Arizona Cardinals preparing to part ways with Jordan Hicks
By Jim Koch
When being informed of the news that he would be joining the Arizona Cardinals, the reaction from Tulsa’s Zaven Collins was priceless. There were tears of joy, a few expletives and a refreshing display of unbridled emotion from the charismatic linebacker. What came next for the excited Collins was a message from Arizona’s on-field leader, Kliff Kingsbury.
“Get ready to come in and get going, there ain’t no redshirting,” said the Cards head coach to the franchise’s top selection. If Kingsbury was being truthful, that could be bad news for one of the defense’s most-productive tacklers.
Jordan Hicks, the projected starter at one of the two inside linebacker spots for the Cardinals, could be on his way out. The Collins pick came out of nowhere, and it has left the 28-year old Hicks in limbo. Is it possible that the seventh-year NFL veteran will be employed by another squad when the regular-season gets underway?
Both Kingsbury and Arizona general manager Steve Keim have given every indication that Collins will get loads of playing time this coming fall. Isaiah Simmons, the organization’s eighth-overall draft choice in 2020, is expected to be starting right beside the 6’5, 260 pound Collins. Whether the 6’1, 236 pound Hicks will be retained as a backup or not remains to be seen.
The classy Hicks agreed to a $3 million pay cut back in March, a concession that allowed the former Philadelphia Eagles draft pick to stay with the Cards. Last season, the former third-round selection racked up an impressive 118 tackles, an interception and four passes defensed in 16 starts. In 2019, Hicks registered 150 tackles, three picks, six pass breakups and 1.5 sacks in another 16 appearances for the Cardinals.
Keim and the rest of the front office will have a tough decision to make this coming summer with Hicks. Collins is a confident young man who is determined to hit the ground running with the Arizona defensive unit. It could simply be a case of out with the old, in with the new at inside linebacker for the Redbirds in 2021.