The New England Patriots offered a contract to star free agent wide receiver DeAndre Hopkins according to ESPN’s Dianna Russini.

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.”

Whether or not the New England Patriots sign star wide receiver DeAndre Hopkins will “come down to” one thing.

“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.”

DeAndre Hopkins could not keep off of social media during his free agency visit with the New England Patriots on Thursday, June 15.

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.

It seemed to be a foregone conclusion that Vic Fangio was going to be the next defensive coordinator for the Philadelphia Eagles. All signs were pointing in that direction after Super Bowl LVII until a tampering investigation put everything on hold.

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.

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.

DeAndre Hopkins raised the eyebrows of New England Patriots fans on Monday, May 29.

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.”

With DeAndre Hopkins out the door with the Arizona Cardinals, he could walk right into Foxborough with the New England Patriots.

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.”

The New England Patriots’ rumored trade interest in Arizona Cardinals star wide receiver DeAndre Hopkins took a new twist on Monday, May 22.

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.

Ben Stille did not spend a lot of time without a team after being let go by the Cleveland Browns.

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.”

Dez Bryant wants quarterback Dak Prescott to push the Dallas Cowboys to make a trade for Arizona Cardinals receiver DeAndre Hopkins.

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.

The Arizona Cardinals are getting closer and closer to finalizing their roster. There are plenty of question marks along the way, although the majority of the roster has plenty of talent.

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.

The Arizona Cardinals remain involved in a number of trade discussions. One includes Chicago Bears linebacker Roquan Smith, and one analyst even suggested that Bears OL Teven Jenkins could be headed to the desert.

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.

The Arizona Cardinals are the subject of a lot of rumors right now, including one in which Chicago Bears linebacker Roquan Smith has been mentioned as a potential trade target. Adding Smith could put Arizona’s defense over the top, but the price for him would be massive.

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.

The Arizona Cardinals might be making some moves before the NFL regular season beings in September.

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.

The Arizona Cardinals kicked off the preseason with a 36-23 victory over the Cincinnati Bengals.

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.

The Arizona Cardinals are gearing up for their first preseason game against the Cincinnati Bengals.

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.

The Arizona Cardinals aren’t going to just sit around and wait for the season to begin.

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.

The Arizona Cardinals disappointed down the stretch at the end of the 2021 season. The playoff performance against the Los Angeles Rams was also discouraging, although the Rams going on to win the Super Bowl softened that blow a little bit.

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.

The Arizona Cardinals are apparently not done adding to their roster. With the start of the regular season approaching quickly, general manager Steve Keim is still doing his best to add to the roster.

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.

The Arizona Cardinals are fully entrenched in training camp as they prepare for the 2022 season. Thankfully, the ongoing question of Kyler Murray’s contract finally got resolved with a $230 million extension that will keep him in the desert for a long time. 

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. 

The Arizona Cardinals were far from done when it came to free agent signings this offseason. In their most recent move, they officially signed two defensive linemen. They were able to get former Packers defensive tackle Christian Ringo and former Colts defensive tackle Antwaun Woods. To make these signings the Cardinals had to release tight end David Wells and defensive lineman Matt Dickerson.

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.

The Arizona Cardinals heard the wide-ranging backlash and have amended Kyler Murray’s newly signed contract to strike out the ‘Independent Study’ clause. The franchise’s highest-paid player ever was inked to a five-year deal that could be worth up to $230.5 million before training camp but only $160 million is guaranteed. Ian Rapoport reported the clause required four hours of extra game study per week and it “was important to the team making a commitment at that level.”

“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.”

The recent contract between the Arizona Cardinals and star quarterback Kyler Murray has been the topic of discussion lately. Murray is not only becoming the second highest-paid quarterback in the National Football League, but his contract also includes some uber-interesting clauses.

The most raved about so far would have to be the requirement that Murray spends at least four hours per game week studying film independently. Many were quick to jump on this clause and claim it was a punishment for Murray, but for some it just made sense. Former NFL six-time Pro Bowler, 1973 MVP and Hall of Fame running back O.J. Simpson had his own take that he posted to Twitter following a boundless introduction.

