Cardinals positional needs and review: Outside linebacker
The Arizona Cardinals are in the offseason and are evaluating what to do to improve and address the roster in 2021.
As we have done previously with the quarterback, running back, wide receiver, offensive line and the defensive line positions, we will look at each position group, how it did in 2020, who is on the roster moving forward and what the Cardinals need at the position moving forward.
Next up are the outside linebackers.
2020 season
Vincent Carchietta-USA TODAY Sports
This season was marked by loss and surprise. Chander Jones, coming off a 19-sack season, openly talked about getting 20 sacks. However, he had only one in five games and then was lost for the season with a torn biceps. Devon Kennard started with two sacks in three games and then got hurt and then contracted COVID. His play wasn't the same the rest of the season and his playing time waned. The surprises were Haason Reddick and Dennis Gardeck. Reddick exploded. He started at a good pace with five sacks in seven games then went through a stretch of five games with none. However, he had five in one game against the New York Giants and added 2.5 more over the final games, finishing with 12.5 sacks on the season. Gardeck played only 93 defensive snaps and had seven sacks. He tore his ACL late in the year. The Cardinals traded for Markus Golden and he had three sacks in nine games but had consistent pressure.
Roster outlook
Robert Deutsch-USA TODAY Sports
Kylie Fitts: Exclusive rights free agent Dennis Gardeck: Restricted free agent Markus Golden: Unrestricted free agent Isaiah Irving: Unrestricted free agent Chandler Jones: Signed through 2021, $20.8 million cap hit in 2021 Devon Kennard: Signed through 2022, $8 million cap hit in 2021 Haason Reddick: Unrestricted free agent Reggie Walker: Signed futures deal for 2021 Shareef Miller: Signed futures deal for 2021
Offseason needs
(AP Photo/Rick Scuteri)
2021 offseason need: moderate
The Cardinals, if they want, have their starters in Jones and Kennard. After that, there are major questions. However, this offseason is about what they do at the position. Do they want to bring back either Reddick or Golden, or even both? Golden loves it here. Reddick finally showed he was worth a first-round pick. The franchise tag is an option but that will eat up basically all the cap space they have. If either Reddick or Golden are brought back, Kennard likely will be a cap casualty. Jones is a candidate for a contract extension and his cap hit in 2021 is the largest on the team. Gardeck's knee injury is unfortunate. He likely would have gotten a restricted free agent tender but now with the ACL, the Cardinals likely bring him back but he isn't going to be able to contribute until at least midseason. Miller and Walker provide some young, intriguing options at depth. In a perfect world, the Cardinals lessen Jones' cap hit and both re-sign Reddick and Golden, giving them three very good options off the edge. Listen to the latest from Cards Wire's Jess Root on his podcast, Rise Up, See Red. Subscribe on Apple podcasts or Spotify. Latest show:
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