Considering the Cardinals are in that timeframe that is supposed to be a little more quiet and all about draft prep, to add a name free agent and extend one of your stars in the past week certainly provides some splash. Nevertheless, we need to get to a mailbag. Questions have been edited for length and clarity. Don't forget to send a question for a future mailbag with at least a first name and last initial.
From Jay Schubert:
"In your opinion is the signing of Calais Campbell an attempt to allow him to retire with the team that he was originally drafted by or do you see him actually adding firepower to our defensive unit? It would not surprise me to see him retire before the season actually started but then again, he is known as an ageless ironman wonder on defense. How do you see him fitting in?"
Wait, just a second. You tucked it into the middle of your query but did you say it wouldn't surprise you to see him retire before the season? Seriously? That's not happening. Unless you believe he's gonna drop off a cliff playing-wise because of his age (although he has shown no signs that would happen), then you take the age out of the equation. Would you take a player who had the year he had last season and add him as a rotational piece for $5M? I think that's a big yes. So yes, I think he adds to the unit.
From Keke H:
"What sort of affect do you think the Calais signing has on our draft approach? Suddenly we have a deep, and dare I say crowded, DL room. True it's an older group and we do need to get younger, but for a win-now 2025 team, maybe DL is not a round 1 priority? Edge, CB and maybe WR seem more likely now?"
I don't know about wide receiver. In fact, I can't believe you wouldn't mention OL as a round 1 priority. If I had to rank them, I think OL jumps to the top of the list. EDGE will be in there. And to me, that's the round 1 list. OL and EDGE. Won't completely rule out defensive line if I guy is there that just sticks out.
From Drew Lockhart:
"When is Calais going to have his intro presser? We had one for Sweat, I would expect we would get one for CC. Also, this is a big question, but how different are things in 2025 vs 2017 when he left?"
Campbell will have a press conference when he signs his contract. I'd expect that pretty soon. As for how "different" things are from 2017 to now, what are we talking about? His last season was 2016, so the Cardinals still had Keim and Arians. New GM, and three coaches later. The business side of the building is totally different (and literally in a different building). But eight NFL seasons have passed. An eternity in this game.
From Brian Schmidt:
"Hi Darren, thanks for doing the mailbag every week. I'm a long-time reader, first-time writer. I wanted to talk about Monti's historical draft pattern and the 2025 draft. We notice that Monti loves trading back and taking more at-bats, which I've always agreed with. However in preparation for the upcoming draft I do worry a little about oversaturating our roster with new guys (draft picks) and not giving prior draft picks opportunities to flourish. One example is offensive line and the growing prospect of taking a guy round 1. The reason I mention it is we took Isaiah Adams in round 3 and Christian Jones in round 4. I we're constantly bringing in 10 young guys (plus FA acquisitions) then our roster is getting churned at the detriment of development."
I get it. But flip it the other way. The idea is that you get a ton of good players and that raises the bar. If you have an excellent backup, that's good, right? Injuries always happen. I think they like what they have seen from Adams and Jones in their brief careers. But you can't bet that they are going to be the answers. Not yet. Beachum and Jonah Williams will be free agents after this season. As far as development, that's what coaches are supposed to be doing. Developing everyone. Yes, opportunity matters. But if you end up with, say, four or five legit tackles, then maybe you trade one for a draft pick (maybe even a pick that is better than the round you originally spent on the player.) And the circle of (NFL) life begins again.
From Lonnie K:
"Hi Darren. We have built a solid young core of players for now and the future. How about taking a swing at the fence. Trade our first this year and a second next year for Trey Hendrickson and a third this year. Pay Trey a $105M three-year contract. Draft OL, DL, linebacker, and a receiver to stretch the field. No team would like to see us on their schedule. You still have good cap space. Hello Lombardi."
Don't see it happening, and frankly, I personally wouldn't. Don't love handing out that kind of contract to a 30-year-old (especially after the Sweat deal) and in a draft that has a bunch of young edge rushers, I'd prefer to go younger. Your suggestion isn't crazy. But the way the trade market is anymore, you don't give up a one for a player his age and needing that kind of extension. It'll be fascinating to see what happens with Hendrickson by the end of the month.