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Simpson Goes Into Detail in Video About Murray’s Contract

“This is something I assume all quarterbacks do,” Simpson stated in a video on Twitter. “I had a friend that said to me this doesn’t make sense, this is a Pro Bowl-caliber player. Why are they doing this to him? This is embarrassing.”

Explain the situation he did, giving those who did not play professional football a perspective of his own.

“Let’s say I’m a running back in a trap play and my guard is supposed to trap, let’s say, [Los Angeles Rams defensive tackle] Aaron Donald,” Simpson said. “We run the play, [the guard] tries to block [Donald], he misses and I get tackled. That’s the way it goes. But if we ran the play and he didn’t go after Aaron and went after a linebacker or defensive end, and I get tackled by Aaron, I’m going to be pissed.”

Simpson then moved on to Murray.

“Kyler Murray’s dropping back to pass,” he said. “He has a primary receiver, and secondary receiver. That’s determined by what kind of defense [the opposing team is] running. Let’s say that the primary receiver ran his route and got open, but Kyler threw the ball to another guy and completed it, or took off and got a first down. The fans are cheering, and the announcers are saying he’s a Pro Bowl-caliber player, but that primary receiver is jogging back to the huddle with mixed emotions.

“On Monday, you look at the footage. And let’s say that happened four, five, or six times a game. That can’t happen, you need consistency, that’s what Bill Walsh and Belichick tell [their players]. You gotta be on the same page, because eventually it’s going to bite you in your butt, and you saw that happen in the playoffs. I suspect that’s why they want Kyler to study the defenses a little more and throw to the right guy.”

Simpson speculated that Murray’s admitted aversion to studying film could have resulted in his late-season derailment from the success the Cardinals had seen in the first half of 2021.

Between Week 13, and their 34-11 wild-card loss to the Los Angeles Rams, the Cardinals went 2-5. Murray threw for seven touchdown passes and five interceptions during that span, with an average competition percentage of 61.1% His average quarterback rating was also 65.1%. Simpson promises that if Murray can spend more time studying film and dedicating more time to his craft it will pay off.

NFL Insider Agrees With Contract Clause

“Kyler Murray does 4 hours of game studying on his own, anyway,” Ian Rapoport tweeted on July 25 in regard to the clause. “And similar to the team wanting him around for the offseason as the face of the franchise, AZ wanted a commitment in writing while going to a certain place money-wise. Thus, the clause”

Murray did not take it kindly that anyone could believe the notion he did not study film on his own.

Murray, who is entering his fourth season in the NFL, is expected by many to have a breakout season in which the Cardinals could become the third straight team to win the Super Bowl in its stadium.

The Arizona Cardinals will be entering the season without their top receiver, DeAndre Hopkins due to a six-game suspension. Everything is needed to go smoothly for the rest of the receiving core before he can return otherwise the Cardinals will have to start digging into their reserves. The other receiver who is making headlines currently is Marquise Brown, who suffered a hamstring injury during training camp this week and has been placed on the active non-football injury list.

The latest injury of Brown, although not critical, could potentially be trouble moving forward. Hamstring injuries are nothing to joke about and can turn serious out of nowhere, and has for many players in the past. For the 25-year-old wideout, he is looking to make a splash in his first season with the Cardinals after being acquired from the Baltimore Ravens on draft night. The last thing he needs is an injury to get in the way of that and potentially alter his future with the team. 

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Brown’s Role On The Cardinals This Season

“I would say his comfort level is farther ahead than he would be having played at OU in a similar type system,” Kingsbury said when interviewed by ESPN’s Josh Weinfuss. “I would say verbiage-wise, formationally, things like that, but he has tremendous speed. We feel like the comfort level he has with Kyler Murray, he throws with him all the time, is a great kind of bonus to that icing on the cake.”

Even with such little experience in practice, Kingsbury is confident that Brown will soar beyond expectations and fit into their offense. Coming off of a season where Brown had a career-low six touchdowns, he is going to be much more important in 2022. On the other hand, he marked a career-high 1,008 yards and 91 receptions. Brown is on a mission to prove his doubters wrong after he believed the Ravens were not a good fit for him. Kingsbury and star quarterback Murray seem to be just the group to help him. In a year where Brown is looking to break more of his career highs, it is essential he stays healthy and gives his hamstring the time it needs to fully heal.

