MadCards Way Too Early 2025 offseason plan

[MadCardDisease]

With the Cardinals 2024 season in the books it's time to start looking at the plans for what the Cardinals will look like next season. Here is my way too early offseason plan for the Cardinals 2025 offseason moves:

#1 Cardinals Staff:

Keep the current coaching staff intact.

#2 Current Cardinals roster and pending FAs:

* Extend Trey McBride. 4 year extension for $70m
* Re-sign OG Will Hernandez. 3 years for $26m
* Re-sign ILB Kyzir White. 3 years for $30m
* Re-sign Edge Brandon Browning. 1 year for $6.5m
* Re-sign DT LJ Collier. 2 years for $6m
* Re-sign WR Greg Dortch. 1 year for $1.5m

#3 Free Agency:

* Sign a solid Edge Rusher
* Sign a #2 WR who can stretch the field
* Sign a NT/DT
* Sign a LG to compete with young guards on roster
* Sign additional depth players who fit the culture

#4 NFL Draft:

* 1st round - Josh Simmons - OT - Ohio St. (Drafted to become the future starter at RT)
* Rest of rounds TBD at this time.

 

[Stout]

With the Cardinals 2024 season in the books it's time to start looking at the plans for what the Cardinals will look like next season. Here is my way too early offseason plan for the Cardinals 2025 offseason moves:

#1 Cardinals Staff:

Keep the current coaching staff intact.

#2 Current Cardinals roster and pending FAs:

* Extend Trey McBride. 4 year extension for $70m
* Re-sign OG Will Hernandez. 3 years for $26m
* Re-sign ILB Kyzir White. 3 years for $30m
* Re-sign Edge Brandon Browning. 1 year for $6.5m
* Re-sign DT LJ Collier. 2 years for $6m
* Re-sign WR Greg Dortch. 1 year for $1.5m

#3 Free Agency:

* Sign a solid Edge Rusher
* Sign a #2 WR who can stretch the field
* Sign a NT/DT
* Sign a LG to compete with young guards on roster
* Sign additional depth players who fit the culture

#4 NFL Draft:

* 1st round - Josh Simmons - OT - Ohio St. (Drafted to become the future starter at RT)
* Rest of rounds TBD at this time.

I like a lot about this plan. I think keeping Collier would be nice, and the extensions/re-signings make sense. I would not go OL in the 1st round of the draft and would not seek a DT through FA. There isn't anyone in FA that can have the kind of impact we need. Also, eschewing the DTs and Edges in a great draft for them would be Keimy.

 

[Krangodnzr]

I like a lot about this plan. I think keeping Collier would be nice, and the extensions/re-signings make sense. I would not go OL in the 1st round of the draft and would not seek a DT through FA. There isn't anyone in FA that can have the kind of impact we need. Also, eschewing the DTs and Edges in a great draft for them would be Keimy.

I'm with you. Play to a draft's strength. Draft multiple front seven players. The current front seven is filled with adequate to good role players and could be solid with one to two front line starters.

 

[ASUCHRIS]

I think you've done a good job identifying the holes, and that most would be in agreement here. My only quibble would be the cost on Hernandez and White, as I think they're overpaid by a bit. Then again, I liked your offseason plan last year far more than what Monti actually executed.

 

[DVontel]

Doesn’t look like Kyzir will be returning

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[DVontel]

Only way I would be kind of fine with OT in the first round:

1. OT is still a premium position. We also have to deal with the likes of Bosa, Verse, & the Seattle EDGEs. I could see SF drafting a EDGE in the 1st round as well. Two bookend Tackles would be nice.

2. Beachum is close to retirement & Jonah has 1 year left on his deal. Getting injured twice in the same season could raise future concerns.

3. This could ease the transition for the/a young QB after Kyler.

4. They go Front-7 heavy the next 2-3 rounds.

My first choice? Nah. However, I don’t think it would be the worst thing in the world.

 

[TheCardFan]

Doesn’t look like Kyzir will be returning

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We thought his extension should have happened in 2024 with Budda and Conner but must be far apart on $.

ILB szn!

