Bené Benwikere's NFL career can be divided into two distinct periods: Pre-Julio and Post-Julio.
Pre-Julio was the fun stage -- the two-plus years when he was drafted by the Panthers, ascended to a starting cornerback role and made it to the Super Bowl.
Post-Julio was the struggle – the time after the Oct. 2, 2016 game when Falcons' star receiver Julio Jones toasted him so badly that Benwikere was cut by Carolina and became a vagabond. In the span of 11 months, he went to Miami, Green Bay, Cincinnati and Dallas before landing in Arizona this March.
As the Cardinals prepare to play the Seahawks on Sunday, Benwikere is ready to add a third act.
"Everyone is going to go through highs and lows," Benwikere said. "A lot of stuff through my first three years were really high. There weren't too many lows. That one day was really a defining moment, in terms of being a low. I could either take that and say, 'Dang, I'm not an elite athlete, I can't guard a top-5 receiver,' or I could take it as a learning lesson and figure out how to guard a top-5 receiver."
Tuesday is the two-year anniversary of Jones' 12-catch, 300-yard performance, and while it stalled Benwikere's career, it didn't end it.
At that time, the Panthers' defensive backs coach was Steve Wilks. When the Cardinals tabbed him as their new head coach in January, Wilks pursued Benwikere on the free agent market. Despite the rocky ending in Carolina, Benwikere had no misgivings about linking back up with a Carolina-centric coaching staff.
Benwikere said he spoke with Wilks before his release in Carolina and left on good terms.
"Things were what they were," Benwikere said. "At the time, they had three (defensive back) draft picks, I was coming off of an injury, and business is business."
Benwikere began the season as a backup with the Cardinals but his role has steadily increased. In Sunday's 16-14 loss to the Bears, he played in dime packages – registering a half-sack on a blitz -- and took over as the No. 2 cornerback late in the contest.
On Monday, Wilks said Benwikere and incumbent Jamar Taylor would compete in practice to be the Week 4 starter opposite Patrick Peterson. Safety Tre Boston – who was in the same Panthers' draft class as Benwikere -- is ecstatic to see his close friend get another opportunity.
"You might be the scapegoat for some teams, but if you keep fighting through it, you'll get to where you need to be," Boston said. "Right now, it's paying off for him."
Benwikere will be the first to acknowledge he was partly at fault for his Carolina exit. He showed flashes of greatness, but the coaching staff always lobbied for more.
"I was complacent with being good, and being better than a No. 2 receiver," Benwikere said. "They wanted me to have that vision. Follow the mindset of Josh (Norman) at that time, where Josh was that way for a long time and something clicked for him where it was, 'I've got to be top-5.' That was the path, and they didn't see that (from me) at the time."
Defensive coordinator Al Holcomb, the former linebackers coach in Carolina, has seen growth in the 27-year-old Benwikere.
"When we got Bené he was a young player," Holcomb said. "He had to learn to do things our way, become our kind of guy. Over the years, he's matured, without question."
Success came quickly for Benwikere at the NFL level, and Jones' dominant day was a splash of cold water. Two years and five teams later, Benwikere is anxious to show he's a starting-caliber NFL cornerback.
"It's an important spot (in my career)," Benwikere said. "Everyone always talks about getting knocked down. It's what you do after you get knocked down."
Images of past matchups between the Seahawks and Cardinals
Phoenix Cardinals quarterback Gary Hogeboom can't find a receiver due to heavy defensive pressure from Seattle Seahawks (92) David Wyman and (72) Joe Nash during action in their pre-season game, Aug. 12, 1989 in Tempe, Arizona. The Seahawks proved too much for the Cardinals after the game went into overtime and lost 16-10.
Running back Ron Moore (30) of the Phoenix Cardinals is held to a one yard gain as he is tackled by Cortez Kennedy (96) of the Seattle Seahawks during the third quarter of their NFL game in Seattle, Washington, Dec. 19, 1993. Watching the play is Joe Wolf (68) of the Cardinals. Phoenix beat Seattle in overtime, 30-27.