History Of Minor Injuries For Brown Shows Concern

For many athletes, an injury can be short-term, long term or even career-ending. For many, a build-up of minor injuries in one region can begin to show red flags. For Brown, the only injuries he’s sustained in his career were all on his right leg, according to draftsharks.com. This began in December of 2018, with a pedal foot sprain in his last season in college for the Oklahoma Sooners. Brown was dealt the same injury 11 months later, during his rookie season but it had not been serious, thankfully. Between his second and third year in the National Football League, he sustained a pedal lisfranc fracture, two knee patella sprains, grade two thigh hamstring strain, pedal ankle sprain and a thigh glute strain. With the recent injury during training camp, it is nothing to over exaggerate, but instead to simply notice. 

There is more than a month until the regular season opener at home against the Kansas City Chiefs and two weeks until the Cardinals head to Cincinnati to take on the Bengals in their first preseason matchup. This gives Brown plenty of time to rest and recover before his time to shine is here.

The Arizona Cardinals’ $230 million commitment to quarterback Kyler Murray raised eyeballs throughout the NFL, but whether it reshapes the quarterback market in the future remains to be seen.

Cardinals general manager Steve Keim left little doubt that the organization is behind Murray, and head coach Kliff Kingsbury, given the hefty financial commitment to the 24-year-old signal caller.

“This is as much about doubling down on Kliff Kingsbury as it is rewarding Kyler Murray,” Heavy contributor and former NFL Executive of The Year Randy Mueller said by phone.

However, given the heavy financial commitment, the contract’s clause mandating Murray study four hours of film each week indicates a healthy amount of skepticism that Murray will be able to break through to become one of the NFL’s truly elite quarterbacks.

“I have done hundreds of contracts over the years,” Mueller said. “Including many, many first-round picks. I’ve negotiated multi-million dollar free agent deals, and I have never heard of a clause like this. I’ve never even thought about why you would do this, until now.

“I think it’s set everybody back, wondering why, but it gives credence about the doubters of Kyler Murray that have been out there since Day 1.”

Last season was the first time Murray led the Cardinals to the postseason, falling to the eventual Super Bowl champion Rams, 34-11, in a game he completed just 19-of-34 attempts with two interceptions.

Murray’s Cardinals raced out to a 7-0 start to the 2021 campaign, before limping across the finish line by losing four of their final five games, en route to an 11-6 finishing and first-round exit from the postseason.

Now, they’ve committed over $200 million to Murray.

“[Murray] sent out a ransom letter, and they kind of took heed to it,” Mueller explains.

Murray, who owns a career 22-23-1 record, is now the third-highest paid quarterback by total contract value, and his $46.1 AAV is second only to reigning MVP Aaron Rodgers.

However, Mueller was quick to dismiss any thought that this contract will now be the benchmark for how deals are negotiated this year and beyond.

“I don’t think it’s going to have the effect that some might think,” Mueller said. “I think most of the league sees it as Kyler being Kliff’s guy.”

Who Benefits Most From Murray’s Extension?

All eyes are on Lamar Jackson.

Jackson reported to training camp this week, and with an MVP award in tow, the Baltimore Ravens star could be well on his way to a Murray-sized commitment.

While Jackson has yet to deliver much in the way of postseason success — and neither has Murray — the former first-round pick has guided the Ravens to a 37-12 record in games that he has started, and owns an 84-31 touchdown-to-interception ratio, on top of being one of the game’s most electrifying playmakers at the position.

If Jackson can put it all together this season, and lead the Ravens to a playoff victory, Murray’s contract may just be the starting point for his financial ceiling.

“It may impact any Lamar Jackson deal,” Mueller said. “Especially when it comes to average per year.”

But, Jackson isn’t the only quarterback who will be studying Murray’s deal closely…

What Jalen Hurts Must Do to Earn Murray-Type Contract

Perhaps the only player across the NFL more excited about Murray’s mega-extension than the Cardinals quarterback himself is Philadelphia Eagles quarterback Jalen Hurts.

Hurts is entering a pivotal third NFL season, his second as the Eagles’ starter, that just might determine his future, as well as Philadelphia’s at the position.

“I think the Eagles have done right by Jalen Hurts,” Mueller said. “I am a believer in Jalen Hurts, and I would go all-in on Jalen Hurts, at some point.”

