Offseason In Review: Arizona Cardinals

The primary Cardinals playoff entrance in six years preceded a fancy offseason. The highest three gamers related to the franchise landed in headlines — both for leaving, being suspended, or, most notably, entanglement in one of many weirder contract plots in latest reminiscence — and the crew Arizona will subject seems to have extra query marks than the 2021 iteration did.

Kyler Murray‘s contract saga dominated all different Cardinals offseason storylines, however this crew loved an eventual yr on most fronts. With Chandler Jones gone and DeAndre Hopkins suspended, the 2022 Cardinals’ margin for error seems slimmer. Final season’s begin confirmed the capabilities of the Murray-led operation. Its end revealed potential foundational flaws. Nevertheless, the Playing cards — albeit in unusual vogue — checked off the highest contract field in franchise historical past. The group is now dedicated to the Murray-Kliff Kingsbury–Steve Keim trio, for higher or worse.

Trades:

Months earlier than the Murray deal’s bumpy touchdown, the Cardinals reunited their star quarterback together with his high faculty broad receiver. Brown, maybe unsurprisingly, not wished to be a part of the NFL’s most run-oriented assault. The commerce request led the diminutive deep menace to Arizona, and whereas the Cardinals did recoup a third-rounder from the Ravens, Baltimore amassing a first-rounder for Brown did shock on draft night time. With Hopkins sidelined for the Playing cards’ first six video games, the Oklahoma-established Kyler-Hollywood connection might want to rev up once more instantly.

Spending his two-year faculty profession enjoying solely with Heisman winners, Brown lit up Large 12 secondaries. Baker Mayfield oversaw Brown’s freshman breakout, and Murray coaxed greater numbers (75 catches, 1,318 yards, 10 touchdowns) throughout his Heisman slate. A Hopkins-Brown-A.J. Inexperienced trio, with elevated Rondale Moore utilization, invitations intrigue — barely extra so than final yr’s Playing cards aerial assault did. As practically each crew with a worthwhile 2019 receiver draftee is rewarding them with profitable extensions, Arizona has a yr to guage Brown’s match.

Touchdown the 5-foot-9 weapon on a rookie contract is favorable in comparison with overpaying Christian Kirk, however giving up a high offseason asset to take action brings threat. Brown is among the NFL’s smallest receivers, and he has only one 800-plus-yard season on his resume. Then once more, Brown absolutely has untapped potential on the NFL degree. Being tied to Lamar Jackson has not precisely benefited go catchers not named Mark Andrews. Brown can place himself for a contract north of Diontae Johnson‘s new deal (two years, $36.7MM) by proving he was held again in Baltimore. Regardless that Brown’s ceiling stays mysterious, the Cardinals extending him now — on a deal within the Johnson realm — could also be palatable to seeing him drive up his worth in a receiver-friendlier offense.

That mentioned, the Cardinals have been too Hopkins-dependent since buying him by way of commerce. Brown provides some pace to one of many NFL’s slower receiver stables. His arrival and the prospect of elevated Moore work represents an improve on the state of affairs the 2021 Playing cards deployed. Brown, 25, does pair higher with Murray, age-wise, than Hopkins, 30. However, assuming the crew desires a Hopkins-Brown long-term partnership, that may grow to be costly — on a roster now carrying a monster quarterback wage — very quickly.

Free company additions:

• Nick Vigil, LB: One yr, $1.77MM. $1.77MM assured.
• Will Hernandez, G: One yr, $1.19MM. $1MM assured.
• Darrel Williams, RB: One yr, $1.19MM. $1MM assured.
• Josh Jackson, CB: One yr, $1MM.
• Ben Niemann, LB: One yr, $1MM.
• Antwaun Woods, DT: One yr, $1MM.

Arizona labored quietly by way of outdoors free agent hires. Hernandez, Williams and Vigil every could possibly be good fliers for a crew that prioritized UFA retention this yr. Going into his age-29 season, Vigil has made 51 profession begins, Hernandez was a four-year Giants starter, and Williams performed a daily position on one of many NFL’s greatest offenses.

