The Arizona Cardinals are looking for linebacker help and they could find a good one via trade
If the Arizona Cardinals decide to pass on Nick Bosa with the number one pick in the NFL Draft, could they target another big name pass rusher? NFL.com reported that the New York Giants could be looking to trade linebacker Olivier Vernon.
Now the big issue is money. He is going to be owed $30 million over the last two years of his existing contract. Would the Cardinals be willing to sacrifice that kind of money? It could be possible given this is an area the team is looking at upgrading.
It is a lot of money to commit to a linebacker. The Cardinals especially need inside linebackers but the pass rush should become more formidable moving back to a 4-3 defensive scheme.
Vernon is 28 and will turn 29 during the 2019 season in October. He had 7 sacks last season and 6.5 sacks and 8.5 sacks in 2017 and 2016 respectively since moving over to the Giants from the Miami Dolphins.
Those are the kind of the numbers that could have Arizona saying goodbye to Markus Golden. Golden is a free agent and although he has said his agent is talking to the team, it sounds like the Cardinals are ready to part with the defensive end/linebacker.
But again, the sticking point would be money. He also would have to be obtained in a trade. Is he the type of player you want to pay $15 million a year to, plus give up draft picks for? It would seem less likely in that case but the Cardinals have surprised us before.
The more plausible result is the Vernon being traded elsewhere. It sounds like the Giants don’t want to continue to pay him.
The Cardinals should not be faulted for at least thinking about going after him. He was someone many fans wanted to see in Arizona when he went through free agency three years ago.