Arizona Cardinals' Chris Gedney (84) takes in a pass while in the grasp of Seattle Seahawks' Fred Thomas (22) and goes for a touchdown in the fourth quarter, Sept. 13, 1998 in Seattle. The play went 23 yards but wasn't enough as Seattle won the game 33-14.
Seattle Seahawks coach Mike Holmgren, left, and Arizona Cardinals coach Vince Tobin, right, walk off the field after the Cardinals defeated the Seahawks 21-3 in a preseason game Saturday, Aug. 12, 2000, at Sun Devil Stadium in Tempe, Ariz.
Seattle Seahawks wide receiver Derrick Mayes, left, cannot hang on to the pass from quarterback Jon Kitna as Arizona Cardinals cornerback Aeneas Williams, right, defends during the first quarter Saturday, Aug. 12, 2000, at Sun Devil Stadium in Tempe, Ariz.
Seattle Seahawks quarterback Trent Dilfer greets Arizona Cardinals cornerback Duane Starks following their game Sunday, Sept. 15, 2002, in the team's new stadium in Seattle. Arizona won, 24-13.
Arizona Cardinals' Thomas Jomes evades a diving Seattle Seahawks' Reggie Tongue to run 58 yards for a touchdown during the third quarter in the Cardinals 24-13 win over the Seahawks in Seattle Sunday Sept. 15, 2002.
Seattle Seahawks' Shawn Springs (24) intercepts a pass from Arizona Cardinals quarterback Jake Plummer in the second quarter Sunday, Nov. 10, 2002, at Sun Devil Stadium in Tempe, Ariz. Seahawks' Reggie Williams, lower left, and Jeff George, far right, watch as Cardinals' Frank Sanders (81), Jason McAddley, top left, and Steve Bush, right rear, defend. It was the second interception of the half for Plummer.
Seattle Seahawks wide receiver Jerry Rice watches his new team from the sidelines in the second quarter against the Arizona Cardinals, Sunday, Oct. 24, 2004, in Tempe, Ariz.
Seattle Seahawks' Shaun Alexander, right, outruns Arizona Cardinals' Duane Starks on a 23-yard scoring run in the fourth quarter Sunday, Dec. 26, 2004, in Seattle. Alexander rushed 30 times for 154 yards with three touchdowns, leading Seattle to a 24-21 win.
Seattle Seahawks quarterback Trent Delfter (4) passes to Maurice Morris, right, as Walter Jones (71) defends against Arizona Cardinals' Bertrand Berry in the second quarter Sunday, Dec. 26, 2004, in Seattle. Five-time Pro Bowl tackle Jones left in the third with an ankle injury. The Seahawks won, 24-21.
Seattle Seahawks' Marcus Trufant can't stop Arizona Cardinals' Larry Fitzgerald from scoring a touchdown in the first quarter Sunday, Oct. 24, 2004, in Tempe, Ariz.
Seattle Seahawks' Chike Okeafor (56) strips the ball away from Arizona Cardinals quarterback Josh McCown in the first quarter Sunday, Oct. 24, 2004, in Tempe, Ariz.
Seattle Seahawks' Ken Hamlin, left, stops Arizona Cardinals running back Emmitt Smith after a short gain in the second quarter Sunday, Oct. 24, 2004, in Tempe, Ariz.
Arizona Cardinals' Emmitt Smith (22) is brought down by Seattle Seahawks' Orlando Huff, back, and Ken Lucas, right, during the second quarter in Seattle Sunday Dec. 26, 2004. Smith rushed for 65 yards in the 24-21 win for the Seahawks.
Seattle Seahawks quarterback Matt Hasselbeck (8) is hurried as Arizona Cardinals Chike Okeafor (56) and Darnell Dockett (90) pursue during the first quarter Sunday, Nov. 6, 2005 at Sun Devil Stadium in Tempe, Ariz.
Seattle Seahawks Andre Dyson, rear, pulls down Arizona Cardinals Larry Fitzgerald after a short gain during the first quarter Sunday, Nov. 6, 2005 at Sun Devil Stadium in Tempe, Ariz.
Seattle Seahawks Leroy Hill (56) pulls down Arizona Cardinals quarterback Kurt Warner during the first quarter Sunday, Nov. 6, 2005 at Sun Devil Stadium in Tempe, Ariz.
