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In a somewhat surprising move, the Arizona Cardinals have released veteran linebacker Jordan Hicks. Not surprising in the sense that they wanted to save some cash, as the team is currently pushed up against the salary cap. Rather that the Cardinals are opting to willingly part with one of their more productive players over the past three seasons. In a league where free agency can so often lead to fools gold, Hicks was anything but that for the Cardinals
When general manager Steve Keim targeted Hicks in the spring of 2019, expectations were relatively tempered. The former Texas standout had previously been a productive player for the Eagles before injuries derailed his final two seasons in Philadelphia. Which meant that adding Hicks in the form of a four-year, $36 million contract (that included $20 million guaranteed as well as a $12 million signing bonus) was a pretty big risk on several fronts for Arizona. At the time, there were more enticing options available on the market such as Baltimore’s C.J. Mosley and Tampa Bay’s Kwon Alexander. Not only was Keim banking on Hicks’ ability to stay out of the trainer’s room but also to seamlessly convert to Vance Joseph’s 3-4 scheme.
Fast-forward three seasons later and Hicks has started every possible game for the Redbirds, while calling the defense in the process. He was a two-time team captain under Kliff Kingsbury, leading a Cardinal defense that improved statistically every season. Hicks has also grossly outperformed his former free agent counterparts, as both Mosley and Alexander have been plagued by inconsistent play.
Yet despite all of this, Hicks currently finds himself on the unemployment circuit looking for work with the likes of Seattle’s Bobby Wagner and Green Bay’s De’Vondre Campbell. While still productive, the now 29-year-old proved too expensive for the Cardinals as his cap hit for 2021 was just under $10 million after already taking a pay cut last year. There is also the not so small elephant in the room of Keim openly drafting his replacement a season ago.
Even with the organization blatantly handing the job over to rookie first-round pick Zaven Collins, Hicks went about his business en route to staying put within the starting lineup this past year. From there he would put together one of his finest seasons to date, securing over 100 tackles and a career high four sacks for Arizona’s first playoff team in over a half decade. On top of all that, Hicks continued to serve as both a mentor and friend to fellow linebackers Collins and Isaiah Simmons.
Hicks remains beloved by coaches and teammates alike, and should find quick work from another linebacker needy team. In the meantime, the once free agent afterthought should be remembered as an integral part of Arizona’s rebuild as they climbed their way back to respectability. While Zaven Collins represents a potential upgrade in both speed and athleticism, the former Tulsa product has a long way to go to solidify himself around the league on the level to that of Hicks.
So as the Cardinals continue to stash away their precious free agent dollars, they can only be so lucky as to hit on another offseason addition with the production, class and character of a Jordan Hicks.
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