Hernandez will observe Pugh from New York to Arizona. Regardless of Pugh coming off an injury-plagued Giants tenure, his market didn’t undergo a lot. Hernandez, conversely, went from long-term Giants starter — with a light damage historical past — to a participant who generated subsequent to no curiosity. A Cardinals crew filled with ageing beginning O-linemen ought to profit from a 26-year-old guard with 56 profession begins working as a backup. Odds are, Hernandez will probably be wanted as a starter this season. Will probably be fascinating to see if the previous second-round decide, whom PFF successfully turned on after a constructive rookie-year evaluation, can develop extra curiosity on the 2023 market.

Ideally, the Cardinals won’t need Williams receiving too many carries. James Conner staying wholesome and Eno Benjamin complementing him, post-Chase Edmonds, ought to be the crew’s perfect method. However Williams was vital in Kansas Metropolis, subbing in for the oft-unavailable Clyde Edwards-Helaire. Nothing flashy right here, with three sub-4.0-YPC seasons in 4 years, however Williams is coming off a season with 1,010 scrimmage yards and eight touchdowns. It garnered him subsequent to no curiosity available on the market, therefore the Cardinals go to turning right into a $1MM assure. However he turned an honest outlet choice for Patrick Mahomes in 2021. As a depth piece, Williams ought to work. Given Conner’s damage historical past, the addition might grow to be related quickly.

Re-signings:

• Zach Ertz, TE: Three years, $31.65MM. $14.5MM assured.
• James Conner, RB: Three years, $21MM. $13.5MM assured.
• Colt McCoy, QB: Two years, $7.5MM. $6MM assured.
• Dennis Gardeck, LB: Three years, $10MM. $3.25MM assured.
• A.J. Inexperienced, WR: One yr, $3.5MM. $3MM assured.
• Andy Lee, P: One yr, $1.5MM. $750K assured.
• Maxx Williams, TE: One yr, $1.27MM.

In the end, the Cardinals have discovered a top quality tight finish. The Playing cards landed Ertz a bit late within the recreation, with the ex-Eagle’s first full season in Arizona coming forward of his thirty second birthday. However, contemplating this crew’s historical past at this place, a top quality starter of any age ought to be embraced. Ertz debuted as a Cardinal on Oct. 24. His 574 receiving yards in 11 video games had been greater than any Cardinal tight finish compiled in a season for the reason that franchise relocated to Arizona in 1988.

After earlier regimes tried and didn’t employees this job, the franchise took a break on devoting a lot effort to staffing this place lately. Ertz because the Eleventh-highest-paid tight finish represents good worth for the crew, and it ought to fill one of many NFL’s most troublesome wants for at the very least the following two seasons. Ertz had sought a deal on the George Kittle–Travis Kelce airplane, however the Eagles balked and as a substitute rewarded his alternative (Dallas Goedert) quickly after the midseason commerce. Much less-than-ideal Philly ending apart, Ertz did nicely for himself with Arizona. The Playing cards retaining Ertz for $10.6MM per yr in March doubled pretty much as good timing, given how David Njoku‘s $13.7MM-AAV contract disrupted the market this yr.

Conner did even higher for himself. After signing a one-year, $1.75MM deal in 2021, the ex-Steeler starter rewarded the Cardinals (and quite a few fantasy GMs that took mid-round swings) with an 18-touchdown season. Solely David Johnson‘s outlier 2016 produced extra in a Cardinals season. The crew missed in extending Johnson, who admittedly was caught on some unhealthy groups after his three-year, $39MM accord. However that was a top-market deal on the time. Conner’s pact, together with Leonard Fournette‘s Buccaneers deal and Austin Ekeler‘s wildly Chargers-friendly accord, successfully establishes a veteran center class at a place by which non-top-tier veterans yearly run into grim markets.

