Wilks Makes Bleak Comments About Future
Former NFL agent and current CBS Sports analyst Joel Corry took a look at some of the biggest hits and misses from teams’ offseason, with the Bears’ trade for Khalil Mack being his biggest hit and the Cardinals’ signing of Sam Bradford being his biggest miss. He highlights several more under-the-radar hits like the Colts’ signing of Eric Ebron and the Ravens bringing in John Brown, and talks about the finances involved. Some of the other misses include the mammoth contract the Titans gave to cornerback Malcolm Butler and the Cowboys’ signing of Allen Hurns. Butler has already been benched in Tennessee and Corry writes that he’s “doing his best to validate Patriots head coach Bill Belichick’s mysterious benching of him in Super Bowl LII.” The whole article is definitely worth a read.
- The Cardinals made a move many had been anticipating for weeks today when they fired offensive coordinator Mike McCoy. Cardinals coach Steve Wilks was asked about Byron Leftwich, McCoy’s replacement, and whether Leftwich was an interim coach or permanent. Wilks responded “right now it’s hard to say anyone (on staff) is going to be permanent”, according to Darren Urban of the team’s official website (Twitter link). Wilks’ comments suggest he’s thinking what others in the media have been saying, that his job isn’t necessarily safe either. While it would still be surprising at this point, it certainly seems possible Wilks is a one-and-done in Arizona.
Cardinals Fire OC Mike McCoy
After a disastrous 45-10 loss to the Broncos on Thursday night, the Cardinals fired offensive coordinator Mike McCoy. To replace him, the Cardinals promoted quarterbacks coach Byron Leftwich. 
McCoy’s job security has been a topic of discussion for weeks. Through seven games, the Cardinals have averaged just 13.1 points per game, which ranks 31st in the NFL. They’re also dead last in total yards per game, third-down conversion percentage, time of possession, and rushing yards. Something had to give, and the embarrassing loss to Denver was the straw that broke the camel’s back.
It’s an ironic end to McCoy’s tenure in Arizona since the Broncos fired McCoy in the midst of the 2017 season. Denver started off strong with a 3-1 start last year, but the team lost patience after a six-game losing streak knocked them out of playoff contention. This year, the Cardinals had enough after a 1-5 start and an embarrassing primetime loss in which Josh Rosen lobbed his third, fourth, and fifth interceptions of the year.
Leftwich, the Jaguars’ longtime quarterback, was brought in by former coach Bruce Arians as a coaching intern in 2016. Last year, he was hired as the team’s quarterbacks coach. Leftwich doesn’t have previous OC experience, but he did call plays in a couple of 2017 exhibition games.
“I’m a pretty confident guy, but I had never done it, and I had never practiced it,” Leftwich said of his OC audition. “That’s the tough part. Knowing B.A., B.A. ain’t going to give you two weeks in practice to prepare. He gave me a 10-play period to call them. The first time I ever called plays was in the game. I wish I would have done a few things here and there better, but that’s the exciting part of growing in this business. That helped my growth.”
Leftwich will make his OC debut on Sunday, Oct. 28 against the 49ers. After that, the Cardinals have a Week 9 bye.
Cardinals Release WR Kendall Wright
The Cardinals released wide receiver Kendall Wright on Thursday, per a team announcement. In his place, the club promoted cornerback Deatrick Nichols from the practice squad.
Wright was signed just ten days ago, with Nichols being waived to create room on the roster. It’s not uncommon for teams to juggle veterans each week depending on needs, so it’s possible that Wright could be back soon with Nichols back on the waiver wire.
Wright, ostensibly, was signed as insurance in the slot for Larry Fitzgerald. But, Fitzgerald is a go for Thursday night despite his hamstring and back issues, so Wright was no longer needed in Arizona.
The Cardinals, with Nichols on the roster, will face the Broncos in a Thursday night matchup that could have serious implications for the losing team.
NFL Practice Squad Updates: 10/18/18
We’ll keep track of today’s practice squad moves here:
Arizona Cardinals
- Signed: OL Kyle Friend
- Released: OL Will House
Atlanta Falcons
- Signed: LB Jermaine Grace
- Released: LB Richie Brown
Houston Texans
- Released: DB Robert Jackson
Indianapolis Colts
- Signed: G Zack Golditch
- Released: G Sean Harlow
Jacksonville Jaguars
- Signed: OL Brandon Thomas
- Released: OL Michael Dunn
Los Angeles Rams
- Signed: LB Travin Howard
- Released: DB Linden Stephens
Miami Dolphins
- Signed: DL DeShawn Williams
New York Giants
- Released: WR Kalif Raymond
New York Jets
- Signed: RB De’Angelo Henderson
- Placed on injured list: LB Harvey Langi
Philadelphia Eagles
- Released: LB Kyle Wilson
Cardinals Won’t Trade Patrick Peterson
A trade of star cornerback Patrick Peterson is “not happening,” Cardinals president Michael Bidwill tells Ian Rapoport of NFL.com (on Twitter). Many expect the Cardinals to engage as sellers before the Oct. 30 trade deadline, but Peterson is apparently off limits. 