As September approaches, though, there may not be a more polarizing quarterback in the league than Hurts, especially when it comes to whether the Eagles should make a Murray-sized commitment to him.

“If I were representing Jalen Hurts, I would be fighting tooth and nail for Kyler Murray money. But, I’m not sure they are anywhere near the same class of quarterback,” an agent familiar with the quarterback market told Heavy.

The agent’s sentiment is a popular one, inside league circles, but also one that Hurts has the opportunity to dramatically alter this fall.

“The difference between [Murray] and Hurts,” Mueller explained. “Is Jalen has gotten progressively better. If you study him at Oklahoma to his first year with the Eagles, to where he is at this moment today, you can see progression along the way. He has all the intangibles. He has all the leadership. He has everything I would line up behind. I just haven’t seen Kyler with the same progression.”

Eagles general manager Howie Roseman has done a masterful job of building one of the game’s premier offensive lines, and bolstering Hurts’ supporting cast via this spring’s draft night blockbuster to acquire star wide receiver A.J. Brown from the Tennessee Titans.

Brown arrives in an offense loaded with playmakers, including second-year wide receiver DeVonta Smith, running back Miles Sanders, and tight end Dallas Goedert.

So, what must Hurts, who tossed only 4 fewer touchdowns in his first season as a starter than Murray’s 20 as a rookie in 2019, and helped guide the Eagles to a playoff berth in 2021, need to do in order to cash in?

“He needs to lead them to the playoffs rather than ride them to the playoffs,” an AFC Offensive coordinator told Heavy, on the condition of anonymity to speak freely about another team.

Last season, Hurts completed 61.3% of his passes for 3,144 yards with 16 touchdowns to 9 interceptions, as the Eagles reached the NFC playoffs as a Wild Card, but were largely led by the NFL’s top rushing offense.

“For him to make that leap, it starts with staying healthy,” the coordinator says. “But, he’s going to have to prove he can make a throw on third down, and especially in the red zone.”

Mueller agrees, suggesting that in order for the Eagles to be fully confident in moving forward with Hurts long-term, the passing game from the pocket must improve, but that falls as much on head coach Nick Sirianni and the play-calling, as it does Hurts.

Hurts has the benefit of a second season in Sirianni’s offense, and a vastly improved supporting cast. However, as the coordinator points out, must dramatically improve Hurts is just a career-50% passer on third down, which in tight games stalled drives could make all the difference.

But, both Hurts and the Eagles have to be encouraged by the fact that 16 of his 31 career touchdowns have been thrown from inside the 20-yard line, which also happens to be where Brown has pulled down 58% of his touchdowns.

“Jalen’s really made great strides as a pocket passer,” Mueller said. “They just don’t do it a lot. It’s not his fault, he isn’t calling the plays. They have to advance their passing game, and believe in him.”

So, where do the Eagles — who own a pair of first-round picks in the 2023 NFL draft — go with Hurts?

“It’s all on Jalen,” Mueller said. “He has to advance. But, if he advances this year, I could see him getting paid in the neighborhood of Derek Carr, and his $121 million deal.”

The Arizona Cardinals made Kyler Murray the franchise’s highest-paid player ever before training camp opened, as was Kliff Kingsbury’s plan. The five-year deal could be worth up to $230.5 million but only $160 million is guaranteed. Ian Rapoport reports “there is an addendum that requires 4 hours of ‘independent study’ per game week. It was important to the team making a commitment at that level, thus it was important to Murray.”

The now second-highest paid player in the NFL by average annual salary will not have to put in these hours during the bye week. However, this clause takes effect on “the first Monday after the conclusion of training camp…and ending with the last game on the Club’s schedule, including any post-season games.”

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Specifically, the 2018 Heisman Trophy winner is required to study “the material provided to him by the club in order to prepare for the Club’s next upcoming game, including without limitation any such material provided via iPad or other electronic device. Time spent in mandatory meetings will not constitute Independent Study. Player shall receive no credit for Independent Study for any period during which Player does not personally study the provided material in good faith.”

Furthermore, “for the avoidance of doubt, (Murray) shall not receive any credit for Independent Study with respect to any time periods during which any material is displayed or played on an iPad or other electronic device if (a) Player is not personally studying or watching the material while it is being displayed or played  or (b) Player is engaged in any other activity that may distract his attention.”

