Arizona Cardinals not signing Akiem Hicks is a bad look

The Arizona Cardinals had plenty of time to figure something out to fix their interior defensive line.

Something that really should have been done before the trade deadline was trading for Akiem Hicks. I had called for the Cardinals to do so and even still pushed them to sign him once free agency began.

But alas, here we are yet again with inactivity by the Arizona Cardinals. Did I mention he joined the Tampa Bay “Bruce Arians” (Buccaneers)? As if “Arizona East” couldn’t get any more intolerable, it did. On top of that, the Christmas Day matchup at home against Tampa Bay will really show what the Cardinals are missing.

Teams like the Minnesota Vikings and Indianapolis Colts (who also participated in ruining Cardinals fans’ Christmas last year) used the run game to their advantage last year.

While the Cardinals’ defense limited Taylor in that game after the first quarter to their credit, a touchdown was already given up before anyone blinked.

All hope is not lost for the Arizona Cardinals to improve their interior defensive line.

As sweet as it would’ve been to have Hicks at the forefront of the defensive line, the Cardinals can still add another playmaker in the middle.

Enter former Cincinnatti Bengal Larry Ogunjobi. After only one season with the Bengals, in which he was a crucial part of their Super Bowl LVI run, he’s out on the market.

Yes, Ogunjobi got hurt during the playoffs. But, no, it’s not a big deal. Arizona’s two weakest positions are both on defense- the interior defensive line and the cornerback group. Both must be addressed, and Ogunjobi’s 6’4″, 305-pound frame is precisely what the Cardinals need.

Teams always talk about taking the next step. This acquisition would be in that said category- an elite run stuffer who can open up lanes for those first-round linebackers behind him.