The Arizona Cardinals came to terms on key contract extensions with All-Pro strong safety Budda Baker and running back James Conner towards the end of the season, but there are still current Cardinals who need to be re-signed.
Thank you for reading this post, don't forget to subscribe!Tight end Trey McBride has officially arrived, earning his first Pro Bowl selection after a historic season. Arizona’s kicker situation is more a matter of who than when, having to decide between well-proven, 40-year-old veteran Matt Prater or his filler Chad Ryland, who had an exceptional year as the Cardinals’ next man up. McBride became eligible for an extension this offseason. It’s pretty much a guarantee that Arizona will do whatever it takes to keep their most dangerous offensive weapon, so that’s nothing to worry about. As far as Prater and Ryland — may the best kicker win.
With those pretty much taken care of, all eyes can revert to the center of the Cardinals’ defense and wait to see if linebacker Kyzir White will be offered an extension.
In a position room where no name is widely known, White made himself something to talk about this year.
The linebacker finished second on the team in total tackles and tackles for loss behind the Baker, compiling 137 tackles, nine of which were in the backfield. He iced the game with his only interception of the season in Arizona’s comeback victory over the San Francisco 49ers the first time the NFC West foes met, and jumped on a fumble in the 31-6 blowout over the New York Jets.
KYZIR WHITE INTERCEPTION AND ARIZONA IS GONNA WIN!!!#NFL #NFLTwitter pic.twitter.com/effw3H6mko
— Vendetta Media (@VendettaVSM) October 6, 2024
White joined the Cardinals in 2023, hanging around with head coach Jonathan Gannon after the pair lost the Super Bowl with the Philadelphia Eagles at State Farm Stadium. He was a pivotal part of Gannon’s defensive scheme back then, and he still is now.
The Cardinals need to make re-signing White a priority or they’ll need to make addressing the linebacker position in the draft or another free agent No. 1 on their checklist. This is not the year for linebacker to be the priority.
Arizona has yet to express any interest in White with an offer. In the interim, the linebacker took to Instagram to show his appreciation for The Valley fans.
If White doesn’t re-sign with the team, they’re in rough shape in terms of finding a replacement.
The linebacker market is pretty scarce in the NFL this season, as most teams have their thumpers locked up for the foreseen future. Kansas City Chiefs Nick Bolton, Washington Commanders Bobby Wagner and 49ers Dre Greenlaw are some of the more notable available LBs hitting free agency; however, it’s hard to imagine any of them leaving their current teams without an offer or find any interest in coming to Arizona. The college scene is even worst, as some draft experts don’t even believe a linebacker will be taken in the first round.
Where both are strong is on both sides of the line — exactly what the Cardinals need.
This draft is deep when it comes to big men. With the 16th pick in the NFL Draft, the Cardinals can patiently wait for an offensive or defensive lineman to land in Arizona without worry. The NFL currently has a number of impactful edge rushers testing the market including Josh Sweat, who spent a season in Philadelphia with Gannon and White.
The market is set up to roll the dice on your line and bring someone in. The Cardinals defense has already found its line backer and should look no further.
Re-sign Kyzir White or risk ending up with nothing at all.
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Reporter Jordyn Bennett covers the Arizona Cardinals, Arizona State, Phoenix area sports and sports related topics. You can follow him on his X account, @j_bennett_live
