The Cardinals, for a second straight year, are looking for a head coach.
The Cardinals, as is every year, are looking to reevaluate the roster.
Sometimes that looks a little different. Following the 2015 NFC Championship game appearance, the Cards needed only to tweak the roster. This season, following a 3-13 year, many decisions -- and upgrades -- are needed.
"We all have to be bought in," General Manager Steve Keim said. "We have to have a certain type of player, whether it's the mindset that he's an alpha male or he's a team player, a leader, that he's going to buy into the process and to be a Cardinal moving forward. And there's a certain way that guy looks."
The Cards have the No. 1 overall draft pick and the first pick in every round, along with the top priority on waiver claims. They have north of $60 million in cap space. But first, Keim and his department have to analyze the players already on the roster, and what to do with them going forward.
With the season coming to a close, azcardinals.com writer Darren Urban gives his personal take on the majority of the Cardinals' roster heading into the offseason. UFA is unrestricted free agent. RFA is restricted free agent (and whose movement can be controlled with a tender offer, which gives right of first refusal). ER is exclusive rights, meaning a player must accept a tender offer.
Free agency figures to play a big role in how the roster evolves for next season, given all the free-agents-to-be. Comments are for today and the future for any particular player could be fluid. Curating a roster for the new head coach -- whoever that might be -- will obviously have a significant impact.
| QUARTERBACKS | SIGNED THROUGH | COMMENT |
|---|---|---|
| Mike Glennon | 2019 | Worked out as perfect backup, and actually played OK in brief work |
| Charles Kanoff | 2019 | Undrafted rookie has enough upside to keep around as a No. 3 |
| Josh Rosen | 2021 | Still QB of the future. But also still an unknown, with a long way to go |
| RUNNING BACKS | SIGNED THROUGH | COMMENT |
|---|---|---|
| Derrick Coleman | *UFA* | Played well on special teams. Will new coach need a fullback? |
| Chase Edmonds | 2021 | Showed nice flashes as a complement to Johnson |
| D.J. Foster | RFA | Local hero missed all season with ACL tear |
| David Johnson | 2021 | After signing big contract, not year he or the Cards expected |
| T.J. Logan | 2020 | Got a little work late, but never really was in former staff's plans |
| WIDE RECEIVERS | SIGNED THROUGH | COMMENT |
|---|---|---|
| Pharoh Cooper | 2019 | Cards would love waiver claim to regain Pro Bowl return status |
| Malachi Dupre | 2019 | Will try to find a way to fight for roster spot |
| Larry Fitzgerald | *UFA* | To play or not to play? That is the question |
| Christian Kirk | 2021 | Proved to be a solid pick. Will be better off with added WR talent |
| J.J. Nelson | *UFA* | His inactive status in the final couple of games shows he's unlikely to return |
| Trent Sherfield | 2020 | Undrafted rookie flashed and is determined to be in the 2019 mix |
| Jalen Tolliver | 2019 | Another undrafted guy who might sneak in -- depending on WR additions |
| Chad Williams | 2020 | A disappointing sophomore season |
| TIGHT ENDS | SIGNED THROUGH | COMMENT |
|---|---|---|
| Darrell Daniels | ER | Might be a guy to look at, but entire position needs upgrade |
| Jermaine Gresham | 2020 | Coming off Achilles injury, didn't have kind of season Cardinals hoped |
| John Phillips | *UFA* | Made a great catch in finale, but isn't a long-term answer |
| Ricky Seals-Jones | ER | The hope was that he'd emerge. Like much of the offense, he could not |
| OFFENSIVE LINE | SIGNED THROUGH | COMMENT |
|---|---|---|
| Oday Aboushi (G) | *UFA* | One of the many in-season additions forced to play |
| Joe Barksdale (T) | *UFA* | He'd be a veteran presence if they brought him back |
| Mason Cole (C) | 2021 | Needs to add strength as he tries to fend off Shipley next season |
| Korey Cunningham (T) | 2021 | Got some experience, but Cards likely see him as depth for now |
