Even though the Arizona Cardinals are watching from afar in the off-season, there are a couple of former players and a head coach that will compete in Super Bowl LVIII.
Thank you for reading this post, don't forget to subscribe!The battle between the San Francisco 49ers and Kansas City Chiefs is a bit over a week away from determining who will be crowned the NFL champions in 2024.
In doing so, 49ers defensive coordinator Steve Wilks will come up with a playbook to stop Chiefs players like running back Keaontay Ingram and quarterback Blaine Gabbert on Feb. 11.
Here is an analysis of each ex Cardinal and how they fared in Arizona:
Steve Wilks
Cardinals head coach Steve Wilks looks on during the first quarter of the NFL game against the Rams at State Farm Stadium in Glendale on Sunday, December 23, 2018.
Cardinals Rams. © David Wallace/The Republic
Wilks replaced Bruce Arians as Arizona’s 41st head coach in franchise history before the 2018 season started. In his one and only campaign with the Cardinals, Wilks led them to their worst record since 2000, 3-13. Funnily enough, his first victory as a NFL head coach came against the 49ers in Week 5. However, Wilks was fired by the Cardinals on Dec. 18, 2018.
Keaontay Ingram
Arizona Cardinals running back Keaontay Ingram (30) carries the ball against the Kansas City Chiefs in the first half during a preseason game at State Farm Stadium in Glendale on Aug. 19, 2023. © Rob Schumacher/The Republic / USA TODAY NETWORK
After being a sixth-round pick (201st overall) by the Cardinals in the 2022 NFL Draft, Ingram spent two seasons in Arizona (2022-23). Manning the backup RB role behind James Conner, Ingram played 20 games, collected 134 yards from 62 rushing attempts and a touchdown. On Nov. 28, 2023, Ingram was released by the Cardinals before joining Kansas City’s practice squad two days later. He has yet to make his Chiefs debut since.
Blaine Gabbert
Dec 17, 2017; Landover, MD, USA; Arizona Cardinals quarterback Blaine Gabbert (7) passes the ball as Washington Redskins linebacker Josh Harvey-Clemons (40) chases in the third quarter at FedEx Field. The Redskins won 20-15. Mandatory Credit: Geoff Burke-USA TODAY Sports
The nine-year NFL veteran in Gabbert has made stops in multiple destinations such as the 49ers, Jacksonville Jaguars, Tennessee Titans and Tampa Bay Buccaneers. But in 2017, he signed a one-year contract with Arizona. Originally being listed as the third string quarterback coming in, Gabbert found himself starting five games after Carson Palmer and Drew Stanton both went down with injuries. Overall, the Cardinals were 2-3 with him under center, completing 95-of-171 passes for 1086 yards and six touchdowns. He left for Tennessee the following season. This year, Gabbert has played twice and thrown for 185 yards from 18-of-35 passing.
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Alec Cipollini covers the Arizona Coyotes and Cardinals for Burn City Sports. You can follow him on his X account @AlecCipollini
