The Arizona Cardinals finished their abysmal 4-13 season with a debilitating loss at the hands of the San Francisco 49ers. Now, they say goodbye to some players.
That was a tough one to watch. The Arizona Cardinals finished the season at the lowest of lows, losing in a 38-13 blowout to Brock Purdy and the San Francisco 49ers. This game was likely head coach Kliff Kingsbury’s last rodeo, and rightfully so.
But it was also the final game for the following three players. Or at least it should have been the last game, barring anything unforeseen. Anyway, without further ado, let’s meet them.
1 – J.J. Watt
Let’s be real here: J.J. Watt could play another two seasons if he wanted to. But as it stands, retirement is the better option, and it’s easy to understand that.
Watt had an unforgettable season in what was otherwise a forgettable year for the Arizona Cardinals. He logged 12.5 sacks, 18 tackles for a loss, and 25 quarterback hits. Talk about replacing the departed Chandler Jones (numbers-wise) for a season.
2 – Markus Golden
Golden struggled in all facets, and he will likely be a cap casualty. I’ve been saying for a while the Arizona Cardinals must undergo a (near) complete rebuild, and that means shedding older players who underperformed. Golden fits that mold.
Overall, he had just 2.5 sacks and 7 tackles for loss. He did log 19 quarterback hits, so it showed he was still a relatively effective pass rusher. However, there will be better options to replace him in the NFL Draft.
3 – A.J. Green
Let’s give props to A.J. Green: He ended his career with the Arizona Cardinals with a few style points. But his services are no longer required nor are they desired. The 34-year-old Green had just 24 catches this season, 2 touchdowns, and 222 receiving yards.
Overall, Green is either done as a player or he will go fulfill a depth role next season. Perhaps he will play a year in Cincinnati as a fifth receiver and try to win a Super Bowl? Wherever he ends up in 2023, it won’t be in the desert.
(Statistics provided by Pro-Football-Reference)
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