Jordan Hicks has enjoyed fantastic stint with the Cardinals

Jordan Hicks has been everything the Arizona Cardinals could’ve hoped for and more since he joined the franchise back in 2019.

When the Arizona Cardinals acquired Jordan Hicks back in 2019, the inside linebacker came to the desert with red flags.

After all, the veteran had struggled to remain healthy during his time with the Philadelphia Eagles. In his four campaigns with that franchise, the former third-round draft pick played in all 16 games just once. Was the four-year, $34 million contract that Hicks received from the Cards too much for such a fragile individual?

As it turns out, the Cardinals more than got their money’s worth. Hicks has started in every one of the 49 matchups that he’s been eligible for with the organization. Not bad for a player that missed a total of 21 contests during his four seasons with the Eagles.

Jordan Hicks’ production has been through the roof for the Arizona Cardinals

Back in ’19, Hicks racked up a whopping 150 tackles for Arizona. The 6-foot-1, 236-pounder proved he could be effective in pass coverage as well, notching three interceptions and six pass breakups from his inside linebacker spot. If that wasn’t enough, Hicks also forced four fumbles and was credited with 1.5 sacks for coordinator Vance Joseph‘s defense.

A year later, in 2020, Hicks tallied 118 stops (11 for a loss), knocked down four more pass attempts, and came down with the fourth pick of his stint with the Cards. This past fall, the former University of Texas product produced Pro Bowl-caliber numbers. Hicks totaled 116 tackles, four sacks (the most of his NFL career), and five more pass breakups.

What Hicks accomplished this past fall is even more impressive when you take into consideration the fact that the Cardinals tried to replace him back in April. Zaven Collins was drafted 16th-overall but failed to take the 29-year-old Hicks’ job.

Saying that Arizona has gotten their money’s worth out of Hicks would be an understatement. A playoff clash with the Los Angeles Rams is now just hours away for the Redbirds. It will be reassuring to know that Hicks will once again be calling the defensive signals for a squad that is certainly glad to have him.