MadCard's 2026 Cardinals Offseason Plan

[ASUCHRIS]

With Love, it absolutely is. Without him, it could be. Nailor isn't a difference maker regardless. At this point, you can argue Wilson has showed more ability to produce and stay healthy than MHJ has. I didn't think much of Petzing as an offensive mind, and Kyler was not a progression QB so I don't believe it's going to be an issue. I would have no issue paying Wilson and seeing what happens with MHJ. If the Cardinals ever run into the problem if having too many good players, then maybe it would be an issue.

My main concern was the total lack of production for Wilson with MHJ - that could be an offensive design issue, but while Wilson has been more productive, MHJ has shown a higher ceiling. Hopefully a new QB/system will benefit both of them?

 

[Chopper0080]

My main concern was the total lack of production for Wilson with MHJ - that could be an offensive design issue, but while Wilson has been more productive, MHJ has shown a higher ceiling. Hopefully a new QB/system will benefit both of them?

That should be the expectation. New system and more progression focused QB. Even if you gave Wilson a 4 year deal at 25 mil per year, it isn't cap prohibitive with the current state of the roster eve if you wanted to also eventually pay MHJ.

 

[Denny Green Fan]

That should be the expectation. New system and more progression focused QB. Even if you gave Wilson a 4 year deal at 25 mil per year, it isn't cap prohibitive with the current state of the roster eve if you wanted to also eventually pay MHJ.

Can they pay Willis and Paris too ?? This is one of the reasons I thought the Marvin harrisson to the browns rumor was true…can’t pay Trey and the two stud wr…assuming lafleur unlocks Marvin

 

[slanidrac16]

Nice on paper, but about 3-4 to many moves for this organization. We simply are not that aggressive.
We are not signing Willis.
Nailor is a speedster but could probably find a “ fast” guy in the draft. In fact an undrafted free agent.

 

[kerouac9]

while Wilson has been more productive, MHJ has shown a higher ceiling

Wait what?

 

[kerouac9]

Can they pay Willis and Paris too ??

Yes but Paris hasn’t shown the need to be a priority extension yet.

 

[kerouac9]

We are not signing Willis

I could see us doing it because we’re the Cards and Michael is gonna want something to market aside from Trey McBride.

It would be very stupid to spend $65 million on the QB room and end up with your starting QB being Malik Willis. But we’re the Cardinals—stupid is what we do.

 

[Cbus cardsfan]

Probably a lot of speculation but a person close to the Browns(local media guy who was at the combine) told me this was he heard the Cards plan was.
Obviously, move on from Kyler, done.

Trade Marv to the Browns for their 26 and a 3rd. I'm as big a Marv fan as anyone but if you can get that for his 1st two years of production, it would have to be considered.
In FA sign Willis and Alec Pierce. I can't see that but you never know.

Then in the draft, take Love at 3 and a RT at 26, Iheanchor??

I probably wouldn't hate it and at least they will have tried and have a plan.

Likely never going to happen but this person, other than wanting Marv on the Browns, has no reason to make things up to me.

I would assume a Mike Wilson extension would be in this too.

I was going to post this earlier but I was waiting to see if Pierce would actually hit the open market.

 

[slanidrac16]

I could see us doing it because we’re the Cards and Michael is gonna want something to market aside from Trey McBride.

It would be very stupid to spend $65 million on the QB room and end up with your starting QB being Malik Willis. But we’re the Cardinals—stupid is what we do.

One thing we cannot agree on. We have no idea what this s*** storm of an organization is going to do until they do it….whe never they figure it out.

 

[ASUCHRIS]

Wait what?

You disagree that Wilson has been more productive and that MHJ has shown a higher ceiling?

 

[kerouac9]

You disagree that Wilson has been more productive and that MHJ has shown a higher ceiling?

That MHJ has shown a higher ceiling.

We force-fed a bunch of TDs to MHJ his rookie season. I don’t think he’s a bust or anything, but he hasn’t shown the promise to be more than a complementary receiver in a good offense.

 

[ASUCHRIS]

That MHJ has shown a higher ceiling.

We force-fed a bunch of TDs to MHJ his rookie season. I don’t think he’s a bust or anything, but he hasn’t shown the promise to be more than a complementary receiver in a good offense.

Yeah, maybe it's the pedigree/measurables/draft position, but I still think MHJ can be a real #1 if he lives up to his potential. Not so sure about that with Wilson.

 

[Cbus cardsfan]

Yeah, maybe it's the pedigree/measurables/draft position, but I still think MHJ can be a real #1 if he lives up to his potential. Not so sure about that with Wilson.

Marvin is unquestionably more talented but the production wasn't there for where he was drafted. Was it a Kyler problem? He really didn't get much time with Brissett when they opened up the passing game.
I'd like to see him in the new offense but this is kind of a make or break year for him. I have high hopes because he was the best of all the OSU receivers coming into the league but it's been disappointing.

 

[Chopper0080]

What I will say is that I don't hate the general idea of MadCard's plan.

Putting talent around a league average QB is a nice plan. Supporting that with heavy investment in the offensive line is also good. Generating big plays with the running game is another great dimension. Smart teams might be able to do this with less investment cost but the plan is still a good one.