Arizona Cardinals quarterback Curt Warner passes the ball during the second quarter as Adam Haayer blocks Seattle Seahawks' Bryce Fisher, Sunday, Sept. 25, 2005, in Seattle.
Seattle Seahawks' Shaun Alexander dives into the end zone from the one-yard line for a touchdown with Arizona Cardinals' Adrian Wilson defending during the third quarter, in Seattle, Sunday, Sept. 25, 2005. Alexander scored four touchdowns in the 37-12 win over the Cardinals.
Arizona Cardinals' Obafemi Ayanbadejo (30) leaps over Seattle Seahawks' Kelly Herndon as he gains additional yards on a 13 yard pass-play in the third quarter Sunday, Sept. 17, 2006, in Seattle. The Seahawks won, 21-10.
Arizona Cardinals defensive tackle Darnell Dockett reaches to grab Seattle Seahawaks running back Shaun Alexander from behind during a football game in Seattle, Saturday, Sept. 17, 2006.
Seattle Seahawks' Maurice Morris (20) races ahead of Arizona Cardinals' Karlos Dansby on a third quarter 27 yard pass reception, Sunday, Sept. 17, 2006, in Seattle. The Seahawks won 21-10.
Seattle Seahawks' Julian Peterson, left, hurries Arizona Cardinals quarterback Matt Leinart (7) during the second quarter of their football game Sunday, Dec. 10, 2006 in Glendale, Ariz.
Arizona Cardinals' Larry Fitzgerald, left, runs with the ball after catching a pass with Seattle Seahawks' Deon Grant grabbing from behind during the first quarter of their football game in Seattle, Sunday, Dec. 9, 2007.
Arizona Cardinals' Sean Morey, left, blocks the punt of Seattle Seahawks' Ryan Plackemeier in the first quarter in an NFL football game Sunday, Sept. 16, 2007, in Glendale, Ariz.
Seattle Seahawks' Deion Branch, right, catches a 17-yard touchdown as Arizona Cardinals' Oliver Celestin defends during the second quarter of an NFL football game Sunday, Dec. 9, 2007, in Seattle.
Arizona Cardinals running back Edgerrin James (32) picks up a short gain as Seattle Seahawks' Marcus Trufant defends during the fourth quarter of an NFL football game Sunday, Sept. 16, 2007, in Glendale, Ariz. The Cardinals won 23-20.
Arizona Cardinals' Leonard Pope (82) celebrates his touchdown as Seattle Seahawks' Julian Peterson looks on during the second quarter of an NFL football game Sunday, Sept. 16, 2007, in Glendale, Ariz.
Seattle Seahawks quarterback Matt Hasselbeck (8) and Arizona Cardinals' Bertrand Berry (92) battle for the loose ball after the Seahawks fumbled during the fourth quarter of an NFL football game Sunday, Sept. 16, 2007, in Glendale, Ariz. The fumble set up a game-winning field goal for the Cardinals who won 23-20.
Arizona Cardinals running back Edgerrin James (32) stiff arms Seattle Seahawks' Will Herring (54) during the third quarter of an NFL football game Sunday, Dec. 28, 2008, in Glendale, Ariz. The Cardinals won 34-21.
Arizona Cardinals cornerback Dominique Rodgers-Cromartie (29) celebrates his second-quarter interception against the Seattle Seahawks with Cardinals' Karlos Dansby in an NFL football game Sunday, Nov. 16, 2008 in Seattle.
Arizona Cardinals' Tim Hightower (34) in action against the Seattle Seahawks on Sunday, Nov. 16, 2008, in Seattle.
Arizona Cardinals' Kurt Warner (13) in action against the Seattle Seahawks on Sunday, Nov. 16, 2008, in Seattle. (AP Photo/Elaine Thompson)
Arizona Cardinals WR Larry Fitzgerald runs after a reception against the Seattle Seahawks in the second quarter during an NFL football game, Sunday, Oct. 18, 2009, in Seattle.
Seattle Seahawks' Craig Terrill, left, sacks Arizona Cardinals quarterback Max Hall in the first half of an NFL football game, Sunday, Oct. 24, 2010, in Seattle.
