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Arizona Cardinals may consider a change at right tackle

By Jim Koch

ORCHARD PARK, NY - DECEMBER 10: Jordan Mills #79 of the Buffalo Bills and Eric Wood #70 of the Buffalo Bills walk to the field before a game against the Indianapolis Colts on December 10, 2017 at New Era Field in Orchard Park, New York. (Photo by Bryan M. Bennett/Getty Images)
ORCHARD PARK, NY - DECEMBER 10: Jordan Mills #79 of the Buffalo Bills and Eric Wood #70 of the Buffalo Bills walk to the field before a game against the Indianapolis Colts on December 10, 2017 at New Era Field in Orchard Park, New York. (Photo by Bryan M. Bennett/Getty Images) /
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It could be just a matter of time before right tackle Jordan Mills finds himself in the starting lineup of the Arizona Cardinals

Just days before last week’s season-opener, the Arizona Cardinals received some bad news concerning their offensive line. Marcus Gilbert, an offseason acquisition from the Pittsburgh Steelers, had injured his knee during a practice. The starting right tackle was placed on the injured-reserve list this past Tuesday, ending his first campaign with the Cards before it even got started.

To help make up for the loss of Gilbert, the Cardinals went out and signed free agent Jordan Mills on the very same day. At first glance, the acquisition of the former Buffalo Bills starter looks like a solid one. After all, Mills has appeared in 87 professional games, and has 82 starts under his belt.

At the moment, Justin Murray is Arizona’s starting right tackle. However, the 26-year old has very little NFL experience. In fact, Murray’s start against the Detroit Lions last Sunday was his first since he entered the league back in 2016.

For these very reasons, there are those who believe that the Cards may be contemplating a change. There’s talk that Mills may soon be elevated to first-team status, a move that would obviously send Murray to the bench. Would the Cardinals offensive line benefit by making that switch?

Mills became a pro back in 2013, when he was a fifth-round draft pick of the Chicago Bears. The Louisiana Tech University product was immediately utilized, starting 16 games as a rookie. Mills would total 29 starts in two seasons with the Bears before being released by the club in September of 2015.

After two short stints with the Dallas Cowboys and the Lions, Mills ended up being signed by Buffalo midway through the ’15 campaign. The 6’5, 316 pounder was inked to a two-year contract back in 2017, a deal that expired earlier this year. Mills joined the Miami Dolphins back in May, but was let go on August 27th by an organization that is apparently making very little effort to win in 2019.

Whether Arizona ultimately decides to make a change at the right tackle spot remains to be seen. It’s already been announced that Murray will retain his job for at least another week. In the meantime, Mills will be waiting in the wings, ready to take over if the Cards elect to give him a promotion.

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