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Arizona Cardinals: Evaluating the pros and cons of keeping Josh Rosen

By Avery Duncan

ATLANTA, GA - DECEMBER 16: Josh Rosen #3 of the Arizona Cardinals reacts after a rushing touchdown by David Johnson #31 in the first quarter against the Atlanta Falcons at Mercedes-Benz Stadium on December 16, 2018 in Atlanta, Georgia. (Photo by Kevin C. Cox/Getty Images)
ATLANTA, GA - DECEMBER 16: Josh Rosen #3 of the Arizona Cardinals reacts after a rushing touchdown by David Johnson #31 in the first quarter against the Atlanta Falcons at Mercedes-Benz Stadium on December 16, 2018 in Atlanta, Georgia. (Photo by Kevin C. Cox/Getty Images) /
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GLENDALE, AZ – SEPTEMBER 30: Quarterback Josh Rosen #3 of the Arizona Cardinals is welcomed to the field by Josh Bynes #57, Bene’ Benwikere #23 and teammates during player introductions prior to an NFL game against the Seattle Seahawks at State Farm Stadium on September 30, 2018 in Glendale, Arizona. (Photo by Ralph Freso/Getty Images)
GLENDALE, AZ – SEPTEMBER 30: Quarterback Josh Rosen #3 of the Arizona Cardinals is welcomed to the field by Josh Bynes #57, Bene’ Benwikere #23 and teammates during player introductions prior to an NFL game against the Seattle Seahawks at State Farm Stadium on September 30, 2018 in Glendale, Arizona. (Photo by Ralph Freso/Getty Images) /

Pro: He’s a Cardinal

No NFL team knows Josh Rosen better than the Arizona Cardinals. They paid the toll to trade up for him, then drafted him, then gave him the keys to the franchise shortly into the 2018 season. Simply put, Rosen is a Cardinal.

One of Rosen’s biggest knocks coming out of UCLA is that he didn’t look or speak the part of a man that can lead an NFL locker room. But, things have changed. Since joining the Cardinals, Rosen has only gotten praise from the organization and other players. Larry Fitzgerald praised Rosen’s leadership and command of the team in an ESPN interview with Josh Weinfuss, saying;

"This is his team — He’ll be the guy here for the next 10-plus years, God willing. I love the way he’s kind of taken the reins, is vocal, lets people know exactly what he wants. He wants the best out of everybody."

In a more recent interview at the MIT Sloan Sports Analytics Conference, Larry Fitzgerald again noted that he is impressed by Rosen, saying;

"He’s able to forget very quickly a bad play, a bad decision. He’s really good at being able to put things behind him. He’s a great teammate. Really insightful. Just great to be around. He’s somebody who is really trying to learn, always. He’s inquisitive about life. And people like that usually find a way to be successful because they put the effort in. He’s got some talented guys around him that are going to help continue to make plays for him."

In a FanSided article by Patrick Schmidt, Rosen himself elaborated on his support from the franchise, saying;

"I had all the support in the world from the vets in the locker room to the front office, coaches, everything, so I was helped along and encouraged along the way. I think it’s really cool when someone trades up to get you. There’s an overwhelming amount of support in the facility."

The young quarterback has also been known for hosting film sessions at his apartment. Although he might not be the vocal leader that some expect, he is the furthest thing from a hermit crab.

Rosen is a confident guy, and that might rub some people the wrong way, but at the end of the day, he wants things to work smoothly and win games, even if that means harping on a teammate that deserve it.

Do the Cardinals want to give up on a guy that has started to earn the trust of the locker room?

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