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Arizona Cardinals News & Rumors

Cardinals Sign Kentrell Brice, Two Others

August 5th, 2020 at 5:16pm CST by Dallas Robinson

The Cardinals are expected to sign safety Kentrell Brice to a one-year deal, according to Ian Rapoport of NFL.com (Twitter link). Brice needs to pass a physical and a COVID-19 test before officially signing a pact.

Brice joined the Packers as an undrafted free agent in 2016 and appeared in 36 games over the next three seasons, including 10 starts in 2018. Since then, the 25-year-old has struggled to find playing time, but he’s been with the Buccaneers, Bears, and even had a short stint with the XFL’s Seattle Dragons.

The Cardinals already boast Budda Baker, Jalen Thompson, and Deionte Thompson atop their safety depth chart, so Brice will likely compete with fellow veteran Chris Banjo for special teams/reserve duty. Brice played nearly 300 special teams snaps back in 2016.

Arizona is also signing wide receiver Andre Patton and guard Koda Martin, according to Tom Pelissero of NFL.com (Twitter link) and Josh Weinfuss of ESPN.com (Twitter link), respectively.

Cardinals’ Marcus Gilbert Opts Out

August 4th, 2020 at 3:55pm CST by Zachary Links

Add Marcus Gilbert to the growing list of opt outs. The Cardinals tackle has decided against playing in 2020, as Adam Schefter of ESPN.com tweets. 

The Cardinals acquired Gilbert from the Steelers via trade in 2019, with the intention of installing him as their starting right tackle. Unfortunately, a knee injury forced Gilbert to injured reserve in early September. Gilbert has yet to play a down for the Cardinals, and his next opportunity to suit up won’t come until 2021. The veteran lineman appeared in just 12 total games from 2017-18 and he hasn’t played a full 16-game slate since 2015.

With Gilbert off the roster, the Cardinals could turn to Justin Murray or third-round rookie Josh Jones as their new first-string RT. Whoever wins that competition will play opposite of D.J. Humphries on the front line.

As of this writing, Gilbert is the 52nd player to opt out. NFL players have until Thursday afternoon to make the call, after which point the decision is irrevocable.

Minor NFL Transactions: 8/3/20

August 3rd, 2020 at 3:04pm CST by Zachary Links

We’ll keep track of today’s minor moves here. For the running list of opt out decisions, check out PFR’s 2020 Opt Out Tracker.

Arizona Cardinals

Baltimore Ravens

Cincinnati Bengals

Cleveland Browns

Detroit Lions

Green Bay Packers

  • Released: QB Jalen Morton, FB Elijah Wellman

Las Vegas Raiders

Miami Dolphins

  • Claimed off waivers (from Colts): CB Picasso Nelson

Minnesota Vikings

New Orleans Saints

New York Jets

San Francisco 49ers

Seattle Seahawks

Tennessee Titans

Washington Football Team

Minor NFL Transactions: 7/27/20

July 27th, 2020 at 9:06am CST by Zachary Links

Teams are trimming players earlier than usual this year, thanks to the NFL’s recommendation for an 80-man roster max. We’ll keep track of the latest minor moves here:

Arizona Cardinals

Baltimore Ravens

  • Waived: G Evan Adams, G Daishawn Dixon, T R.J. Prince, K Nick Vogel

Buffalo Bills

Cincinnati Bengals

  • Waived: CB Isiah Swann

Denver Broncos

Houston Texans

Kansas City Chiefs

Miami Dolphins

Philadelphia Eagles

Tennessee Titans

Cardinals Round Out Draft Class Deals

July 22nd, 2020 at 4:18pm CST by Sam Robinson

In addition to signing first-round pick Isaiah Simmons, the Cardinals finished out their draft class’ rookie-contract agreements Wednesday.

Arizona agreed to terms with third-round tackle Josh Jones, fourth-round defensive linemen Leki Fotu and Rashard Lawrence, sixth-round linebacker Evan Weaver and seventh-round running back Eno Benjamin. These are all four-year deals.

Jones profiles as the most interesting of these selections, having a path to being Arizona’s starting right tackle in the near future. The Houston blocker was considered a potential first-round talent or a player who would go off the board in Round 2.

Kliff Kingsbury admitted he was stunned to see Jones on the board in Round 3. The Cardinals re-signed Marcus Gilbert, but the longtime Steelers right tackle missed all of last season and much of the 2018 campaign due to injuries. Jones was a four-year starter at left tackle for the Cougars, but the Cards just re-signed longtime left tackle D.J. Humphries.

