Arizona Cardinals: Time possibly running out for some

The Arizona Cardinals could be parting ways next offseason with some players who’ve been extremely loyal to the organization

The general manager of the Arizona Cardinals has it tough. Bringing players to the organization is just one aspect of Steve Keim’s job. Having to say goodbye to others who you have grown to like and admire is another.

Such is the case in each and every offseason for the Cards’ two-time NFL Executive of the Year. It won’t be any different for Keim in 2018. The club’s free agent list will again be lengthy, and some members of the current squad will no longer be Cardinals when next September rolls around.

Justin Bethel has been routinely criticized as a defender

since arriving in the desert in 2012. But throughout it all, the cornerback has handled himself with class. Nevertheless, due to some extremely subpar play on defense, there’s a very good chance that Bethel is elsewhere in ’18.

Quarterback Drew Stanton, a favorite of head coach Bruce Arians, has performed admirably when forced into action. But the emergence of Blaine Gabbert may be diminishing his value with Arizona. Stanton could conceivably return once again as a backup, but at this point in his career the 33-year old is highly replaceable.

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Just two years ago, John Brown was ascending. But the wide receiver’s inability to remain healthy and on the field has rendered him an afterthought. Keim offering a contract to someone who has proven to be so brittle is not good business.

Back in 2014, Troy Niklas was a promising young rookie out of the University of Notre Dame. But, like Brown, nagging injuries have hampered the 6’6″, 270 pound tight end. With Jermaine Gresham under contract until 2021 and Ricky Seals-Jones looking good, Niklas’ days with the franchise may be numbered.

Finally, Karlos Dansby is having a fine campaign in his third stint with the Cards. The problem is, the team’s second-round draft pick in 2004 will be turning 37 next season. With young inside linebackers like Deone Bucannon and Haason Reddick in the house, bringing Dansby back again wouldn’t make much sense.

Saying goodbye is a hard part of life. Some of the guys Keim will choose not to offer contracts to are not only employees, they’re also friends. No one ever said that the life of an NFL general manager is easy.

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