Greg Dortch felt unwanted, but then again, how else would he have felt?
The wide receiver went undrafted. He spent time on several practice squads and was released multiple times.
"They didn't think I was good enough," Dortch said. "That's how I looked at it. I thought about getting a regular job (at one point). It was that serious."
Yet there was Dortch on Friday night, following up what has been an impressive training camp with four catches for 53 yards and adding a 55-yard punt return in the Cardinals' 36-23 Week 1 preseason victory over the Bengals.
Dortch showcased why he could warrant a spot in the Cardinals' talented receiver room, but Kliff Kingsbury said he knew what Dortch could do on the field. That's why his performance didn't surprise the head coach.
"We watched it every day in practice last year when he was on the scout team," Kingsbury said. "He's got a tremendous ability to make plays. I've said it throughout the camp; his biggest deal was getting the offense down where he knows it inside and outside. So, he can play fast in our system consistently."
Dortch came to the Cardinals during training camp last season -- a move that nearly didn't happen.
With a lack of opportunity knocking at his door, Dortch prepared to join the Canadian Football League. The Cardinals changed those plans with a phone call, offering a tryout the day before Dortch was supposed to go north of the border.
It didn't hurt to have associate head coach/wide receivers coach Shawn Jefferson on staff to vouch for him, either. Jefferson was familiar with Dortch from the wideout's playing days at the University of Wake Forest. With Jefferson coaching with the Jets, he worked Dortch out after Dortch declared the draft.
Jefferson was surprised Dortch was coming out early from school, given that his draft stock wasn't high. Dortch was honest: At 5-foot-7, he wasn't getting any taller if he stayed in school.
His journey was hard, the multiple rejections hurt. But with the Cardinals, Dortch has found a place he fits.
Dortch had 15 receiving yards on three catches in five games last season while contributing on kick returns. Now after an entire offseason to understand the system better, things appear headed upward for Dortch. That showed in Cincinnati.
"I want to build off that and use it as momentum," Dortch said. "It felt good to play against someone new and not my teammates every day in practice. Now that I'm here, it's about proving to myself that I belong."
Dortch views his recent success as a stepping stone towards his goal: being a role model for athletes faced with similar circumstances.
Dortch acknowledges the lack of success created doubt, but a robust support system helped to push through. Now it's about inspiring others to do the same.
That's why a small taste of success won't deter his mindset from proving his doubters wrong.
"This is bigger than me," Dortch said. "Football is football; I want to teach people you can use football in real life. Sometimes things won't go your way, but you have to go after it again. That's just how life is. People can use me as a testimony in their everyday lives."
Images from 2022 Cardinals Training Camp at State Farm Stadium
The alternate helmet during the 2022 Arizona Cardinals Training Camp at State Farm Stadium on Sunday, August 14, 2022 in Glendale, AZ.
Arizona Cardinals wide receiver Marquise Brown (2) during the 2022 Arizona Cardinals Training Camp at State Farm Stadium on Sunday, August 14, 2022 in Glendale, AZ.
Arizona Cardinals running back Eno Benjamin (26) during the 2022 Arizona Cardinals Training Camp at State Farm Stadium on Monday, August 15, 2022 in Glendale, AZ.
Arizona Cardinals quarterback Trace McSorley (19) during the 2022 Arizona Cardinals Training Camp at State Farm Stadium on Monday, August 15, 2022 in Glendale, AZ.
Arizona Cardinals safety Jalen Thompson (34) during the 2022 Arizona Cardinals Training Camp at State Farm Stadium on Monday, August 15, 2022 in Glendale, AZ.
Arizona Cardinals wide receiver Rondale Moore (4) during the 2022 Arizona Cardinals Training Camp at State Farm Stadium on Monday, August 15, 2022 in Glendale, AZ.
Arizona Cardinals wide receiver Jontre Kirklin (31) during the 2022 Arizona Cardinals Training Camp at State Farm Stadium on Monday, August 15, 2022 in Glendale, AZ.
Arizona Cardinals quarterback Kyler Murray (1) during the 2022 Arizona Cardinals Training Camp at State Farm Stadium on Monday, August 15, 2022 in Glendale, AZ.
Arizona Cardinals quarterback Kyler Murray (1) during the 2022 Arizona Cardinals Training Camp at State Farm Stadium on Monday, August 15, 2022 in Glendale, AZ.
Arizona Cardinals wide receiver Marquise Brown (2) during the 2022 Arizona Cardinals Training Camp at State Farm Stadium on Monday, August 15, 2022 in Glendale, AZ.
The Arizona Cardinals during the 2022 Arizona Cardinals Training Camp at State Farm Stadium on Monday, August 15, 2022 in Glendale, AZ.
Arizona Cardinals running back James Conner (6) and Arizona Cardinals safety Budda Baker (3) during the 2022 Arizona Cardinals Training Camp at State Farm Stadium on Monday, August 15, 2022 in Glendale, AZ.
Arizona Cardinals cornerback Jace Whittaker (39) and Arizona Cardinals wide receiver JaVonta Payton (32) during the 2022 Arizona Cardinals Training Camp at State Farm Stadium on Monday, August 15, 2022 in Glendale, AZ.
Arizona Cardinals quarterback Trace McSorley (19) during the 2022 Arizona Cardinals Training Camp at State Farm Stadium on Monday, August 15, 2022 in Glendale, AZ.
Arizona Cardinals wide receiver A.J. Green (18) during the 2022 Arizona Cardinals Training Camp at State Farm Stadium on Monday, August 15, 2022 in Glendale, AZ.
Arizona Cardinals quarterback Trace McSorley (19) during the 2022 Arizona Cardinals Training Camp at State Farm Stadium on Monday, August 15, 2022 in Glendale, AZ.
Arizona Cardinals cornerback Byron Murphy Jr. (7) during the 2022 Arizona Cardinals Training Camp at State Farm Stadium on Monday, August 15, 2022 in Glendale, AZ.
Arizona Cardinals wide receiver DeAndre Hopkins (10) during the 2022 Arizona Cardinals Training Camp at State Farm Stadium on Sunday, August 14, 2022 in Glendale, AZ.
Arizona Cardinals running back Keaontay Ingram (30) and Arizona Cardinals cornerback Josh Jackson (36) during the 2022 Arizona Cardinals Training Camp at State Farm Stadium on Monday, August 15, 2022 in Glendale, AZ.
Arizona Cardinals wide receiver A.J. Green (18) during the 2022 Arizona Cardinals Training Camp at State Farm Stadium on Sunday, August 14, 2022 in Glendale, AZ.
Arizona Cardinals punter Nolan Cooney (15) during the 2022 Arizona Cardinals Training Camp at State Farm Stadium on Monday, August 15, 2022 in Glendale, AZ.
Arizona Cardinals wide receiver Jontre Kirklin (31) and Arizona Cardinals cornerback Jace Whittaker (39) during the 2022 Arizona Cardinals Training Camp at State Farm Stadium on Monday, August 15, 2022 in Glendale, AZ.