 

[ASUCHRIS]

Only way I would be kind of fine with OT in the first round:

1. OT is still a premium position. We also have to deal with the likes of Bosa, Verse, & the Seattle EDGEs. I could see SF drafting a EDGE in the 1st round as well. Two bookend Tackles would be nice.

2. Beachum is close to retirement & Jonah has 1 year left on his deal. Getting injured twice in the same season could raise future concerns.

3. This could ease the transition for the/a young QB after Kyler.

4. They go Front-7 heavy the next 2-3 rounds.

My first choice? Nah. However, I don’t think it would be the worst thing in the world.

In a vacuum I can see this, but I don't think we can afford the luxury. We still have major holes at DT/rush end and I don't think we can/will fix all of that in FA. (Esp since this draft seems strong at DT/rush end)

I can see the argument for taking the 2nd or 3rd best OT vs. the 6th or 7th best D-lineman if there is a run on them as well.

 

[Cheesebeef]

Doesn’t look like Kyzir will be returning

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Cool.

 

[football karma]

We thought his extension should have happened in 2024 with Budda and Conner but must be far apart on $.

ILB szn!

Dre Greenlaw from SF would be my target

 

[DVontel]

In a vacuum I can see this, but I don't think we can afford the luxury. We still have major holes at DT/rush end and I don't think we can/will fix all of that in FA. (Esp since this draft seems strong at DT/rush end)

I can see the argument for taking the 2nd or 3rd best OT vs. the 6th or 7th best D-lineman if there is a run on them as well.

I’ve looked at some really recent mock drafts & it feels like some draft analysts aren’t as high on this DT class like I thought they would be. After Graham, the next DT I seen drafted were in the mid 20s. Caught me by surprise.

EDGE class is tricky because I expect Abdul & Jalon Walker to go before us. I like Pearce Jr, but I’m not sure if we after another thin-build again. Mykel is just way too raw. Scourton is probably too big.


If Jonah’s knee is a long-term issue, I think we gotta start acknowledging OT could be a realistic case for us.

 

[TheCardFan]

Dre Greenlaw from SF would be my target

Greenlaw should be fully healed by next year. He is a beast.

Devin Bush is interesting as well.

Look at his last 7 games in Cleveland - lots of tackles and stuffs.

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[MadCardDisease]

Only way I would be kind of fine with OT in the first round:

1. OT is still a premium position. We also have to deal with the likes of Bosa, Verse, & the Seattle EDGEs. I could see SF drafting a EDGE in the 1st round as well. Two bookend Tackles would be nice.

2. Beachum is close to retirement & Jonah has 1 year left on his deal. Getting injured twice in the same season could raise future concerns.

3. This could ease the transition for the/a young QB after Kyler.

4. They go Front-7 heavy the next 2-3 rounds.

My first choice? Nah. However, I don’t think it would be the worst thing in the world.

This was exactly what I was thinking. I'm fine with Jonah as the starting RT next year but don't think he is the answer long term. Beachum is old.

I'm looking to shore up the bookends on the OL for the next decade. PJJ and Simmons would give the Cardinals stability on the OL for years to come. That would be huge for Kyler, or if Kyler fails next season whoever the Cardinals bring in to play QB in 2026.

 

[MadCardDisease]

Doesn’t look like Kyzir will be returning

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Ah man I didn't see that. Still hope they can work something out. Love it duo of Wilson and White in the middle.

 

[MadCardDisease]

Doesn’t look like Kyzir will be returning

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It could be just part of the process to squeeze more money out of the Cardinals. Until White signs somewhere else there is still hope. I mean Rallis named his son after Kyzir. So we know that the coaches love him. It's all up to Monti at this point.

 

[Shane]

Ah man I didn't see that. Still hope they can work something out. Love it duo of Wilson and White in the middle.

He COULD Still be back. In the end money talks. I don’t put a lot of stock in tweets. Monti needs to pay him his worth.

 

[MadCardDisease]

If Jonah’s knee is a long-term issue, I think we gotta start acknowledging OT could be a realistic case for us.

Simmons is also coming off of a knee injury which is why he would fall to where the Cardinals are picking. It's a risk drafting an injured player but I think long term it is worth it.

