Reunion with edge rusher a possibility for Arizona Cardinals
By Jim Koch
A need for a pass-rusher could prompt the Arizona Cardinals front office to take a run at free agent Markus Golden this offseason
Back in 2016, the Arizona Cardinals possessed one heck of a pass-rushing combination. The arrival of the sensational Chandler Jones, coupled with emerging star Markus Golden, gave opposing quarterbacks plenty to worry about. It appeared that Arizona would be set at the edge-rusher spot for years to come after the two combined for 23.5 sacks during their first campaign together.
All of that positivity was crushed four weeks into the 2017 season, however, when Golden was placed on the injured-reserve list after tearing his ACL. The 6’3, 260 pounder was back with the Cards in 2018, but there was a noticeable dropoff in his play. There were those who believed that Golden returned to the field a bit prematurely, but something else may have factored into the defender’s poor performance as well.
With the arrival of head coach Steve Wilks in ’18 came a new defensive system. The switch from a 3-4 to a 4-3 alignment called for Golden to change his position. The Cardinals second-round pick in 2015 was now lining up at defensive end, and appeared to be only a shell of the performer he was when he played outside linebacker.
Golden left the desert in 2019, electing to join former Arizona defensive coordinator James Bettcher with the New York Giants. The 28-year old registered 10 sacks in 16 starts for his new squad, and also added 72 tackles and a whopping 27 quarterback hits. Golden, two years removed from his knee surgery, now appeared to be completely recovered from the devastating setback that occurred while he was with the Cardinals.
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With the 2020 offseason now upon us, Golden will once again be testing the free agent waters. One would assume that the Giants would want hang on to the playmaker, but nothing is set in stone. It would not be surprising to hear that the Cards front office is entertaining the thought of bringing the talented Golden back into the nest.