QB Kyler Murray among Cardinals’ 9 captains for 2021
The Arizona Cardinals announced their team captains for the 2021 season. They voted nine players as their captains this year, including a pair of veteran players in their first year with the Cardinals.
Quarterback Kyler Murray was among the captains. It is the second year in a row he was named captain.
It is the first time in some time that neither Patrick Peterson nor Larry Fitzgerald are captains. Neither player, of course, are on the roster. Peterson signed with the Minnesota Vikings after he was not given an offer by the Cardinals once free agency began, while Fitzgerald appears to have retired.
Check out the 2021 Cardinals captains below.
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QB Kyler Murray
Rob Schumacher/The Republic-USA TODAY NETWORK
Murray is a captain for the second year in a row and that makes twice in his three-year career. It is common for quarterbacks to be named captains and Murray knows it comes with responsibility. Many have questioned his leadership ability and his demeanor but he clearly has had the respect of his teammates, being named captain for the second year in a row.
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Humphries is also a captain for the second straight year. After getting his contract extension last year, he really stepped up as the leader of the offensive line, which was needed after center A.Q. Shipley, one of the 2019 captains, was not brought back in free agency. He has a line full of leaders except for second-year pro Josh Jones, who is now the starting right guard. He isn't even the only captain from the offensive line.
C Rodney Hudson
(AP Photo/Ross D. Franklin)
It took no time for Hudson to be a leader on the team. He was acquired this offseason in a trade from the Las Vegas Raiders and walked in with a solid cache of leadership. He solidifies the middle of the offensive line.
Patrick Breen-The Republic
Hopkins is in his second year with the Cardinals and is a captain for the first time for Arizona. This comes after a franchise-record 115 catches in 2020 and, of course, the famed "Hail Murray" catch to beat the Buffalo Bills.
DE J.J. Watt
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Watt is a newcomer to Arizona Cardinals, signing in the offseason after he was released by the Houston Texans. This is no surprise. He commands respect wherever he is, simply with how he prepares, studies and practices. He didn't have to do anything to win over his teammates. He just had to be himself.
OLB Chandler Jones
Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports
Jones is a captain for the fourth straight season. Ever since his monster 2017 season, he has been a player his teammates have looked to for leadership.
Rob Schumacher/The Arizona Republic via USA TODAY NETWORK
Baker is a captain for the second year in a row, although he was not voted as a captain initially last year. He was given captain status after Chandler Jones was lost for the season and placed on injured reserve. This came after his big contract extension and makes sense because he has been a leader on the field. He is now trying to take it up a level by being more vocal and not letting small mistakes get overlooked.
ILB Jordan Hicks
(AP Photo/Ross D. Franklin)
Hicks' demotion to the bench has done nothing to change how his teammates feel about him. He is a captain for the second straight season and, while he is not a starter anymore, he will have an important role in the defense when Isaiah Simmons is moving around to other positions.
OLB Dennis Gardeck
Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports
Gardeck is a captain representing special teams for the season straight season and it comes after he also exploded with seven sacks in only 93 defensive snaps. He was a Pro Bowl alternate as a special teamer in 2019.
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