Significant trades in Arizona Cardinals’ franchise history

The Arizona Cardinals’ organization has been wheeling and dealing throughout the decades, getting the better of many trades

The year was 2013, and the Arizona Cardinals needed a quarterback. Three years earlier, Hall of Fame signal-caller Kurt Warner had retired while still performing at a high level. Replacing him would be even harder than the club could’ve imagined.

The Cardinals trotted out three different passers during the 2010 season (Derek Anderson, John Skelton, Max Hall), none stepping up to seize the job. Because of this, management desperately orchestrated a trade during the next offseason. Kevin Kolb was acquired for a second-round draft pick and cornerback Dominique Rodgers-Cromartie in a deal organized by the Cards’ GM at the time, Rod Graves. Kolb flashed ability at times but was ultimately released after just two campaigns, ensuring that the Philadelphia Eagles got the better of the deal.

2013 brought a new regime to the organization, with Steve Keim replacing Graves as the general manager. One of Keim’s first orders of business was to try to rectify the Kolb mistake. To do that, he would need to pull off a trade of his own.

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In one of the best swaps in franchise history, veteran Carson Palmer was brought in from the Oakland Raiders. Oakland received two draft picks (a sixth and a seventh), while having to throw in a sixth-rounder of their own. It was a small price for Arizona to pay for one of the best quarterbacks to ever don a Cardinals’ uniform.

Keim pulled off another trade during the 2016 offseason that’s looking like a beauty. This time, Arizona was in need of some pass-rush help, and were somehow able to land New England Patriots’ star, Chandler Jones. The compensation was a second-round pick and underachieving offensive lineman Jonathan Cooper for the sack specialist.

The Cards’ brass are thrilled with the addition of Jones. He amassed 11 sacks in his first year in the desert, and opened the door for a monster season for fellow outside linebacker, Markus Golden (12.5 sacks). Jones was rewarded with a five-year, $83 million contract this offseason.

Not all of Keim’s trades have been winners, however. Head coach Bruce Arians apparently saw something he liked in quarterback Matt Barkley, so Keim sent a sixth-round pick to Philly for him. The former USC Trojan is no longer on the roster, so the trade can essentially be dubbed a failure.

Former general manager (and Hall of Fame player) Larry Wilson pulled off a couple of deals back in 1991 when the franchise was called the Phoenix Cardinals. Speedy wide receiver Randal “Thrill” Hill arrived from the Miami Dolphins for a 1992 first-round pick. The wideout stuck around for four seasons, catching 174 balls for 2,419 yards and eight touchdowns.

The other trade Wilson executed that year was for cornerback Robert Massey. The New Orleans Saints asked for center Derek Kennard and an undisclosed draft pick in return. Massey made the Pro Bowl in ’93, and was described by wide receiver Michael Irvin as the toughest corner he faced in his career.

The late Buddy Ryan didn’t fare well as the Cardinals’ head coach, but wasn’t too bad as their general manager. In 1995, Arizona’s braggadocios leader acquired Pro Bowl wide receiver Rob Moore for two draft picks (a first and a fourth) and running back Ronald Moore. The former New York Jet was an outstanding add, hauling in 322 passes for 5,110 yards and 27 scores for his new squad.

The bartering with the Jets continued in 1998 when running back Adrian Murrell was brought to town. Cards’ GM Bob Ferguson sent a third-round pick to the “Big Apple ” in exchange for a seventh-round pick and the two-time,1000-yard rusher. Murrell gained 1,042 yards on the ground and scored 10 touchdowns (two receiving) for the Cardinals in ’98.

Ferguson pulled off a blockbuster trade during the same offseason. For the low price of moving back one (from second-overall to third) spot in the ’98 draft, Arizona received two first-round picks, a second-rounder, wide receiver/kick returner Eric Metcalf and linebacker Patrick Sapp. They still were able to land defensive end Andre Wadsworth, the player they were targeting anyway. Bad knees hindered his career, but the return Ferguson received from the San Diego Chargers in the deal was nevertheless superb.

One more trade worth mentioning was yet another one negotiated with the Jets. Safety Kerry Rhodes was acquired for two draft picks, a fourth and a seventh. The 6’3″, 212 pounder was impressive during his three seasons with the Cards. Rhodes tallied 191 tackles, eight interceptions, 27 passes defensed and four sacks from 2010-12.

Next: Free Agency Impact on 2017 Cardinals

The Cards’ franchise, without a doubt, has done well making trades throughout their existence in the NFL. Perhaps dealing for a player or two this summer could go a long way in helping the franchise win their first Super Bowl this upcoming season. History indicates that they’ll more than likely be successful if they do.