From Joe A:
"What is your guess for remaining cap space? How much for rookies? I would re-sign Hernandez and Gardeck for low offers with the understanding they're gone softer this season. Any others? Assuming O-line and D-line are finished through the draft. Kyzir White? I'd get behind that! Maybe Krys Barnes?"
Over The Cap still has the Cards with $40M, but the McBride extension isn't figured in yet, nor is the Campbell deal since he has yet to sign. Regardless, there is still a lot of space. I'd be surprised if the free agency spigot isn't shut off totally before the draft. Monti told me at the owners meetings he hadn't shut the door on any of the guys whose contracts had run out. But some of it likely depends on who gets drafted.
From JB Martinez:
"You've been around both Calais and Paris. Who is bigger in person? Also with the addition of Dalvin, our team is getting BEEFY. A very Philly model actually and this is a copycat league, so if it ain't broke! Excited for this season."
I would probably say Calais, since he is slightly taller and has some more mass as an interior d-lineman. PJJ is built like a power forward right now. A Karl Malone-type power forward, but still.
From Carl Couch:
"Pre-empting some preseason drama: I recommend Justin Jones releases, in friendship, No. 93 to Calais, or the fans will call for his release. There's some of us out here who have CC jerseys from 15 years ago that we can't wait to bust out, and respectfully to Justin, Calais is a future ROH member, possible HOFr and institutional player in this league. J.J. Watt 99. Larry Fitz 11. CC 93."
Carl, c'mon now. Any fan calling for a guy's release because of a uniform number is dumb. And people wonder why players sometimes struggle with fans -- that's an example why. I don't know what is going to happen with Calais' number this season, and whether there is a discussion about a swap with Jones. But whatever number he wears it won't change Campbell's presence and that's what matters.
From Paul G:
"Hey Durb. What is the thinking behind us having a draft need at corner? We drafted five of them the past two years plus added Star Thomas. There's no way a guy like Rabbit is sitting and watching even if Budda and Jalen play every snap. I envision him in lots of five- and six-DB packages hitting people. I know you can never have enough corners, but isn't Elijah Jones the new guy we are adding to the room?"
Yes they are adding Elijah and yes they have drafted a bunch. But just like the offensive linemen, you can never have too many and raising the bar is OK. If there is a dude sitting there in whatever round that you love, then you take him, and maybe another guy becomes a trade option. Or whatever. If you are the Cardinals, you don't want to settle for meh pick of, say, an offensive tackle and pass on a dynamic cornerback.
From Rob (he forgot his initial. Twice):
PART 1 "I'm sorry to say, I'm not crazy about the Calais Campbell signing, unless it's a one-day thing for him to retire. The team has been consistently trying to get younger and now they turn around and sign him. Heck, I was probably like everyone when he left, broken, but now he's taking time from younger players to progress. I thought he was and maybe still is a great talent, but why now?"
PART 2 "I know my first rant/question may sound negative. That wasn't my intention or the jist of my question. I'm one of the ones that kept hoping they would sign him back over the last few years. I just hate to see it at the expense of a younger player. All I can say is I'm ok with it, I just don't understand it. I don't have a question, just saying go Cardinals and welcome home Calais."
Man, you're going through it Rob. Let's boil it down to this, and hope this helps you understand: Monti isn't in the business of nostalgia; this isn't Steve Keim (and then you might have reason to pause.) Ossenfort has no ties to Calais, JG has no ties to Calais. You aren't making moves for funsies, not in a season where the pressure to make the playoffs is real. He was signed because they believe he can help. It's a one-year contract. It makes sense.
From Jason Cabrera:
"Maybe a stupid question, but what would you think about the Cardinals trading up to take Abdul Carter? This is supposed to be a 'quality over quantity' draft, so would trading a second to move up and take a dominant edge make sense? Curious what your thoughts are."
I don't think it's a stupid question, at least in the context of trading up for a dominant player. Now, you're not getting from 16 to 2 or 3 with just a second, and frankly, I don't think the Cardinals have the assets or the will to want to move up that far. That's a QB move to me. I think they will have a chance at another EDGE either at 16 or the second round and while it won't be a Carter, it still should be a good prospect.