Getting the defense back to an average level is also good.

I don't agree with several of the individual moves but the idea is good.

 

[Chopper0080]

Can they pay Willis and Paris too ?? This is one of the reasons I thought the Marvin harrisson to the browns rumor was true…can’t pay Trey and the two stud wr…assuming lafleur unlocks Marvin

There are very few long term contracts on the books. The Cardinals have lots of opportunity to extend the few guys who have shown they are worth it.

 

[oaken1]

Why would you spend 8 mil per year of a WR who will likely have a minimal impact? Just in terms of touches he would be behind Love, McBride, MHJ, and Wilson. It's a lot of money to pay someone to do wind sprints.

my thought is, bring in a WR that has the possibility to make him self more than the fourth or fifth target. a guy who will earn his targets on the field and possibly push other guys down the priority list... I dont believe Nailor is that WR... but somebody is

 

[kerouac9]

my thought is, bring in a WR that has the possibility to make him self more than the fourth or fifth target. a guy who will earn his targets on the field and possibly push other guys down the priority list... I dont believe Nailor is that WR... but somebody is

There isn’t a FA WR who is going to edge out Trey, Wilson, and MHJ for targets.

The Rams paid Tutu Atwell $10 million for 15 targets and 192 yards.

 

[oaken1]

There are very few long term contracts on the books. The Cardinals have lots of opportunity to extend the few guys who have shown they are worth it.

right, and any plan to extend PJJ has his fifth year salary already factored in. so there would not be much impact to the salary cap for a couple years yet.

I think the reason its not a bigger rush is,..1, Paris is still progressing so from his perspective it would be nice to log an ALL-PRO level season before he negotiates an extension...because...2. Paris made comments last season about it only being a matter of time before the LT position got $40m a year and he expressed his plans to be the first...so his ask is gonna be huge in the upcoming negotiation...
now, I certainly dont see the Redbirds being the first team to give a LT 5/200m... but if he continues to improve I can see him getting 4/140m... which I still think is nutz...but with the cap already over 300m the kid is right, sooner or later the LT is going to command that type of contract...and I would love to see him practicing and playing with the mindset of earning that contract

 

[oaken1]

There isn’t a FA WR who is going to edge out Trey, Wilson, and MHJ for targets.

The Rams paid Tutu Atwell $10 million for 15 targets and 192 yards.

straight homerism right there.

Alec Pierce has 1A skills and slot speed...in the right offensive system with a QB not afraid to look deep he could certainly work his way up to being a favorite target...especially at 6'5
not likely to edge out Trey, when you pay an elite TE you expect him to get the targets, and any QB loves a reliable TE anyway... but MikeWilly and Marv aint been paid yet so there is no reason for the coaches to force the ball in their direction if another guy is getting open and proven he will catch what is thrown his way.

 

[kerouac9]

straight homerism right there.

Alec Pierce has 1A skills and slot speed...in the right offensive system with a QB not afraid to look deep he could certainly work his way up to being a favorite target...especially at 6'5
not likely to edge out Trey, when you pay an elite TE you expect him to get the targets, and any QB loves a reliable TE anyway... but MikeWilly and Marv aint been paid yet so there is no reason for the coaches to force the ball in their direction if another guy is getting open and proven he will catch what is thrown his way.

Alec Pierce had 1003 receiving yards last season, the highest single season total of his career.

20th among wideouts in 2025

Three fewer yards than Michael Wilson.

The Alec Pierce glaze is crazy. There’s zero chance he performs to the contract he’s about to get.

 

[Cbus cardsfan]

Alec Pierce had 1003 receiving yards last season, the highest single season total of his career.

20th among wideouts in 2025

Three fewer yards than Michael Wilson.

The Alec Pierce glaze is crazy. There’s zero chance he performs to the contract he’s about to get.

I agree. There's no way he's earned the contract he's going to get. Hes a 1 trick pony.
Much like the Christian Kirk contract when he hit FA.

 

[MadCardDisease]

Again, the argument is that Willis played in that system over the past two seasons and had a small sample size of success. I don't think Monti invests in Willis if MLF doesn't think he will work.

Willis makes sense in this case because Monti is very familiar since he was part of the crew that initially drafted him. While ML has knowledge of Willis from playing in his brother's system.

 

[Krangodnzr]

There isn’t a FA WR who is going to edge out Trey, Wilson, and MHJ for targets.

The Rams paid Tutu Atwell $10 million for 15 targets and 192 yards.

You never pay a football player named "Tutu" $10 million.

 

[Totally_Red]

Willis makes sense in this case because Monti is very familiar since he was part of the crew that initially drafted him. While ML has knowledge of Willis from playing in his brother's system.

I think if MLF and Nathaniel Hackett, who just spent a year with him in GB, want Willis then Monti should pursue him.

 

[cardpa]

I'm not sold on Willis. Yeah, he had a couple of nice games in GB, but any QB can have a couple of nice outings. I look more toward his body of work in Tennessee. He had a few nice games there too. Maybe he made progress in his time at GB but I'm not willing to pay him what the market is going to give him based on such a short run of good play.