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INGLEWOOD, CALIFORNIA – JANUARY 3: John Wolford # 9 of the Los Angeles Rams appears to fit during the fourth quarter when he is pressured by Markus Golden # 44 of the Arizona Cardinals at SoFi Stadium on January 3, 2021 in Inglewood, California becomes. (Photo by Sean M. Haffey / Getty Images)
Just minutes after the NFL’s legal manipulation phase began, the NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport reported that Golden and the Cardinals have reached a two-year deal that will raise the 30-year-old pass rusher $ 9 million. </ Golden was originally designed from Missouri by Arizona in 2015 and made its way back to the Cardinals in mid-2020. After a year and a half hiatus, the team earned Golden in trading with the New York Giants for sixth place in 2021. round selection in late October.
The earlier round of selection in the second round garnered three sacks, 21 tackles, a fiddly recovery and an interception during his nine games (eight starts) with the cards last season.
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Now with Golden back in the game, the team will likely focus on his teammate Haason Reddick. The duo turned out to be one of the league’s fiercest pass-rushing tandems in all of football last season. According to Pro Football Focus, Golden, 55, and Reddick, 55, were one of only three duos in the NFL to each hit 50+ quarterback hits in 2020.
Only teammate edge rushers, both in the 2020 saw 50 prints: 💥 Garrett (56) & Vernon (51) 💥 Reddick (55) & Golden (55) pic.twitter.com/pCHN5H89y1
The Cardinals decided to not have their franchise day last week to use at Reddick, although the former first rounder was fresh from the top 12.5 sacks of his career (fourth best in the NFL). Still, chances are Arizona would welcome the 26-year-old back at the right price. Given PFF’s prediction that Reddick will land a one-year deal valued at just $ 8 million, chances are a reunion is at least on the Cardinals’ radar. However, don’t be surprised if another team is willing to bet on the year-long miracle, potentially praising Reddick outside of the Arizona price range.
The re-signing of Golden adds to veterans of a defense already like Chandler Jones, JJ Watt and Isaiah Simmons. Add Reddick to that mix and the Cardinals have arguably one of the most feared and versatile front-seven in the NFL.
According to Mike Garafolo of the NFL Network, punter Andy Lee will return to the Cardinals on a one-year deal. The 38-year-old has spent the last four seasons in Arizona and will begin his 18th season in the NFL.
The South Carolina-born three-time first-team all-pro has averaged 46.5 yards each over the course of his career Reached punt. During his time with the cards, Lee averaged a healthy 47.1 meters per boat. Still, 2020 was a bad year for the veterinarian of many years. In 16 games last season, Lee averaged 44 punts at just 44.8 yards – his lowest average since 2006. In other news from special teams, the Cardinals wasted no time during the legal manipulation phase trying to get some back other high-end employees. Linebackers Kylie Fitts, Dennis Gardeck and Zeke Turner were each extended offerings to varying degrees. The latter two ranked 1st and 2nd in special teams for Arizona in 2020, while Gardeck emerged as a defensive presence collecting 7.0 sacks with just 94 defensive snaps.
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