This works out nicely for Conner, whose $13.5MM assure ranks ninth amongst backs. The most cancers survivor’s 3.7-yard common deceives barely, since he typically was referred to as upon in short-yardage conditions. He supplied stable floor and air assist to a Playing cards crew brief on obtainable offensive expertise down the stretch final season. Turning his healthiest season right into a career-defining payday is a feel-good story at a place that doesn’t produce too a lot of them anymore. With Edmonds in Miami, nonetheless, the Playing cards are making a dangerous wager that Conner — who gathered accidents requiring absences in every of his 4 Pittsburgh seasons and went down with a heel illness late final yr — can keep on the sector to justify this fee.

The Giants’ weird Mike Glennon-over-McCoy QB2 transfer might nicely have led to Brian Daboll‘s HC alternative, with Joe Decide doubtlessly avoiding a pink slip had the crew merely introduced again McCoy. As an alternative, McCoy enhanced his backup-QB file by making certain the Playing cards survived Murray’s hamstring damage. Arizona’s two McCoy-led wins had been relatively necessary to their postseason trigger. The Playing cards are planning to rely on the veteran by his age-37 season, although. Murray’s damage previous reveals the backup will in all probability be wanted throughout that span.

Inexperienced is close to the tip, and the crew getting into the season with the ex-Bengal nice as its No. 2 wideout could also be dicey. However the 34-year-old injury-prone performer is a greater wager, wear-and-tear-wise, to provide in September than December. He will probably be wanted extra early. Nonetheless, Inexperienced attending to 848 yards (15.7 per catch) and serving to a Hopkins-less crew to the playoffs is a pleasant bonus for his Corridor of Fame hopes. Another yr of possession-receiving work will additional burnish his Canton credentials.

Notable losses:

The Cardinals selected their third- and fourth-priciest UFAs to retain, concluding their Jones and Kirk partnerships. On one hand, the Cardinals’ Jones interval labored out nice for the crew. A yr after the Broncos made Von Miller the NFL’s highest-paid defender, the Cardinals tagged Jones and labored out an extension that got here in practically $3MM under Miller’s. Jones outproduced Miller (and most different go rushers) for a lot of the late 2010s, however the Cardinals held him to that $16.5MM-per-year extension. Beating the Patriots in a commerce for Jones, who turned a two-time All-Professional in Arizona, could also be a pleasant sweetener right here for Keim. However Jones’ departure creates a void for a Cardinals crew with increased hopes than many of the Jones-years squads carried.

Jones requested a commerce and reluctantly returned, enjoying on a contract that, by the point the season began, trailed the brand new edge rusher wage chief (T.J. Watt‘s $28MM AAV) by greater than $10MM. Inferior edges additionally handed Jones, who missed his window to earn a $20MM-AAV accord. Though the Cardinals probably acquired Jones’ greatest years, he expressed little want to remain. And the crew didn’t make a serious funding to exchange its high go rusher. Jones’ Raiders signing will place extra stress on Markus Golden, whose 11-sack season undoubtedly could be partially credited to Jones’ presence, and on J.J. Watt to remain wholesome.

Davante Adams could also be credited with beginning the receiver-market avalanche, however Kirk set that chain of occasions in movement. The Jaguars surprising the NFL world with their four-year, $72MM accord — primarily a two-year, $37MM contract — reminded of Sammy Watkins‘ $16MM-per-year Chiefs deal 4 years in the past. Whereas Watkins’ pact preceded a number of receivers shifting previous his overpayment, Kirk ignited a far greater sea change. His $18MM-per-year deal fell from seventh amongst receivers on March 14 to 18th when Diontae Johnson‘s deal got here to go on August 4.

Both manner, the Cardinals pivoted to Brown, who will undoubtedly profit from his Arizona WR2 predecessor’s monster contract. Kirk, 25, turned an important Playing cards cog in Hopkins’ absence. However Brown and Inexperienced got here cheaper as a pair, for 2022 anyway.