[RELATED: Cardinals Not Shopping Haason Reddick?]
“Not true,” Bidwill said. “I’ve seen the speculation. But it’s not happening. Not happening.”
Other clubs, unsure of the Cardinals’ intentions or future plans, have tried to pry P2 away from Arizona. At least one other team inquired about his availability, Rapoport hears, but were met a flat-out no.
Peterson’s place in Arizona appears to be safe, but the same cannot be said for other Cardinals players or coaches. The Cardinals are 1-5 heading into Thursday night’s game against the Broncos, and changes are certain to be made if they come up short.
A fun fact to keep in mind: the 1970 Bengals are the only team in the NFL’s Super Bowl era to ever made the playoffs after starting the year 1-6.
Cardinals Not Shopping Haason Reddick?
Contrary to some reports, the Cardinals are not shopping linebacker Haason Reddick, according to Ian Rapoport of NFL.com (video link). The club is shopping linebacker/safety Deone Bucannon, however, which is consistent with what we’ve heard in recent weeks. 
[RELATED: Cardinals GM Downplays Trade Rumors]
The Cardinals drafted the former Temple standout with the 13th overall pick in the 2017 draft in the hopes that his explosive athleticism would serve him well as a pass rusher and as a run stopper. So far, his development has not gone as planned, but the Cardinals are not ready to give up on him just yet. The 24-year-old recently regained his spot in the starting lineup and has two sacks in the last three weeks, so he seems to be trending in the right direction.
The Cardinals fell to 1-5 after Sunday’s 27-17 loss to the Vikings. While Reddick apparently won’t be on the table, you can expect GM Steve Keim to pitch rival clubs on Bucannon and others as the Cardinals look to build for the future.
NFL Practice Squad Updates: 10/15/18
We’ll keep track of today’s practice squad moves here:
Arizona Cardinals
- Signed: OL Coleman Shelton, RB Brandon Wilds
- Cut:WR Bernard Reedy, RB Jalen Simmons
Baltimore Ravens
- Signed: RB Mark Thompson, LB Alvin Jones, OL Randin Crecelius
- Cut: DB Kai Nacua, WR Andre Levrone
Detroit Lions
- Signed: LB Garret Dooley
Indianapolis Colts
- Signed: LB Skai Moore
New York Giants
- Signed: DB Ronald Zamort
Tampa Bay Buccaneers
- Signed: OL Ruben Holcomb
Tennessee Titans
- Signed: WR Devin Ross
- Cut: WR Chad Hansen
Pugh Breaks Hand
- Cardinals guard Justin Pugh broke his hand in the team’s loss to the Vikings, the lineman told Josh Weinfuss of ESPN (Twitter link). Lineman can often play with a club/cast on their hand, but it would seem likely Pugh misses at least a little time, and may need surgery. It’s a big blow to an Arizona offensive line that is already among the worst in the league.
Cardinals Deny They’re Shopping Patrick Peterson
Earlier today, it was reported that the Cardinals were shopping star cornerback Patrick Peterson, and now the team is pushing back on those reports.
Cardinals coach Steve Wilks called the rumors “ludicrous” in his press conference following the team’s loss to the Vikings and wouldn’t even address the reports, according to Josh Weinfruss of ESPN (Twitter link). It was reported last week that the Cardinals were shopping linebackers Deone Bucannon and Haason Reddick, and even David Johnson’s name has been brought up as a potential trade candidate, but Peterson’s name was new.
It’s looking like a lost season for the Cardinals, who currently sit at 1-5, so it wouldn’t be surprising if they are aggressive in looking to trade some veterans to acquire draft picks. Still it would be pretty shocking if the team dealt the All-Pro corner, and Wilks’ denial is strong enough that it leaves little wiggle room. Peterson’s current deal runs through the 2020 season and and pays him around $12MM a season.
Peterson, a 2011 first-rounder, turned 28 over the summer. While his star has faded a bit the past few years, he’s still one of the league’s best corners. He’s made the Pro Bowl all seven seasons he’s been in the league and is a three-time First-Team All-Pro. If the Cardinals due ever decide to shop him, they’d likely seek multiple high draft picks.
Are Cardinals Open To Trading Patrick Peterson?
We heard last week that the Cardinals were at least willing to listen to trade offers for Deone Bucannon and Haason Reddick, and while GM Steve Keim later threw cold water on those rumors, Jason La Canfora of CBS Sports reports that Arizona is not only looking to deal Bucannon and Reddick, but that the team is also open to parting with star cornerback Patrick Peterson. Mike Jurecki of the team’s official website tweets that there is zero chance that the Cardinals move Peterson, but even if that’s the case, it seems apparent that the rebuilding Cards will be busy as we approach the October 30 trade deadline.