Cardinals expected to add Bashaud Breeland to help depleted CB room

Injuries to two of their top three cornerbacks has prompted the Arizona Cardinals to bring in Bashaud Breeland as a reinforcement.

In a little over a week, the Arizona Cardinals watched as two of their top three cornerbacks were hit with the injury bug. In the midst of an ugly three-game losing streak, the club’s front office has made a move that will hopefully help to remedy the dire situation.

On Monday, multiple reports revealed that the Cards and general manager Steve Keim are expected to sign Bashaud Breeland, a veteran cover guy who was released by the Minnesota Vikings on December 18.

Breeland was expected to be under contract with Arizona already, but he reportedly tested positive for COVID-19 before signing any deal. However, the Cardinals are still expected to sign the former Vikings cornerback when he is cleared to return to the field according to NFL Media’s Tom Pelissero.

The 29-year-old had started 13 games for the Vikes this fall before the organization gave him his walking papers with just four weeks left in the season.

This past weekend, rookie Marco Wilson was sidelined with a shoulder issue during Arizona’s Christmas night loss to the Indianapolis Colts. Just a week before, 33-year-old Robert Alford was placed on the team’s injured-reserve list with a strained pectoral muscle. The Cardinals are counting on the volatile Breeland to act as a reinforcement for their depleted secondary, but there’s a reason that the talented pro was available this late in the year.

Bashaud Breeland brings a bit of baggage with him to the Arizona Cardinals

Minnesota elected to part ways with Breeland after he got into a verbal altercation with a few of his coaches and teammates. It’s been reported that the 5-foot-11,195-pounder took off his cleats during a practice and proceeded to engage in a physical confrontation with a number of the Vikings players.

In April of 2020, Breeland was arrested in South Carolina on multiple charges including resisting arrest, having alcohol in a vehicle with the seal broken, possession of 28 grams or less of marijuana or 10 grams of hash, and driving without a license. He pleaded guilty in October of 2020 and received a 30-day suspended jail sentence and a $100 fine for each charge.

If Breeland can put his off-field issues behind him, the Cards will be getting a corner with one heck of an NFL resume. In 107 career appearances (101 starts), the former Clemson University product has racked up 439 tackles,16 interceptions, 86 pass breakups, and three defensive touchdowns.

Breeland was originally a fourth-round draft pick of the Washington Football Team back in 2014. Besides Washington and Minnesota, the South Carolina native has also had stints with the Green Bay Packers and the Kansas City Chiefs. Breeland was a major contributor to the Super Bowl-winning Chiefs squad back in 2019.