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Arizona Cardinals: 5 players better off without

By Scott Allen

PHILADELPHIA, PA - OCTOBER 08: Zach Ertz #86 of the Philadelphia Eagles makes a catch for a first down against Justin Bethel #28 of the Arizona Cardinals during the third quarter at Lincoln Financial Field on October 8, 2017 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Rich Schultz/Getty Images)
PHILADELPHIA, PA - OCTOBER 08: Zach Ertz #86 of the Philadelphia Eagles makes a catch for a first down against Justin Bethel #28 of the Arizona Cardinals during the third quarter at Lincoln Financial Field on October 8, 2017 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Rich Schultz/Getty Images) /
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MINNEAPOLIS, MN – NOVEMBER 20: Adam Thielen #19 of the Minnesota Vikings catches a pass for a touchdown over Justin Bethel #28 of the Arizona Cardinals during the first quarter of the game on November 20, 2016 at US Bank Stadium in Minneapolis, Minnesota. (Photo by Hannah Foslien/Getty Images)
MINNEAPOLIS, MN – NOVEMBER 20: Adam Thielen #19 of the Minnesota Vikings catches a pass for a touchdown over Justin Bethel #28 of the Arizona Cardinals during the first quarter of the game on November 20, 2016 at US Bank Stadium in Minneapolis, Minnesota. (Photo by Hannah Foslien/Getty Images) /

Justin Bethel

Bethel was one who was probably given more chances than normally warranted to become the team’s other starting cornerback opposite Patrick Peterson.  He could never grab the spot though.

He was an excellent special teams player, as he was selected to the Pro Bowl.  However even that production dwindled a bit as time carried on.

He eventually was given a chance to start after a few years but didn’t make the grade as a consistent starter.  Cardinals fans really wanted to see him do well.

However his time in Arizona we all knew would be cut short after he struggled in 2016.  In December of that season, Arians called Bethel a “failure in progress”.

That not so ringing endorsement put the writing on the wall.  Although Arians toned down his criticism of Bethel in 2017, it was crystal clear he was not working out.

The line was cut and Bethel was allowed to pursue other teams in free agency.  Now he gets a shot with the Atlanta Falcons.

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