Center position will be a priority of the Arizona Cardinals in 2023
By Jim Koch
The Arizona Cardinals need to formulate a plan for the center position as the franchise embarks on this all-important offseason.
Less than two years ago, the Arizona Cardinals orchestrated a trade for for one of the best centers in professional football. Unfortunately, Rodney Hudson turned out to be damaged goods, and the Cards will now have to find a replacement for the 33-year-old blocker.
With his body now failing him, all signs point to Hudson calling it quits following his 12 seasons in the NFL. According to reports, the three-time Pro Bowler was talked out of retirement last summer by former general manager Steve Keim. The aging Hudson played in just four games for the Cardinals last fall before an injured knee ended his campaign.
Keim put a band-aid on the situation in early October when he signed veteran Billy Price off of the scrap heap. The former first-round draft pick of the Cincinnati Bengals started the Redbirds’ final 11 matchups, performing admirably for the squad’s banged-up offensive line.
Arizona Cardinals could look for an upgrade over Billy Price at center in 2023
Price will now be looking to cash in on what he accomplished for the Cards when he hits the free-agent market in roughly two months. There’s a possibility that Arizona could have interest in retaining the 28-year-old center, but they could also attempt to acquire an upgrade for the all-important position.
One player who the Cardinals could pursue when free agency gets underway in March is Connor McGovern, a seventh-year pro from the New York Jets. The 29-year-old became a full-time center with the Denver Broncos back in 2019, and has started 64 games at the spot over the last four campaigns.
Garrett Bradbury, a 27-year-old who has logged 57 starts for the Minnesota Vikings, is another possibility. One additional option is Ethan Pocic, a former starter for the Seattle Seahawks who spent last year with the Cleveland Browns.
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The Cards will have a bevy of holes to fill when they finally get a new general manager in place. Center is just one of many positions that will need to be addressed by the organization in 2023.
(Information provided by Pro Football Reference and Spotrac.com)
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