The top 4 Arizona Cardinals chasing milestones in 2022

Several Arizona Cardinals players are on the brink of being in elite company as they seek to continue adding to their Hall of Fame resumes.

There is always joy knowing that you are about to watch an all-time great player. And the Arizona Cardinals have a few of them on the 2022 roster.

There always exists the possibility of witnessing history. Those players are the reason us fans are always on the edges of our seats on game day hoping we don’t miss any highlights or game defining plays that will be talked about the following week.

The excitement of seeing these players accomplish their goals and reach illustrious milestones makes the NFL worth watching  and it’s those types of players who make tuning in every week well worth it. Not every team in the league have these caliber of players on their roster.

But the Cardinals are lucky enough to have four of them. JJ Watt, DeAndre Hopkins, Zach Ertz, and A.J. Green all have opportunities to one day be enshrined in Canton. And it would be great if they could solidify their resumes in a Cardinals uniform. Let’s take a closer look at these players as they attempt to cement their places in history and add to their legacies.

Four Arizona Cardinals chasing milestones in 2022: J.J. Watt looking for health, redemption

Already recognized as one of the greatest pass rushers to play the position, JJ Watt has the opportunity to climb up the all-time sacks list. He is currently tied for 33rd place with 102 total sacks in his career and could move into the top 25 with 6 sacks. Watt is also one of three players to be named Defensive Player of the Year 3 times, and he is 98 sacks away from the all-time record.

While it may seem impossible for what to get there considering his age and injury history, including a calf ailment to open 2022, he could realistically climb up the rankings into top 25 territory with a few seasons of double-digit sack totals. The last time Watt recorded double digit sacks was back in 2018 when he had 16.

Facing a tough situation in the desert

Can he revert back to the attacking, destructive , turnover causing machine he was back in his prime? There will be many variables that will come into play that will determine Watt’s level of production. Will he have enough playmakers around him?

The Cardinals lost three key pieces on their defense during free agency. Chandler Jones, Jordan Phillips and Jordan Hicks all joined other teams in the offseason, so it will be all up to Zaven Collins, Isaiah Simmons and rookie Myjai Sanders to help generate pressure on opposing offenses and keep Watt from getting double teamed on every play. It also depends on how Vance Joseph tailors his scheme to fit Watt’s unique skill set.

Joseph knows exactly what Watt is capable of and how he can wreck an opposing team’s game plan. Watt has to be anxious to get back on the field after inly playing in seven games recording just one sack last season.