The Seattle Seahawks and the Arizona Cardinals line during the first quarter of an NFL football game Sunday, Nov. 14, 2010, in Glendale, Ariz.
Seattle Seahawks wide receiver Mike Williams (17) pulls in a pass as Arizona Cardinals cornerback Dominique Rodgers-Cromartie defends during the first quarter of an NFL football game Sunday, Nov. 14, 2010, in Glendale, Ariz.
Seattle Seahawks Marcus Trufant, left, and Walter Thurmond, right, tackle Arizona Cardinals Tim Hightower, center, causing a fumble, in the first half of an NFL football game, Sunday, Oct. 24, 2010, in Seattle.
Seattle Seahawks' Max Unger (60) blocks Arizona Cardinals' Darnell Dockett, right in the first half of a NFL football game, Sunday, Sept. 25, 2011, in Seattle.
Arizona Cardinals' A.J. Jefferson, right, breaks up a pass in the end zone meant for Seattle Seahawks' Sidney Rice with less than a minute left on third down in the first half of an NFL football game, Sunday, Sept. 25, 2011, in Seattle.
Seattle Seahawks wide receiver Sidney Rice makes the catch as Arizona Cardinals cornerback Patrick Peterson makes the tackle during the first half of an NFL football game, Sunday, Sept. 9, 2012, in Glendale, Ariz.
Seattle Seahawks defensive tackle Brandon Mebane (92) and outside linebacker K.J. Wright (50) tackle Arizona Cardinals running back LaRod Stephens-Howling (36) during the first quarter of an NFL football game in Seattle, Sunday, Dec. 9, 2012.
Arizona Cardinals running back Chester Taylor (29) leaps over the line to score a touchdown against the Seattle Seahawks during the first half of an NFL football game on Sunday, Jan. 1, 2012, in Tempe, Ariz.
Arizona Cardinals' Richard Marshall (31) makes a diving tackle on Seattle Seahawks' Leon Washington (33) during the second quarter in an NFL football game on Sunday, Jan. 1, 2012, in Glendale, Ariz.
Arizona Cardinals tight end Rob Housler (84) is tackled by Seattle Seahawks free safety Earl Thomas (29) during the first half of an NFL football game in Seattle, Sunday, Dec. 9, 2012.
Seattle Seahawks quarterback Russell Wilson (3) reacts to a missed pass as Arizona Cardinals free safety Kerry Rhodes (25) defends as time expires during the second half of an NFL football game on Sunday, Sept. 9, 2012, in Glendale, Ariz. The Cardinals won 20-16.
Seattle Seahawks wide receiver Golden Tate, right, can't catch the ball under pressure by Arizona Cardinals cornerback Patrick Peterson (21) during the first half of an NFL football game, Thursday, Oct. 17, 2013, in Glendale, Ariz.
Arizona Cardinals quarterback Carson Palmer (3) is sacked by Seattle Seahawks defensive tackle Tony McDaniel (99) during the first half of an NFL football game, Thursday, Oct. 17, 2013, in Glendale, Ariz.
Arizona Cardinals' Michael Floyd, right, catches the ball for a touchdown as Seattle Seahawks' Byron Maxwell defends in the second half of an NFL football game, Sunday, Dec. 22, 2013, in Seattle.
Arizona Cardinals Karlos Dansby celebrates after he made an interception against the Seattle Seahawks in the second half of an NFL football game, Sunday, Dec. 22, 2013, in Seattle. The Cardinals won 17-10.
Seattle Seahawks quarterback Russell Wilson scrambles under pressure in the first half of an NFL football game against the Arizona Cardinals, Sunday, Nov. 23, 2014, in Seattle.
Seattle Seahawks cornerback Byron Maxwell, left, runs the ball after making an interception as Arizona Cardinals running back Andre Ellington, right, attempts a tackle in the first half of an NFL football game, Sunday, Nov. 23, 2014, in Seattle.
Arizona Cardinals quarterback Ryan Lindley (14) throws against the Seattle Seahawks during the second half of an NFL football game, Sunday, Dec. 21, 2014, in Glendale, Ariz.
