Raising Zona
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Arizona Cardinals who shouldn’t return in 2019

By Avery Duncan

GLENDALE, AZ - SEPTEMBER 23: Defensive backs Antoine Bethea #41, Tre Boston #33 and Budda Baker #36 of the Arizona Cardinals reacts to a flag on the play as wide receiver Taylor Gabriel #18 of the Chicago Bears lays on the field in the second half of the NFL 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 backs Antoine Bethea #41, Tre Boston #33 and Budda Baker #36 of the Arizona Cardinals reacts to a flag on the play as wide receiver Taylor Gabriel #18 of the Chicago Bears lays on the field in the second half of the NFL 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) /
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LANDOVER, MD – DECEMBER 17: Phil Dawson LANDOVER, MD – DECEMBER 17: Phil Dawson #4 of the Arizona Cardinals celebrates after kicking a field goal in the fourth quarter against the Washington Redskins at FedEx Field on December 17, 2017 in Landover, Maryland. (Photo by Rob Carr/Getty Images)
LANDOVER, MD – DECEMBER 17: Phil Dawson LANDOVER, MD – DECEMBER 17: Phil Dawson #4 of the Arizona Cardinals celebrates after kicking a field goal in the fourth quarter against the Washington Redskins at FedEx Field on December 17, 2017 in Landover, Maryland. (Photo by Rob Carr/Getty Images) /

Phil Dawson, K

This is about as obvious as they come. At 44 years old, Dawson may not have much of a future in the NFL. And with the Cardinals already have two kickers on the roster, Zane Gonzalez and recently signed Cole Murphy, there isn’t too much of a need for him.

After signing a two-year deal with the Cardinals in 2017, Dawson didn’t enjoy the previous success that made him a Pro Bowler in 2012.

In the ’17 season, Dawson played all 16 games and missed eight kicks, including four from the 30-39 yard range, three from the 40-49 yard range, and one from the 50+ yard range. He finished the year with his third-lowest career field goal rate of 80% — a solid number.

But in 2018, his production took a nose dive. Not only did he miss six games after being placed on injured reserve for a hip injury, but he also missed a potentially game-winning kick early in the season against the Seattle Seahawks. But that’s not all, his field goal rate fell to 62.5%, the worst in his career. He made a total of five goals out of eight attempts.

Simply put, Dawson might have enjoyed a prolific career for the Browns and 49ers, but that success didn’t carry over to the desert. Combine his struggles with a hip injury, age, and signings of two young kickers, and the Cardinals simply don’t have a need for the former All-Pro place-kicker.

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