The Arizona Cardinals have scooped up some much-needed help on the defensive side of the ball, inking former Philadelphia Eagles inside linebacker to a hefty four-year contract.
Niner Noise
Last season, the Arizona Cardinals went 3-13 and finished 26th in the league in points per game allowed, so they clearly needed to make major upgrades on the defensive side of the ball. While most of the offseason storylines will focus on the Cardinals’ rumored interest in Heisman Trophy winner Kyler Murray, the Cardinals must build a squad that properly supports whoever is starting under center next season.
Part of that responsibility involves making upgrades on defense, and signing Jordan Hicks, who helped the Philadelphia Eagles win the Super Bowl two seasons ago, certainly qualifies as a notable upgrade to an inconsistent linebacker corps.
Contract Details
Per the NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport, Hicks has signed a four-year deal worth $36 million, and he’ll earn $20 million in guaranteed money from the Cardinals. Of the $20 million in guarantees, $12 million will come in the form of a signing bonus.
National Reaction
Sorry but not surprised to see Jordan Hicks move on. He’s one of the classiest people I’ve ever met. I wish him success in Arizona. I know he’ll be successful long after his football career ends.
— Merrill Reese (@mreeseeagles) March 12, 2019
Jordan Hicks is a good and much-needed addition at ILB for the Cardinals, though he's moving from a 4-3 to a 3-4. Nonetheless, Cards LBs look good:
— Mike Clay (@MikeClayNFL) March 12, 2019
ILB: Hicks and Haason Reddick
OLB: Chandler Jones and Terrell Suggs
Jordan Hicks was the LB the Cardinals felt they had the best chance of landing and definitely was near the top of the list. Good signing by Arizona to get a LB that can run the defense. This was the big splash in free agency I expected - OG, backup QB & WR still on the docket
— John Gambadoro (@Gambo987) March 12, 2019
The Cardinals’ run defense was particularly embarrassing last season, allowing a whopping 4.9 yards per carry, so if Hicks can give this team some consistency and tenacity against ground games like San Francisco’s, Los Angeles’ and Seattle’s, the $9 million per year will be well-spent from their perspective. Plus, Hicks had three sacks last season and once had five interceptions in a campaign as a linebacker — the last time he played a full 16 games, in 2016 — so there’s tantalizing upside here.