Examples given were “watching television, playing video games or browsing the internet” while the newly-signed franchise quarterback is supposed to be studying. Failure to adhere to the schedule would mean Murray would be in “default” of the contract.

Rappaport followed up his tweet with a retweet explaining, “Kyler Murray does 4 hours of game studying on his own, anyway. And 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.”

Timeline of Public Contract Negotiations by Kyler, Cardinals

The Arizona Cardinals made the postseason for the first time since 2015 with Kyler Murray under center. The 34-11 loss to the eventual champion Los Angeles Rams showed the team how far they were from Super Bowl contention. The sides seemingly started the contract extension negotiations further apart than expected, which lead to some public comments and social media scrubbing during Pro Bowl week.

Murray had to dispel rumors of friction within the team just weeks after the January 17 playoff defeat, saying it was all “nonsense.” Erik Burkhardt, Murray’s agent, tweeted on February 28 a statement declaring “actions speak much louder than words in this business…Kyler remains hopeful that the organization choses (sic) to commit so that he can continue leading the Cardinals to further success and value for many years to come.”

The contract was completed on July 21. Training camp opens fully when veterans report on July 26. The Cardinals have Kyler signed up through 2028.

As many teams around the National Football League have come forth with their alternate helmets for the 2022 campaign, the Arizona Cardinals were among that list. The sleek black helmets feature a black facemask, and small red speckles across the helmet that will be worn in three games this upcoming season, including their color rush game. This will give the Cardinals the opportunity to have a blackout uniform game which has been implemented across the football world on many occasions. 

The Cardinals will join 12 other franchises in donning alternate helmets for this year including the Bears, Bengals, Commanders, Cowboys, Eagles, Falcons, Giants, Jets, Panthers, Saints and Texans. Following the lifting of the one-shell policy in June of 2021, many teams have taken it upon themselves to rock the best alternate helmet in the NFL when the 2022 season ensues. 

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Cardinals Players Admire New Alternate Helmet

“The look of this helmet is so incredibly sharp and something I know that both our players and fans will absolutely love,” Cardinals owner Michael Bidwill stated. “We are excited to showcase them this season, especially on a national stage.”

This helmet is sure to turn heads and from the moment it was presented to some of the top players on the roster, it was met with looks of awe. It is surely a far cry from what the Cardinals’ faithful have been used to seeing over the past half-century. 

“I like that it’s new and different,” defensive end J.J. Watt said in reaction to seeing the helmet for the first time. “It’s cool. It’s going to look good under the lights with the black uniforms… I assume it hits people just as hard as with the other helmets, so I’m looking forward to that.”

For a franchise that has only used their primary white helmets since 1959, minus minor tweaks it marks a new age for the Arizona Cardinals gameday swag. Since unveiling the new helmet, it has received much praise and players are more than ready to wear them.

“I see the red sparkles in there— I think that’s the best part of it,” Pro Bowl safety Budda Baker said after laying his eyes upon the helmet. “It looks black but it has like a chrome-ish red look, those are going to look real clean. Play good, look good, feel good for sure.”

When You Can Expect to See the Helmets in Action

As previously mentioned, the helmets will be worn in three games for the Cardinals this season, giving fans enough chances to relish in the rare look for the franchise. The first matchup will be on August 21, during the preseason matchup against the Baltimore Ravens. This will be the first game since 1958 that the team is wearing a non-white helmet. 

Moving onto the regular season, the Cardinals will again wear the black helmets at home taking on the Eagles on October 9. The final time they will wear them is on Thursday Night Football, scheduled for October 20, in Arizona against the Saints. 

Each time they play in their black helmets they will also be in black jerseys, giving the full blackout effect for fans to enjoy. Heading into a pivotal season for the Cardinals a little bit of a wardrobe change might bring fresh energy to the locker room in their pursuit for their first Super Bowl victory. The Cardinals will kick off their season at home on September 11, against the Kansas City Chiefs.