 

[PDXChris]

With the Cardinals 2024 season in the books it's time to start looking at the plans for what the Cardinals will look like next season. Here is my way too early offseason plan for the Cardinals 2025 offseason moves:

#1 Cardinals Staff:

Keep the current coaching staff intact.

#2 Current Cardinals roster and pending FAs:

* Extend Trey McBride. 4 year extension for $70m
* Re-sign OG Will Hernandez. 3 years for $26m
* Re-sign ILB Kyzir White. 3 years for $30m
* Re-sign Edge Brandon Browning. 1 year for $6.5m
* Re-sign DT LJ Collier. 2 years for $6m
* Re-sign WR Greg Dortch. 1 year for $1.5m

#3 Free Agency:

* Sign a solid Edge Rusher
* Sign a #2 WR who can stretch the field
* Sign a NT/DT
* Sign a LG to compete with young guards on roster
* Sign additional depth players who fit the culture

#4 NFL Draft:

* 1st round - Josh Simmons - OT - Ohio St. (Drafted to become the future starter at RT)
* Rest of rounds TBD at this time.

The only thing I'm not a fan of is a three year deal to Hernandez. He's missed major time in two of the three years he's been here.

 

[MadCardDisease]

#2 Current Cardinals roster and pending FAs:

* Extend Trey McBride. 4 year extension for $70m
* Re-sign OG Will Hernandez. 3 years for $26m
* Re-sign ILB Kyzir White. 3 years for $30m
* Re-sign Edge Brandon Browning. 1 year for $6.5m
* Re-sign DT LJ Collier. 2 years for $6m
* Re-sign WR Greg Dortch. 1 year for $1.5m

So my thoughts on the McBride Contract extension with comparable:

*Trey Mcbride - $70m total using TJ Hockenson's contract as a guide, so 2025 cap hit would be around $9M

T.J. Hockenson Contract Details, Salary Cap Charges, Bonus Money, and Contract History | Over The Cap

T.J. Hockenson contract and salary cap details, including signing bonus, guaranteed salary, dead money, roster bonuses, and contract history

overthecap.com

 

[kerouac9]

#3 Free Agency:

* Sign a solid Edge Rusher
* Sign a #2 WR who can stretch the field
* Sign a NT/DT
* Sign a LG to compete with young guards on roster
* Sign additional depth players who fit the culture

Oh that's all? Here's a tool to get you started. Very little out there at Edge under 29 who played a majority of their team's snaps this year.

Can I interest you in a Brandin Cooks or Marquie Brown?

How many DTs do you expect to make the opening day roster? They kept six defensive linemen last year. I think we're all hoping four come back (Jones, Nichols, Collier, Stills). Plus Robinson is five. So one guy you expect to stick and another couple camp bodies/competition?

 

[Chris_Sanders]

Doesn’t look like Kyzir will be returning

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One of our 3 good defensive players. Fantastic

 

[MadCardDisease]

How many DTs do you expect to make the opening day roster? They kept six defensive linemen last year. I think we're all hoping four come back (Jones, Nichols, Collier, Stills). Plus Robinson is five. So one guy you expect to stick and another couple camp bodies/competition?

I'm looking for an upgrade over Roy Lopez and Khyris Tonga. There has to be a better option out there.

 

[Chris_Sanders]

I'm looking for an upgrade over Roy Lopez and Khyris Tonga. There has to be a better option out there.

You aren't wrong.

 

[ASUCHRIS]

I'm looking for an upgrade over Roy Lopez and Khyris Tonga. There has to be a better option out there.

Lopez is a fine backup - we need above average starters, not building the underbelly. We have plenty of underbelly.

 

[Stout]

This was exactly what I was thinking. I'm fine with Jonah as the starting RT next year but don't think he is the answer long term. Beachum is old.

I'm looking to shore up the bookends on the OL for the next decade. PJJ and Simmons would give the Cardinals stability on the OL for years to come. That would be huge for Kyler, or if Kyler fails next season whoever the Cardinals bring in to play QB in 2026.

If we don't drastically improve our front 7 on D, none of the above will matter. Give me high-impact players rather than depth.