Benjamin, who played at Arizona State, joins a backfield that lost David Johnson this offseason. The Cards kept Kenyan Drake via the transition tag. Backup Chase Edmonds is signed through 2021, however. Both Fotu and Lawrence figure to compete for rotational spots on a Cards D-line that recently added 2019 Bills sack leader Jordan Phillips.

Here is the Cards’ 2020 draft class:

1-8: Isaiah Simmons, LB (Clemson)
3-72: Josh Jones, T (Houston)
4-114: Leki Fotu, DT (Utah)
4-131: Rashard Lawrence, DT (LSU)
6-202: Evan Weaver, LB (Cal)
7-222: Eno Benjamin, RB (Arizona State)

Cardinals, Isaiah Simmons Agree To Deal

July 21st, 2020 at 10:09am CST by Zachary Links

The Cardinals have agreed to terms with Isaiah Simmons, according to NFL.com’s Ian Rapoport (on Twitter). Per the terms of his slot, the No. 8 overall pick will earn $20.66MM over the course of his four year deal, with $12.58MM coming in the form of a signing bonus. 

[RELATED: Cardinals To Sign Kelvin Beachum]

Evaluators were enamored by Simmons’ versatility heading into the draft, seeing him as a player who could seamlessly move between outside linebacker, inside linebacker, and the secondary. However, Cardinals head coach Kliff Kingsbury says he’ll allow the Clemson star to focus on just one position as he learns the ropes.

“His ability to play so many positions and not really having a chance to focus on one, we just think the sky could be the limit for what he can be if we really lock him in one position for the majority of the time,” said Kingsbury.

Kingsbury didn’t specify which position that would be, but defensive coordinator Vance Joseph has indicated that he’ll play linebacker.

Simmons broke out as a sophomore in 2018 with 88 total stops, including nine tackles for a loss and two sacks. Things only picked up from there – Simmons managed 104 tackles, 16.5 tackles for a loss, eight sacks, and three interceptions as a junior en route being named the nation’s best linebacker. With freakish athleticism and a 6’4″, 230-pound frame, the Cardinals say the sky is the limit for Simmons.

Cardinals To Sign Kelvin Beachum

July 17th, 2020 at 9:09am CST by Zachary Links

The Cardinals have agreed to sign Kelvin Beachum, according to John Gambodoro of Arizona Sports 98.7 FM (on Twitter). The former Jets blocker will ink a one-year deal and compete for a first-string job opposite of D.J. Humphries.

There was no room for Beachum in New Jersey after the Jets revamped their offensive line. Before the remodeling, Beachum started in 45 of his 48 games for the Jets across four seasons. For his career, Beachum has 99 starts under his belt for the Steelers, Jaguars, and Jets, with mixed results.

Beachum has struggled with penalties over the years. In 2018, he tied for the Jets’ team lead with seven accepted penalties and nine flags in total.

Some of his best work came with the Steelers early on in his career, though a 2015 knee injury sidetracked him. In 2014, he performed as an elite left tackle, ranking No. 5 on Pro Football Focus’ list. When he returned in 2016, he graded as just the league’s No. 63 ranked tackle out of 78 qualified players.

The Cardinals likely won’t be getting the 2014 iteration of Beachum, but he should provide solid backup support, at the very least. At maximum, he could be the club’s new starting right tackle.

Latest On Cardinals, Kenyan Drake

July 15th, 2020 at 4:31pm CST by Sam Robinson

While the NFL collectively batted .143 in extensions for franchise-tagged players (2-for-14) this year, the one player to receive the transition tag this year has a bit more time.

The Cardinals have until July 22 to extend Kenyan Drake, but Ian Rapoport of NFL.com notes the sides are not believed to be close on terms. This continues the current trend on the extension front (Twitter link). Drake is not too concerned about an extension at the moment, tweeting that one will come in “due time.”

Cards GM Steve Keim said in April he had begun negotiating with Drake, who signed his transition tender days after the Cardinals applied it. Should the 26-year-old back not agree to an extension by next week, he will be tied to his $8.483MM salary this season.

Despite rostering David Johnson at the time, the Cardinals traded for Drake and saw the ex-Dolphins contributor produce immediately. Drake totaled 814 scrimmage yards in just eight Cards games. That number is not too far off Drake’s 2018 Dolphins season, when he amassed 1,012 scrimmage yards in 16 games while splitting work with Frank Gore. Drake averaged 5.2 yards per carry with the Cards last season, after gaining just 3.7 per tote in six Dolphins tilts.

NFC Notes: Barrett, Gregory, Washington

July 14th, 2020 at 6:41pm CST by Sam Robinson

The Buccaneers look to be one of the many teams set to carry a franchise tag number on their payroll this season. Shaquil Barrett and the Bucs were believed to be far apart on terms over the weekend, and the breakout pass rusher expects to play this season on the tag.