| Zack Golditch (G/T) | 2019 | Even with injuries, couldn't get on field |
| Colby Gossett (G) | 2019 | Battled some as fill-in starter, could be depth help |
| Will Holden (T) | 2019 | One of many forced into the 10 different OL lineups |
| D.J. Humphries (T) | 2019 | Contract year approaches. Can he stay healthy? |
| Mike Iupati (G) | *UFA* | Ended year on IR again, which makes it tougher to bring him back |
| Daniel Munyer (C) | ER | Will be difficult to make team if Shipley is healthy |
| Rees Odhiambo (G/T) | 2019 | Picked up as depth but never got a chance to do anything |
| Justin Pugh (G) | 2022 | Cardinals have to hope he can avoid injury and settle a guard spot |
| A.Q. Shipley (C) | 2019 | Coming off a torn ACL, has every intention of regaining starting role |
| Jeremy Vujnovich (G) | ER | Another pickup that, if healthy, could be depth |
| John Wetzel (T) | RFA | Top OL backup one of 7 OL on IR by end of season |
| DEFENSIVE LINE | SIGNED THROUGH | COMMENT |
|---|---|---|
| Vontarrius Dora | 2019 | He's here, he's not, but the Cards never lose his number |
| Markus Golden | *UFA* | Wants to stay, but what contract can two sides agree upon? |
| Rodney Gunter | *UFA* | Had his best season -- and in his contract year |
| Chandler Jones | 2021 | Remains a pass rusher to fear and a playmaker |
| Cameron Malveaux | 2019 | Blocked punt in finale his big contribution |
| Benson Mayowa | *UFA* | Steady season as top backup DE |
| Zach Moore | ER | Another guy whose future likely tied to defensive scheme |
| Robert Nkemdiche | 2019 | In his crucial season, had one breakout game. Then tore ACL |
| Corey Peters | 2020 | Quietly, the rock of the defensive line |
| Olsen Pierre | RFA | Seemed to take a step back after scheme change |
| Pasoni Tasini | 2019 | Another guy that the Cards keep bringing back when a body is needed |
| Vincent Valentine | 2019 | Helped with late-season depth after rash of injuries |
| LINEBACKERS | SIGNED THROUGH | COMMENT |
|---|---|---|
| Josh Bynes | 2020 | Veteran was solid, until he got hurt |
| Deone Bucannon | *UFA* | So, with a different coach, does that mean Buc might return? |
| Jeremy Cash | RFA | Out all season with a knee injury |
| Dennis Gardeck | 2020 | Proved to be excellent on special teams |
| Gerald Hodges | UFA | For a late signing, proved to be quite helpful when they needed him |
| Haason Reddick | 2020 | Former first-round pick improved, but work still to be done |
| Zeke Turner | 2020 | Good on special teams. TBD on defense |
| Joe Walker | 2019 | Veteran helped on special teams but didn't get a chance on D |
| DEFENSIVE BACKS | SIGNED THROUGH | COMMENT |
|---|---|---|
| David Amerson (CB) | 2019 | Last in long line of No. 2 starting CBs, and Cards still need clarity there |
| Budda Baker (S) | 2020 | Solid second season and remains a key part of defense |
| Antoine Bethea (S) | 2019 | Important leader on field but perhaps more crucial, important in locker room |
| Tre Boston (S) | *UFA* | Whether he returns impacted by surprising Swearinger availability |
| Rudy Ford (S) | 2020 | Uses speed on special teams, but still learning how to play defense |
| Chris Jones (CB) | 2019 | Another young player the Cards held so they could get longer offseason look |
| Deatrick Nichols (CB) | 2019 | Undrafted rookie's status yo-yo'd all season from practice squad to roster |
| Patrick Peterson (CB) | 2020 | Yes, there was some drama, but proved to be among the best again |
| D.J. Swearinger (S) | 2019 | Cards will benefit in 2019 because they were able to bring him back |
| Brandon Williams (CB) | 2019 | Given a chance on special teams but time as CB seems to have run out |
| SPECIALISTS | SIGNED THROUGH | COMMENT |
|---|---|---|
| Aaron Brewer (LS) | 2021 | Truth about long snapping: When he's invisible, that's good |
| Phil Dawson (K) | *UFA* | Trip to IR ended what felt like final season |
| Zane Gonzalez (K) | 2019 | Will make push to be team's long-term answer at position |
| Andy Lee (P) | 2019 | Another great season: Led NFL in punting and set team record |