Edmonds acquired a pleasant Dolphins deal (two years, $12.1MM; $6.1MM assured) and will see his obligations enhance. The Cardinals opted for Conner over their four-year change-of-pace again, who averaged 5.1 yards per keep it up a career-high 116 totes final season. Kingsbury and Co. had been cautious to not overwork Edmonds (150 and 159 contact totals in 2020 and ’21), however Benjamin and Williams can have a manufacturing void to fill after two stable years from the previous fourth-round decide.

After giving Hicks permission to hunt a commerce, upon drafting yet one more off-ball linebacker in Spherical 1 (Collins), the Cardinals saved the veteran and couldn’t discover ample trigger to take him off the sector. Hicks’ Arizona defensive snap percentages went 100-92-97 from 2019-21, a stretch that revived the once-injury-prone Eagle’s profession. This principally saved Collins within the storage as a rookie. The Playing cards had motive to half methods with the seven-year vet, needing to see what they’ve in Collins and needing money to maintain Ertz and Conner. However Hicks definitely produced on the four-year, $34MM deal he inked in 2019.

Draft:

Second- and third-round picks at this place haven’t been unusual for the Playing cards, who’ve used 4 Day 2 (or Day 1, making use of the pre-2010 draft schedule) on tight ends since 2006 — Leonard Pope, Rob Housler, Troy Niklas, McBride. McBride marks the primary such funding in eight years, nonetheless, and joins Ertz as a part of this oddly potent-looking Playing cards tight finish corps. McBride’s rookie contract will slot properly alongside Ertz’s eight-figure AAV, and the Mountain West product could possibly be poised to take over by 2024.

In a position to line up as an in-line tight finish or in a receiver spot, McBride was the primary tight finish off the board. He is among the few 1,000-yard tight ends (1,121 final season) to emerge within the faculty ranks this century, and whereas The Athletic’s Dane Brugler referred to as him a greater Hayden Hurst, Ertz’s presence will permit for an extended bridge to full-time responsibility. That is much like how the Eagles performed it with Ertz and Goedert, although it’s fascinating to see Keim give Kingsbury — identified 10 personnel aficionado that he’s — a decent finish with the crew’s high draft alternative.

Going from Jones to 2 third-rounders on the sting will probably be a raffle for the Playing cards, however the crew wanted to commit sources right here. Thomas profiles as a extra highly effective rusher than Sanders, who flashed higher pace — which confirmed up on the Mix, when the latter’s 4.67 40-yard time ranked ninth amongst D-linemen — as an edge participant. Thomas (10.5 sacks, 20.5 tackles for loss in 2021) outproduced him in faculty. With Arizona’s Devon Kennard signing not figuring out, an excessive amount of accountability seems on Golden’s shoulders. The Cardinals must get one thing from Thomas and/or Sanders this season.

Extensions and restructures:

It stays weird Murray receiving a $46.1MM-per-year contract — behind solely Aaron Rodgers — and amassing that monster assure (behind solely Deshaun Watson) turned afterthoughts as his months-long negotiations concluded in traditionally unusual vogue. The unbiased examine clause the Cardinals initially included on this deal might be justified, however Keim and Co. insisting on it could have broken this relationship — as a lot as one could be broken when a nine-figure assure is concerned — by inserting big-picture doubt a couple of franchise centerpiece’s work ethic. This turned a one-of-a-kind ending to a negotiation, which doubled because the highest-profile contract matter in trendy Cardinals historical past.