“I would love to get a deal done. I know they would love to get a deal done. But just the situation of the world right now is making it hard to get a deal done,” Barrett said during an NFL Network appearance (via NFL.com). “So if we get one done, I’m going to be happy. But if not, I’m still happy to be down here for another year and potentially to get a deal done in the future once we do figure out how the season’s going to go and how next year possibly will be.

“I still have some hope for it, but I’m more optimistic for the one-year to get done over a long-term deal.”

The COVID-19 pandemic has clouded the NFL financial picture. Although some teams have come to extension agreements, most franchises have held off. Of the 15 players who received the franchise tag this year, only one (Chris Jones) has reached an extension agreement. With Barrett upping his single-season sack career high from 5.5 to a Bucs-record 19.5, he profiled as a possible “prove it” player. It looks like the sides will huddle up again after the season.

Here is the latest from the NFC:

  • After firing multiple front office execs last week, Washington added some staffers. The team will hire Eric Stokes as its director of pro scouting, Adam Schefter of ESPN.com tweets. Washington is also adding longtime scout Don Warren to be its assistant director of pro personnel, Joe Person of The Athletic tweets. Both will come to Washington after years with Carolina, following Ron Rivera in that regard. For Warren, this will be a reunion. He won three Super Bowls with Washington as a tight end and previously served as a scout with the franchise from 2005-09.
  • The Cowboys refuse to give up on Randy Gregory. Despite the Cowboys losing hope he will be reinstated in time for this season, they would like to have the suspended defensive end back in a non-playing capacity for the time being, Todd Archer of ESPN.com notes. Gregory has been suspended four times since entering the league. He has not played since the 2018 season.
  • The Saints should be expected to sign a tackle at some point before the season, Katherine Terrell of The Athletic writes (subscription required). New Orleans has entrenched starters Terron Armstead and Ryan Ramczyk and added ex-Ravens starter/swingman James Hurst this offseason. But the Saints have been proponents of O-line fortification, so it would not be especially surprising to see them further bolster the group. That said, Hurst and interior lineman Nick Easton qualify as solid backups.
  • Perhaps following the Saints’ lead, the Cardinals had former CFL quarterback Chris Streveler sit in on their special teams meetings during the virtual offseason period, Darren Urban of AZCardinals.com notes. While the Cardinals communicated to the Grey Cup-winning quarterback he will not change positions upon moving south, a Taysom Hill-type role may be how Streveler makes the team. Brett Hundley and former UDFA Drew Anderson are the other QBs on Arizona’s roster.

Poll: How Many Tagged Players Will Land Extensions?

July 14th, 2020 at 4:12pm CST by Sam Robinson

A day away from the deadline for franchise-tagged players to sign extensions, the NFL finally saw a player from this year’s group do so. The Chiefs’ Chris Jones extension represents the outlier move thus far. Discounting Jones’ deal, how many more tagged players will sign by the 3pm CT deadline Wednesday?

The 14 remaining tagged players reside in limbo for various reasons — from uncertainties about their career trajectories to the pandemic clouding the NFL’s financial future. There could be plenty of players going through the 2020 season on guaranteed one-year deals, which would both table key negotiations for several months and add to the 2021 free agent market.

Here is how everything looks with the tagged group as of Tuesday afternoon:

Already Signed Tag

*Received transition tag (vs. franchise tag)

Hasn’t Signed Tag, Won’t Hold Out

Hasn’t Signed Tag, Threatening Holdout

More players were tagged this year than in 2018 and ’19 combined. This represents the largest contingent of tagged performers since 2012, when 19 were tagged. That also came in an era when of salary cap stagnancy. After steady cap growth since 2014, the league’s best hope may be for the 2021 cap to plateau. The coronavirus has threatened to keep fans out of stadiums, with limited capacity being the likely best-case scenario. That will cost the league upwards of $3 billion, and the NFL-NFLPA talks about how to manage this have transpired for several weeks without a resolution.

But deadlines, per the cliche, incite action. Will this year be the exception? Are teams willing to carry big tag salaries on their books? Or will they prefer that to signing off on long-term extensions before the cap reality clears up? Vote in PFR’s latest poll (link for app users) and weigh in with your thoughts in the comments section.

Of the 14 players still attached to tags, how many will sign extensions?
1-2 44.57% (238 votes)
3-5 36.33% (194 votes)
4-7 13.30% (71 votes)
More than 8 5.81% (31 votes)
Total Votes: 534
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