From Brandon S:
"Hi Darren, was reading a cap casualties projecting, looking for possible Cardinal opportunities out there (not many TBH), but I did notice they listed Jalen Thompson as being our prime candidate. Normally I would say probably not, given we are cash flush and therefore 'cap casualty' isn't really a thing that should affect us. However, the presence of Rabbit does complicate things. We have what appears to be a very talented, young, cheap replacement option waiting in the wings which often spells trouble for expensive veterans. Do you expect the entire band back together for 2025?"
The NFL-sphere this time of year is full of speculation stories that, frankly, have no real basis than imagination or connect-the-dots. In a "cap casualty" story, if you are insisting on having a player from every team, some of them just aren't happening. I get why the speculation with JT, but a) they don't need space and b) Nick Rallis loves his three-safety sets and having JT, Budda and Rabbit as an option there is pretty significant. I don't know what is going to happen when Thompson's contract runs out, but I fully expect him to be part of this push for 2025.
From Carey C:
"Is Trey McBride's extension going to be a season-eve thing? We see those every so often, but usually they are the big-money, contentious ones. A WR or QB whos been fighting a tag or something. Mcbride's extension is a layup, I think that's why fans are confused and anxious about why it's not done yet. There must be some sort of intention behind the timing of it?"
Nope.
OK, clearly I could have thrown out this question, but there is something at the heart of this question I wanted to address. McBride's deal is done, but had it lasted longer, that wouldn't have been a big deal. He said himself he wasn't sure if it might come in OTAs or training camp. As I said before, there was no particular rush in which they had to get it done. That said, McBride is thrilled it's done, and I think it speaks to the way Ossenfort wants to do business.
From Jackson B:
"Hi Darren, long-time reader and first-time writer from Aus. If we have cap room left at the start of, or during the season, is it possible to restructure contracts so that we eat up the whole cap this year and have more cap space in future years? Or do NFL contracts prevent that? Just seems pointless in having too much cap space free in any year and would build future cap flexibility."
So is that Austria or Australia? Can't just leave us hanging, Jackson. I need to know if there is a Bernhard Seikovits lean to your fanhood. Anyway, that's a good question. Remember that whatever cap space you don't use in a particular year can be rolled over to the next year, so there is a balance needed in using up a chunk of what you have in a particular year and keeping some for the future for whatever reason. However, you can re-do a contract or two to push some money into a current year -- but you can't lower locked-in cap hits in the future. If you gave a guy a $25M bonus over a five-year deal, you can't later go back and move any of those later $5M cap hits each season into a current year to burn them up.
From Matt Schroeder:
"I'm certain this week's mailbag is full of excitement about the draft and the re-signing of a fan favorite but I wanted to shift the focus for a moment to shine a light on the annual Pat's Run and to ask a question. For those who don't know, on April 12 the Pat Tillman Foundation will host the 21st annual run/walk that benefits a scholarship fund for about 1,000 Tillman Scholars (veterans selected for Humble Leadership, Service, and Impact in their communities). It is not too late to register! I've tried to connect with someone in the Cardinals organization regarding having an American flag flown at the Cardinals facility or at State Farm Stadium that would then be presented to a service member (and diehard Cardinals fan) at their retirement ceremony. Any thoughts on where to go for this request?"
I will be there as I have been for all but two of the Tillman runs, joined by a bunch of my co-workers. Pat's Run is a great cause. As for the other idea, do me a favor and send me an email (askdarren@cardinals.nfl.net) and I'll get it to the right people.
From Gail A:
"NOT A QUESTION JUST WANT TO TELL THE CARDINALS I AM THRILLED THEY ARE RE-SIGNING CALAIS CAMPBELL! Always thought he was sorely missed. I think he will again be a super asset for team! ALSO GLAD TREY MCBRIDE IS EXTENDED! OK now please consider a new quarterback."
LOTTA YELLING GOING ON HERE GAIL. But glad you are happy. How about Kyler Murray leads the team to the postseason. That's what they are building for.
From Danny Costello:
"When is Daryl Washington returning? And don't say he won't, CC is back, anything is possible!"
(Anything ... but OK, not that.)