Seattle Seahawks running back Marshawn Lynch (24) during the first quarter of an NFL football game against the Arizona Cardinals, Sunday, Dec. 21, 2014 in Glendale, Ariz.
Seattle Seahawks quarterback Russell Wilson lies on the turf with the football after he recovered his own fumble for a safety as Arizona Cardinals defensive end Frostee Rucker (92) reacts in the first half of an NFL football game, Sunday, Nov. 15, 2015, in Seattle.
Arizona Cardinals tight end Jermaine Gresham holds the football behind his back as a television camera records his celebration after his touchdown reception against the Seattle Seahawks during the second half of an NFL football game, Sunday, Nov. 15, 2015, in Seattle.
Arizona Cardinals running back Andre Ellington scores a touchdown against the Seattle Seahawks in the second half of an NFL football game, Sunday, Nov. 15, 2015, in Seattle.
Seattle Seahawks wide receiver Jermaine Kearse (15) tries to elude Arizona Cardinals cornerback Jerraud Powers (25) during the first half of an NFL football game, Sunday, Jan. 3, 2016, in Glendale, Ariz.
Arizona Cardinals wide receiver Larry Fitzgerald (11) scores a touchdown against the Seattle Seahawks during the first half of an NFL football game, Sunday, Jan. 3, 2016, in Glendale, Ariz.
Arizona Cardinals running back David Johnson (31) in the first half during an NFL football game against the Seattle Seahawks, Sunday, Oct. 23, 2016, in Glendale, Ariz.
Arizona Cardinals defensive back D.J. Swearinger (36) celebrates his defensive stop after Seattle Seahawks running back C.J. Prosise (22) falls short of a first down during the second half of a football game, Sunday, Oct. 23, 2016, in Glendale, Ariz.
Arizona Cardinals' David Johnson in action against the Seattle Seahawks in the second half of an NFL football game, Saturday, Dec. 24, 2016, in Seattle.
Arizona Cardinals outside linebacker Markus Golden reacts after a play against the Seattle Seahawks in the first half of an NFL football game, Saturday, Dec. 24, 2016, in Seattle.
Arizona Cardinals kicker Chandler Catanzaro (7) is congratulated after kicking a winning field goal against the Seattle Seahawks at the end of the second half of an NFL football game, Saturday, Dec. 24, 2016, in Seattle. The Cardinals won 34-31.
Arizona Cardinals quarterback Drew Stanton (5) during an NFL football game against the Seattle Seahawks, Thursday, Nov. 9, 2017, in Glendale, Ariz. The Seahawks won 22-16.
Seattle Seahawks tight end Jimmy Graham (88) catches a touchdown pass as Arizona Cardinals strong safety Tyvon Branch (27) defends during the first half of an NFL football game, Thursday, Nov. 9, 2017, in Glendale, Ariz.
Seattle Seahawks tight end Jimmy Graham (88) tries to fend off Arizona Cardinals safety Budda Baker (36) as Graham runs after a reception in the second half of an NFL football game, Sunday, Dec. 31, 2017, in Seattle.
Arizona Cardinals wide receiver Jaron Brown celebrates after making a catch for a touchdown against the Seattle Seahawks in the first half of an NFL football game, Sunday, Dec. 31, 2017, in Seattle.
Arizona Cardinals head coach Bruce Arians is hugged by quarterback Drew Stanton (5) after Seattle Seahawks kicker Blair Walsh missed a field goal at the end of an NFL football game, Sunday, Dec. 31, 2017, in Seattle.
Arizona Cardinals wide receiver Christian Kirk (13) during an NFL football game against the Seattle Seahawks, Sunday, Sept. 30, 2018, in Glendale, Ariz.
Seattle Seahawks defensive back Earl Thomas (29) is greeted by Arizona Cardinals players as he leaves the field after breaking his leg during the second half of an NFL football game, Sunday, Sept. 30, 2018, in Glendale, Ariz. The Seahawks won 20-17.
Arizona Cardinals running back David Johnson (31) during an NFL football game against the Seattle Seahawks, Sunday, Sept. 30, 2018, in Glendale, Ariz.
