I think what we are seeing is Monti following in the Belichick model of building a team.
#1: Quick turnover of the roster from the previous regime. By year two of Belichick taking over the Patriots, only 4 starters remained from the previous regime {C Damien Woody (Selected in the 1st round the season before Belichick arrived), MLB Tedy Bruschi, CB Ty Law and DE Willie McGinest}. Belichick wasted no time letting LB Andy Katzenmoyer (the other 1st rounder selected with Woody in 1999) go after just one season with Belichick and only two seasons on the Patriots. Belichick's first year was all about installing a culture and if you weren't all in you were out!
I think we are seeing a lot of this right now with the Cardinals. I expect the 2024 Cardinals starters to have only a handful of starters left from the previous regime (Kyler, Hump, McBride, Baker, Thompson, Collins). It also appears that Monti isn't afraid of letting former 1st round LB Simmons go if he doesn't live up to expectations.
#2: Belichick built the core of his team through the draft and seemingly every year he would hit at least one home run. In Belichick's first year he had 20 rookies on the roster at training camp. It all started by selecting future HOF Tom Brady in the 6th round of his first draft. Belichick followed that up with selecting HOF Richard Seymour in 2001.
Monti is clearly rebuilding the core through the draft. Too early to tell how well he will hit on his draft picks.
#3: Moving on from overpriced players. Belichick was shrewd when it came time for players who were FAs looking for a new big contract. Once your value no longer matched your salary it was time to say goodbye.
Zach Allen, DHop, Chosen Anderson, all were let go because their value no longer fit with the salary that they earned, wanted or got on the open market. Ertz and Conner will soon join them at the end of this season.
#4: Willing to spend when a FA fits. Gilmore comes to mind as does Randy Moss and Devin McCourty. However the one year that comes to mind where Belichick made a big splash was in 2001 which was year two for him in NE. With that FA class Belichick landed the amazing haul of: LB Mike Vrabel, CB Terrell Buckley, G Mike Compton, LB Bryan Cox, LB Roman Phifer, QB Damon Huard, LB Larry Izzo, WR David Patten, FB Marc Edwards, DE Anthony Pleasant, and RB Antowain Smith.
Much like when Belichick made Devin McCourty the highest paid safety in the league I could see Monti doing something similar with Baker here shortly. Also I expect 2024 to be a big year for the Cardinals signing FAs. From there on Monti will probably target 1 or 2 FAs a year that fit what he is looking for.
Belichick only had 5 wins in his first season but was able to completely rebuild his roster in 2 seasons and win the SB that second year. He landed a future HOF in both of his first two drafts. He usually hit at least one home run in each draft there on. He wasn't afraid to move on from key players. He shrewdly evolved his teams roster year after year.
Will Monti have the same success? The odds are against it. However I do see the similarities in his style to what Belichick did early on. Now we have to wait and see if all works out for him. As a Cardinals fan I'm hoping that it does.