Whereas Murray and his agent agreed to the cope with that clause included, it clunkily being eliminated — after the two-time Professional Bowler felt compelled to defender himself — stained the method. The ex-Heisman winner’s 2021 feedback to the New York Instances concerning movie examine got here together with real Cardinals issues about his dedication degree, which is a crimson flag for a participant who simply signed a greater contract than these given to Patrick Mahomes or Josh Allen. Setting apart Murray and his agent’s offseason agenda, the Cardinals might have successfully compelled him to play on his rookie deal in 12 months 4. Save for Le’Veon Bell or Vincent Jackson, the latter holding out of the 2010 season by Week 10, trendy NFLers don’t sit out seasons. A fourth rookie-deal yr would have allowed the Cardinals a greater reply as to Murray’s trajectory, however they practiced appeasement with this early extension.

The Dolphins, Eagles and Rams’ failures in pre-12 months 4 QB extensions (Ryan Tannehill, Carson Wentz, Jared Goff) come to thoughts right here. Though antennae are up for this case sinking to related depths, Murray’s expertise degree — when wholesome, which was the case within the first half of the previous two seasons — gives a degree of upward mobility these conditions didn’t. Murray’s unwillingness to make the most of his legs final season, at the very least in comparison with his first two years, did maintain him again. For the Cardinals to get probably the most out of their undersized passer on this contract, Murray must be nearer to his 2020 model (133 carries, 819 yards, 11 touchdowns).

Keim (with a heavy push from Kingsbury) turned out to be proper in diving again into the primary spherical for Murray, punting on Josh Rosen after one season and becoming a member of the 1982-83 Baltimore Colts as the one groups to take QBs in back-to-back first rounds. The Cardinals have a homegrown franchise-caliber QB for the primary time — all due respect to Jake Plummer, who peaked in Denver — for the reason that Nineteen Eighties. How the events acquired right here ought to immediate hesitancy concerning the trio’s future collectively, however Murray avoiding accidents and staying on the Professional Bowl tier in 2022 will quiet a few of the noise surrounding this late-summer fiasco.

Humphries’ extension numbers are a bit uncommon. Beforehand due without cost company in March, Humphries accepted a modest elevate — by NFL requirements — in signing for barely $17MM per yr. His earlier deal — agreed to in 2020 — got here in at simply lower than $15MM per yr. Humphries, 28, bailed on one other under-30 crack at free company to signal the Twelfth-highest sort out contract (AAV-wise). The Cardinals did nicely to persuade their longtime left sort out to go ahead with this pact, however with the cap again on the rise, Humphries might have pushed this to the 2023 league yr to attract a franchise tag or journey into free company for the primary time.

The Cardinals don’t make use of an elite left sort out, however the 2015 first-rounder has loved sturdy stretches. PFF slotted him as a top-five sort out in 2020. Humphries does have an damage historical past, and maybe that performed into his accepting upper-middle-class (NFL-wise, that’s) cash now. However he has missed only one recreation over the previous three seasons. Coming off his first Professional Bowl as nicely, the ex-Florida Gator seems to have accomplished the Cardinals a favor. They may use the assistance, contemplating three O-line starters (Pugh, Rodney Hudson, Kelvin Beachum) are north of 30 and each Pugh and Hudson contemplated retirement this offseason.

Different:

Permitted to rent three coaches as a GM, regardless of being on a string of three straight playoff absences on the time of rent No. 3, Keim has additionally made three large quarterback acquisitions (Carson Palmer, Rosen and Murray). The GM’s sketchy first-round historical past (Jonathan Cooper, Deone Bucannon, Robert Nkemdiche, Rosen) is considerably countered by a robust Day 2 acumen (Tyrann Mathieu, John Brown, Budda Baker, Byron Murphy). (Utilizing solely a Day 2 decide and alter to amass Hopkins bolsters Keim’s fame, too.) However the Rosen decide and Steve Wilks one-and-done occurring in the identical yr as Keim’s excessive DUI arrest made it considerably stunning the Cardinals let him begin over with Kingsbury and Murray. Keim, 49, continues to outlive. He’s now signed by 2027, locked in as the manager department of the Cardinals’ core triumvirate.

