The Arizona Cardinals are poised for a strategic roster overhaul as they approach the upcoming NFL free agency period. With between $75 million and $80 million in cap space, General Manager Monti Ossenfort has prioritized re-signing several key players before the frenzy begins. This financial flexibility, the highest in Ossenfort's tenure with Arizona and fourth-most in the league, positions the Cardinals to address critical team needs effectively.
Ossenfort emphasized the importance of retaining talent, particularly among the 20 unsigned free agents, which include five offensive linemen who each started at least two games last season. "We had a lot of guys that played snaps for us this past year that provided quality depth for us that were starters," Ossenfort commented. The Cardinals aim to secure deals with these players before the market opens, acknowledging that negotiations require mutual agreement. "And, so, those are things that we're going to try to work through because you never know. We're going to try to get guys signed and it takes two to do a deal. They got to make their decisions and then once we go to market, anything can happen at that point," he added.
Key to Arizona's success will be fortifying both the offensive and defensive lines. Head coach Jonathan Gannon highlighted this focus, stating, "It's very clear it starts with the offensive and defensive line." He further elaborated on the significance of these positions in football success: "If you're that premier, it can end with the offensive and defensive line, too. It's about blocking and tackling. Those two positions impact that before anybody does. It's not hard to see when you watch football that the team that controls the line of scrimmage has a really good chance to win the game."
In addition to addressing the line positions, the Cardinals have identified secondary priorities as interior offensive linemen, inside linebackers, and acquiring at least one wide receiver. The team's approach in free agency will also influence their strategy for the upcoming NFL draft. Ossenfort plans to leverage his abundant cap space to enhance Arizona's competitiveness. "And then that opens up possibilities in the draft to, 'Hey, whatever comes our way that's going to be in addition to our team,'" he explained.
The Cardinals face significant needs in pass rushers and reinforcing their defensive line. Ossenfort acknowledged the challenge of finding suitable players in these positions during the draft when selecting at their current spot. However, he remains optimistic about utilizing all available resources to gather comprehensive information. "I'm a big fan of having information," Ossenfort noted, emphasizing his commitment to exploring every avenue for data acquisition.
With free agency negotiations set to commence at noon ET on Monday, Ossenfort is ready to capitalize on the team's financial leverage. His strategic planning and real-time player assessments will inform Arizona's decisions as they aim to reconstruct a formidable roster.
Gannon's experience with players provides additional insight into potential acquisitions. "Anytime you have real-time experience with a player, you kind of know a little bit," he remarked. This knowledge will guide the Cardinals in making informed choices throughout the free agency period and beyond.
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