The Arizona Cardinals knew J.J. Watt‘s All-World on-field talent was a testament to his off-field character. The 2017 Walter Payton Man of the Year award recipient was known as much for his philanthropy as his physicality, especially after raising over $40 million for Hurricane Harvey relief while playing for the Houston Texans. Watt has stepped up again, helping a fan with their grandfather’s funeral expenses after seeing their fundraising tweet.

The fan, Jennifer Simpson, sent a tweet stating they had some J.J Watt women’s edition Reebok shoes and a Watt women’s extra large Texans jersey for sale for a combined total of $90. It took Watt just 20 minutes to respond and extend a hand, saying “we’ll help with the funeral. I’m sorry for your loss.”

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Simpson replied, “I freaking love you man. It’s been a hard year for me, and this last month has been hard since the death. I wish I could tell you my story.”

The three-time NFL Defensive Player of the Year also paid for the funerals of six victims of a fatal car crash into a Christmas parade in Wisconsin and the 2018 Santa Fe High School shooting victims, which Watt publically called “absolutely horrific.”

Watt will report to training camp after a full offseason to strengthen his surgically repaired shoulder. He did make a return last season after suffering a torn labrum, bicep, and rotator cuff in addition to dislocating his shoulder in October against the Houston Texans. The move was feared to be season-ending but Watt made it back for the 34-11 playoff loss versus the Los Angeles Rams, recording just one solo tackle.

Cardinals Counting on Watt to Help Defense Do More With Less

Arizona has brought in Hollywood Brown to help Kliff Kingbury and Deandre Hopkins make Kyler Murray’s job easier. The Cardinals also gave their franchise cornerstone quarterback a historic five-year, $230 million contract extension. J.J. Watt will lead a defense making a combined total of just over $88 million this season. The Vance Joseph-led unit will have to do more with less to lead the team back to the postseason.

Even with Watt’s $15.9 million cap hit, the entire defensive line will earn $28 million combined. The unit’s wages rank 22nd overall. The linebackers and defensive backs are both 15th on the NFL’s earnings charts. The offensive line, in contrast, is the highest-paid line in the league. The offense is the 5th-best-paid group.

Watt played only seven games along the line last season, notching 12 tackles and 1 sack with 2 passes defended. The line was depleted once Rashard Lawrence and Zach Allen picked up knocks to join Watt on the injury report. The safety combo of Budda Baker and Jalen Thompson can help the corners patrol the passing lanes but they need more pressure from the highest-paid player up front.

Baker has made four Pro Bowls in five seasons and Thompson led the team in tackles last year. Linebacker Isaiah Simmons was used in drop coverages while Markus Golden and Zaven Collins worried about running plays. However, all three have to deal with too much traffic when the defensive line does not attract double teams.

Cornerbacks Byron Murphy Jr. and Marco Wilson are in different prove-it situations. The 24-year-old Murphy Jr. will soon be looking for a contract extension after snagging four interceptions last season. Wilson needs a good second year to solidify his future with the team. The defense is depending on Watt to help make everyone’s job easier during another playoff run.

The Arizona Cardinals and star quarterback Kyler Murray have officially come to terms on a new contract extending through the 2028 season. Murray will now be the second highest paid quarterback in the NFL, behind Aaron Rodgers of the Green Bay Packers. The contract is worth $230.5 million, with $160 million of that guaranteed. In total Murray, will bring in $46.1 million per year on average.

With training camp arriving July 26, there had been concern regarding the team’s contract negotiations with Murray, but the Cardinals were able to get the deal done when it mattered. After calling the 2021 campaign a “massive failure” following the Cardinals’ playoff loss to the Los Angeles Rams in the wild-card round, Murray kept Cardinals fans feeling uncertain about the offseason. During the Pro Bowl game on February 6, Murray even unfollowed the Cardinals on social media and deleted pictures related to the team.

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Murray’s Offseason Woes Following Early Playoff Exit

Following a collapse in which the Cardinals after losing six of their last 10 games, Murray seems to be preparing for a revenge tour in 2022. Murray said in a February interview with ESPN’s Chris Mortensen that he was embarrassed by the team’s playoff loss and felt he was unfairly scapegoated for how the season ended.

The next day, Murray took to Twitter to clear up his position on the rumors, saying, “All of this nonsense is not what I’m about, never has been, never will be.”