Whereas Kingsbury going from 5 to eight to 11 wins in his three seasons represents progress, the Cardinals have completed 2-6 (2020) and 3-5 over the previous two years. The latter skid culminated in one of many uglier wild-card losses in latest NFL historical past. Kingsbury, 43, did take the reins of a franchise not identified for stringing collectively profitable seasons. Over the previous 45 years, the Playing cards have made the playoffs in consecutive seasons simply twice (2008-09, 2014-15). The bar is decrease right here.

The Playing cards have additionally completed nineteenth and fifteenth in offensive DVOA over the previous two seasons, respectively, tailing off as Murray accidents (a November 2020 shoulder sprain and an October 2021 excessive ankle sprain) sapped the stretch-run capabilities of every squad. In fact, Kingsbury main the cost for Murray doesn’t permit the ex-Texas Tech HC to make use of the QB’s sturdiness issues as an excuse. However Murray and Hopkins’ unavailability or limitations throughout final season’s second half would nonetheless appear to warrant mulligan consideration. Michael Bidwill evidently thought so, as he’s now paying Kingsbury by 2027. The consecutive late-season swoons would give the looks of a warming seat, however Kingsbury’s contract nixed that notion.

Moore and Antoine Wesley‘s presences ought to give the Cardinals some depth, however Hopkins’ 2021 absence left a obtrusive void. Murray’s damage and a return to a largely Hopkins-less offense keyed his late-season decline and the Playing cards’ descent to a low-wattage, station-to-station offense. The Texans haven’t any likelihood at belated successful that wildly panned 2020 commerce, however Hopkins lacking a season’s price of video games between 2021 and ’22 makes his $27.25MM-per-year wage damage. The figures that gave Hopkins the earlier receiver AAV lead present up in 2023 and ’24, when his cap hits test in at $30.8MM and $26.2MM.

That amplifies the stress on the previous All-Professional to ship post-suspension in his age-30 season. It’s nonetheless tough to imagine the Cardinals could be true contenders with out Hopkins, whose profession concerned scant damage absences (two missed video games from 2013-20) till final season. That bodes nicely for a 2022 bounce-back effort.

The Cardinals had been one among three groups to expertise an offseason tragedy. Gladney’s deadly Could 30 automobile accident got here barely two months after the Playing cards gave him a second likelihood. Out of soccer as a result of a home violence arrest (he was later acquitted by a jury), Gladney signed with Arizona on a two-year, $6.5MM deal. The previous Vikings first-round decide solely performed one NFL season. Within the aftermath, Kingsbury indicated the crew had the place on its radar in June. However no notable signings have taken place.

Prime 10 cap fees for 2022:

1. DeAndre Hopkins, WR: $17.95MM
2. J.J. Watt, DL: $15.9MM
3. Budda Baker, S: $14.76MM
4. Kyler Murray, QB: $12.67MM
5. Rodney Hudson, C: $12.61MM
6. D.J. Humphries, T: $12.6MM
7. Justin Pugh, G: $7.5MM
8. Isaiah Simmons, LB: $5.64MM
9. Zach Ertz, TE: $4.75MM
10. Matt Prater, Okay: $4.5MM

The Cardinals have some cornerstone younger expertise, a Murray- and Baker-led contingent, however this isn’t an particularly younger crew. Six of Arizona’s offensive starters are over 30, and Conner is on a second working again contract. The crew’s high two go rushers — Watt and Golden — are every north of 31. If this Murray contract pans out, one other core will type across the star passer within the coming years. For now, the one headed by Hopkins and Watt is relatively unstable as a result of age and availability issues.

Final yr’s 10-2 begin does sign this nucleus is able to sturdy play, however lots must go proper — even within the shallower of the 2 conferences — for this yr’s Cardinals to be a menace for a deep playoff run. However probably the most gifted quarterback in crew historical past is locked down. So is the HC-GM combo. In the long run, the franchise did test off its key offseason bins. Will they find yourself being the fitting selections?