free agent from the University of Southern California in 2016 by the Tennessee Titans, Woods would only play in one game that season recording three total tackles.

After his rookie season in Tennessee, he was cut, then re-signed a day later to the practice squad where he would stay until being cut again in 2018. Things looked bleak for Woods, but only after seven days of being cut from the Titans, the Dallas Cowboys came knocking at his door. Over the next three seasons, he recorded the best numbers of his career until disaster struck in December 2020, when Woods was placed on the injured reserve after injuring his ankle in week 15 against the San Francisco 49ers. In May of 2021, he would be cut and signed by the Indianapolis Colts, where he spent one season appearing in only seven games.

Where the Cardinals Need the Most Help

It is no surprise that the Cardinals’ were looking for more defensive linemen to add to their rotation but with two rookies filling in important gaps in their defense the two vet’s presence seems to be that much more significant. It is not likely at the moment Ringo or Woods finds a starting role with Arizona, but for a team that is attempting to win it all in 2022, this may be the most important role of their careers.

Both of the new signees will likely have reps in the upcoming preseason games starting August 13 in Cincinnati taking on the Bengals. From there they will be at home against the Baltimore Ravens, and back on the road to finish off their preseason in Nashville against the Titans on August 27.

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“After seeing the distraction it created, we removed the addendum from the contract,” the Cardinals said in a statement. “It was clearly perceived in ways that were never intended. Our confidence in Kyler Murray is as high as it’s ever been and nothing demonstrates our belief in his ability to lead this team more than the commitment reflected in this contract.”

The move means the NFL’s second-highest paid player by average annual salary will not have to contractually put in the extra hours However, the quarterback refuses to let his “work ethic be in question…To think that I can accomplish everything I’ve accomplished and not be a student of the game and not have that passion and not take it seriously, it’s disrespectful and almost a joke.”

Former safety Rashad Johnson took to Twitter after the news broke calling the clause “a flat out joke.” He added, “but really who’s surprised with the (Arizona Cardinals) that really know the organization.” The eight-year veteran questioned those who “didn’t think it would be a bad look.”

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Johnson played in Arizona for seven seasons, starting 51 out of 100 games and snatching 15 interceptions. He first signed as a restricted free agent in 2010 and again re-upped with the team in 2013 on a three-year deal before departing for Tennessee Titans in 2016. He played one season then retired.

Rappaport followed his original reporting to explain “similar to the team wanting him around for the offseason as the face of the franchise, (Arizona) wanted a commitment in writing while going to a certain place money-wise. Thus, the clause.”

Relationship Damage Done Going Into Training Camp

The Arizona Cardinals and Murray provided plenty of headlines during the eventful offseason contract negotiations. The Independent Study clause just added to the saga. Fox Sports reporter Nick Wright believes, “this is the mark of an unserious organization…I think it will be a storyline for the Cardinals throughout the year, and unfortunately, it could follow Kyler further.”

Wright’s colleague Chris Broussard added, “this could become a footnote. But if Kyler Murray plays poorly and the Cardinals have a bad season, they could eventually have to divorce.” Andrew Brandt questioned the Cardinals insisting on a clause “saying their adult quarterback could lose up to $150M in guarantees for not doing team-monitored homework every week for the next 7 years. What exactly did they intend?”

Skip Bayless chimed in with a short tweet to apologize, “Sorry, Arizona Cardinals: Too late for that. The damage is done, to you and to him.”

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