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Report: Arizona Cardinals in the mix for Broncos linebacker

By Avery Duncan

DENVER, CO - OCTOBER 24: Inside linebacker Brandon Marshall #54 of the Denver Broncos is introduced before the game against the Houston Texansat Sports Authority Field at Mile High on October 24, 2016 in Denver, Colorado. (Photo by Dustin Bradford/Getty Images)
DENVER, CO - OCTOBER 24: Inside linebacker Brandon Marshall #54 of the Denver Broncos is introduced before the game against the Houston Texansat Sports Authority Field at Mile High on October 24, 2016 in Denver, Colorado. (Photo by Dustin Bradford/Getty Images) /
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The Arizona Cardinals are one of five teams looking to sign soon to be former Denver Broncos inside linebacker Brandon Marshall.

Since the Arizona Cardinals released Josh Bynes and shifted their defensive philosophy to a 3-4 front, the need for a veteran linebacker was prevalent. Per multiple sources including ESPN Arizona insider John Gambadaro, the Cardinals were expected to pursue Marshall, who is expected to be cut by the Broncos soon.

Just a day after Gambadaro’s tweet, the Cardinals look to be one of the teams in contention for Marshall’s services as James Palmer of NFL Network noted in a Tweet that the previous statement is true. He said;

"The Cardinals could use an inside LB. They’re one of the 5 teams interested in Brandon Marshall I’m told. His former head coach Vance Joseph is the new DC there so they know him well. Also the Chargers, Ravens, Jets, Bengals are interested in Marshall I’m told."

As stated in Palmer’s quote, Marshall is a familiar face to new Cardinals defensive coordinator Vance Joseph. In their two seasons together, Marshall was serviceable as an inside linebacker and replacement to Danny Trevethan, he was also essentially the quarterback of the defense. In the two seasons combined, Marshall accumulated 148 tackles, five pass deflections, and six tackles for loss in a total of 27 games.

While he did take a dip in his Pro Football Focus grade in 2018 with just a 64.2, good for 48th in the NFL. Marshall is a proven linebacker, and at only 29-years-old, is sure to have some gas left.

While Marshall isn’t quite a free agent, the Broncos are expected to part ways with him due to a regression in play and a high cap hit of just over $8.5 million. Because of his age, slight regression, and potentially later cut, the Cardinals might be able to get Marshall at a discount price.

If Steve Keim can sign Marshall for around $6 million a year for two to three years, he would be wise to get a contract signed as he would fill a team need and is already aware of how Vance Joseph’s defense works.

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