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Arizona Cardinals: 4 potential cut candidates

By Avery Duncan

PHILADELPHIA, PA - OCTOBER 08: Jermaine Gresham #84 of the Arizona Cardinals walks off the field in the finals moments of the game against the Philadelphia Eagles at Lincoln Financial Field on October 8, 2017 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. The Eagles defeated the Cardinals 34-7. (Photo by Mitchell Leff/Getty Images)
PHILADELPHIA, PA - OCTOBER 08: Jermaine Gresham #84 of the Arizona Cardinals walks off the field in the finals moments of the game against the Philadelphia Eagles at Lincoln Financial Field on October 8, 2017 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. The Eagles defeated the Cardinals 34-7. (Photo by Mitchell Leff/Getty Images) /
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GLENDALE, AZ – SEPTEMBER 23: Defensive back Antoine Bethea #41 of the Arizona Cardinals prepares to take the field for the game against the Chicago Bears at State Farm Stadium on September 23, 2018 in Glendale, Arizona. The Chicago Bears won 16-14. (Photo by Jennifer Stewart/Getty Images)
GLENDALE, AZ – SEPTEMBER 23: Defensive back Antoine Bethea #41 of the Arizona Cardinals prepares to take the field for the game against the Chicago Bears at State Farm Stadium on September 23, 2018 in Glendale, Arizona. The Chicago Bears won 16-14. (Photo by Jennifer Stewart/Getty Images) /

Antoine Bethea, S

Salary cap savings: $4,750,000

Dead cap: $2,159,168

Bethea has been an excellent addition for the Cardinals after signing in 2017, but his future in the desert is in doubt due to a multitude of reasons. Chiefly, new Cardinals defensive coordinator Vance Joseph noted that standout defensive back Budda Baker will be moving to Bethea’s position full time for the 2019 season alongside D.J. Swearinger.

At 34-years-old, Bethea might still have some gas left in the tank; after all, he played 99.6% of the eligible snaps in 2018. However, the Cardinals aren’t in a position to retain a soon to be 35-year-old safety considering their want to develop a younger duo in Baker and Swearinger. In 2018, Bethea also regressed in the box score as he posted near career lows across the board.

Releasing the seasoned safety could be beneficial for both sides. Not only would the Cardinals clear up nearly $5M in cap space, per Over The Cap, but it would also give Bethea a chance to sign with a 2019 contender to pursue a second Super Bowl ring. Simply put, the two are not on the same competitive timeline.

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