Arizona Cardinals have decision to make at center position

With A.Q. Shipley ready to hit free agency, the Arizona Cardinals could explore some alternate options for the center position

After years of instability, the 2019 Arizona Cardinals finally enjoyed some continuity on their offensive line. Unfortunately, the good fortune with the blocking unit may not continue. The NFL’s free agency period could bring change to a group that came together quite well this past fall.

One spot on the line that could potentially be disrupted is the center position. A.Q. Shipley, who’s been with the Cards since 2015, may play his final game with the squad on Sunday. The 33-year old has an expiring contract, and may not be offered another one by the organization’s front office.

Arizona could possibly turn to the free agent market to find a new anchor for their line if they decide to move on from Shipley. The pickings are slim, but there are a few capable candidates who general manager Steve Keim may want to consider.

Connor McGovern has played every snap this season for the Denver Broncos. The “McGovenator” is a versatile professional who has also logged starts at right guard during his four-year career. The 26-year old was a fifth-round pick out of the University of Missouri in 2016.

Ted Karras has started 14 contests at center for the New England Patriots in ’19. Like McGovern, the 26-year old has also seen action at right guard during his time in the league. Karras stepped in for the injured David Andrews during the preseason, and has drawn rave reviews for his fill-in work.

Trey Hopkins of the Cincinnati Bengals has been credited with 21 starts at center over the past two campaigns. The 6’3, 316 pounder is a former undrafted free agent who played his college ball at the University of Texas. Cincinnati placed a second-round restricted free agent tender on the 27-year old Hopkins this past March.

One in-house option who the Cardinals could turn to for the gig is Mason Cole. As a rookie in 2018, the team’s third-round choice started every snap at center after Shipley tore his ACL in training camp. The Cards could save money by going with Cole, who’s slated to count just $887,629 against the salary-cap in 2020.

There were reports back in November that Keim wanted Shipley to return. Sources indicated that the two parties were negotiating an extension, but no deal was reached. With just one matchup left to be played in the regular-season, Shipley’s fate will certainly be decided sometime during the next few months.