Then on February 28, Murray’s agent, Erik Burkhardt, tweeted about his client’s his desire for a long-term contract extension with the franchise that drafted him first overall in 2019 following a Heisman trophy-winning season with the Oklahoma Sooners.

“He absolutely wants to be your long term QB,” Burkhardt wrote in a statement.

For the Cardinals’ faithful, July 21 was a good day because it resolved long-simmering uncertainty.

This Year Could Provide Breakout Year for Murray

Murray, 24, has been inching toward his prime, and this year could be the year he breaks out as an elite quarterback. His completion percentage, yards per pass attempt and quarterback rating have improved each season of his three-year career. On top of winning Offensive Rookie of the Year in 2019, he has been a member of the Pro Bowl team for the past two seasons.

There will be plenty of weapons on the offensive side of the ball for Murray to utilize in his chase for glory. Fielding names like DeAndre Hopkins, A.J. Green, Marquise Brown, Rondale Moore, Zach Ertz and James Conner the options are endless. Although their star receiver, Hopkins, will miss the first six games due to suspension, there will be plenty of backups ready to make names for themselves.

Following a season where Murray threw for 3,787 yards and 24 touchdowns against 10 interceptions, there is an improvement to be made. With a player of Murray’s caliber, it is paramount that he takes another leap in his fourth season, and his teammates will be counting on him to lead them to the promised land. Finishing at 11-6 in 2021, Arizona under Murray had improved by three wins each season. If he continues to build off that trend this season, a first-round bye and Super Bowl appearance could be waiting.

When the Arizona Cardinals drafted Isaiah Simmons in the 2020 draft with the eighth overall pick there were high expectations set for the linebacker from Clemson. What happened over the next two seasons showed that Simmons was a valuable asset to the Cardinals’ defense. 

What was set up to be his sophomore season in 2021 felt more unorthodox than Simmons could have imagined. He would go on to play eight different positions over 2021. According to NFL Next Gen Stats, Simmons played at linebacker (324 snaps), edge rusher (207), outside linebacker (193), slot corner (139), inside defensive line, left corner, right corner, and safety. Having this much experience around the defense could come in handy in the future, especially at the linebacker position. 

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All Around Play Was Blessing In Disguise For Simmons

Having to play all of these positions in his third season has given him all-around experience, but not enough to be an expert at any given one. Now heading into his third season, Hudson is ready to give the Cardinals everything he has. 

“Just being able to go everywhere has just gave me, conceptually, more knowledge of our defense, which has been able to help me a lot,” Simmons said. “I mean, it’s a game of leverage, so knowing what your help is, is just, it’s been great.”

Although players usually stick to the same position for their career, Simmons has always been the player to go wherever he is needed on the gridiron. As he is projected to start at inside linebacker, calling the defense with sophomore Zaven Collins, his past experiences will only help him move forward.

“I’ve played multiple positions for as long as you guys have probably known my name,” Simmons said. “That’s just who I am.”

The 23-year-old linebacker also felt he needed to make it clear he could “dominate” at inside linebacker after the experiences of last season. Stepping up is one thing, but leading an Arizona defense that gave up the 12th least points, 11th least yards, and seventh in takeaways, will require hard work and dedication for the entire season. 

Simmons Attempts To Become Leader No Matter The Cost

Simmons is not only confident in his abilities but has now begun making noise throughout the Cardinals locker room. Filling such a role at only 23, he is not shying away from the big moment. His intentions may not have been realized until he gave J.J. Watt, arguably a first ballot hall of famer, criticism of his own. 

“I don’t really have a problem with saying something to anyone, because at the end of the day, I’m not really here to be anybody’s friend,” Simmons stated in response to his criticism of Watt. “We’re all trying to get to the Lombardi Trophy… If you don’t like what I’m saying, then you’re probably in it for the wrong reasons. Because I’m not saying anything to hurt anyone’s feelings or to call anyone out. It’s just all for the better of us.”

While it is clear Simmon’s intentions are good, it could deem foolish to go around calling out some of the biggest names in the locker room, especially one that you will share snaps with this season. Regardless, Watt is not the only player Simmons has expressed his concerns to, the other being his inside linebacker teammate, Collins whom he calls plays with. Respectfully, this is the kind of attitude that can bring teams closer together and help improve a unit for when it matters deep in a game or season.