The Cardinals aren’t done signing linebackers. After inking outside linebacker Terrell Suggs, Arizona has agreed to terms on a contract with inside linebacker Jordan Hicks, according to Ian Rapoport of NFL Network (Twitter link).
Rapoport reports the deal is for four years and $36MM. Hicks will get a $12MM signing bonus, and $20MM of the deal is fully guaranteed. Hicks comes to the desert from the Eagles, after spending the first four years of his career in Philadelphia. A third round pick in 2015, Hicks became a near-immediate starter in Philly.
Hicks has always been a good player when on the field, but he does have a somewhat lengthy injury history. His rookie season was cut short by a torn pectoral, and he missed the final nine games of the 2017 season after tearing his Achilles. He then missed four games last year with a calf injury. The Cardinals are signaling that they’ll be aggressive rebuilding their defense as they transition into the Kliff Kingsbury era.
It’s a lot of money to plunk down, but if Hicks can stay healthy he should be worth it. He earned great marks from Pro Football Focus last year, grading out as the tenth-best linebacker in the league by PFF’s metrics. New defensive coordinator Vance Joseph will be running a 3-4 defense in Arizona, and now the Cardinals have Hicks to play alongside 2017 first round pick Haason Reddick in the middle.
Now both cardinals have a Jordan hicks
I’m a huge Eagles fan, and hate to see Hicks leave for a litany of reasons. But my goodness, what I would give for the other Jordan Hicks. His fastball is absurd.
“Somewhat of an injury history” is putting it incredibly mildly. He’s been hurt constantly, and they’re usually soft tissue injuries. I.e., ones that aren’t just a result of bad luck like breaking your wrist. The Eagles must’ve been surprised at the guaranteed portion. I think they would’ve signed him to a Bradham-like deal. I bet if it were the same AAV, but “only” $12-15M guaranteed, the Birds would’ve likely gone for him. He’s just too injury prone to guarantee him at minimum two years.
Really wonder what Howie does from here. I guess he could go after Devin Bush (the other Devin will be long gone by pick #25), but Howie would resign from the Eagles before picking a LB in the first-round — especially in an incredibly deep DL (and OL to an extent) 2019 Draft. Where do you think the Birds go from here? They need a young, cheap, LB. Maybe the draft really is the only place to find a quality one. I know Mack Wilson from Bama could be there in the second-round, but I find it suspect that he didn’t run in any of the drills. Slow LBs, even if they come from LB-powerhouse Alabama, are problematic in the NFL.
It hurts. Top five in interceptions the last few years for linebackers. Great leader. Going to be a big loss. Yes he was injured a lot, but he was still there helping the guys that were stepping up for him. Eagles defense needs help and I don’t see it getting fixed by just the draft.
hope the kid has some luck in Arizona. Gonna need it to stave off tge injury bug.