MadCard's 2026 Cardinals Offseason Plan

[Denny Green Fan]

If they improve the OLine in FA why not pick up arguably the best RB in the draft which is Jeremiah Love of ND. Keep Conner as a mentor to him for 1 year. I keep going back to the time they passed on Adrian Peterson for Levi Brown

The o line tackles are meh….

 

[Denny Green Fan]

The o line tackles are meh….

In free agency

 

[ASUCHRIS]

Not fast enough. Just jams up midfield more.

Seems like credible deep threat has been a need since John Brown left.

 

[slanidrac16]

If they improve the OLine in FA why not pick up arguably the best RB in the draft which is Jeremiah Love of ND. Keep Conner as a mentor to him for 1 year. I keep going back to the time they passed on Adrian Peterson for Levi Brown

If we draft Love, he shouldn’t need a mentor.

 

[Cardsfanstl]

If we draft Love, he shouldn’t need a mentor.

I am just saying somebody to show him how to be a pro. He should know that but how many times have we seen rookies not putting in the work to be a pro.

 

[DVontel]

Sarratt cannot separate from CBs at the college level, so I definitely don’t expect that happen at the NFL level. Him & MHJ on the same team is a big no-no. If we go after an Indiana WR, it should be Omar Cooper.

 

[NWMike]

Congrats, you now have the worst DL room in the NFL. Like 2023 level bad.

This. With Campbell and Collier FAs and Nolan maybe out for the year who is playing dline? There is no way you can cut Tomlinson and Nichols without some sort of replacement and right now anything else would be a downgrade.

I like the oline fixes but ride with Brissett and find a young qb in this years draft or next. We ain’t fixing this is 1 year.

 

[Delmar M Lewis]

If they improve the OLine in FA why not pick up arguably the best RB in the draft which is Jeremiah Love of ND. Keep Conner as a mentor to him for 1 year. I keep going back to the time they passed on Adrian Peterson for Levi Brown

I dont know if Connor can back he had a pretty severe injury from what Ive read

 

[Chopper0080]

Just because coming up with offseason plans is fairly thankless but still fun...here is the framework of mine.

Cutting
James Conner
ADG
Bilal Nichols
Baron Browning
SMB

Free Agents
QB - Kirk Cousins (lots of experience in the system)
RB - Tyler Allgeier (he fits the stretch zone scheme)
LG - Zion Johnson (probably most expensive player on the list outside of Kirk)
RG - Austin Corbett
RT - Jack Conklin
DT - John Franklin Myers
ILB - You want a vet like Quay Walker or Eric Wilson or Quincy Williams...if you could get Demario Davis or Bobby Wagner for 6 mil, that would be nice.

Draft
1 - David Bailey or Francis Mauigoa
2 - Max Iheanachor or Lee Hunter
3 - Domonique Orange or Derrick Moore (if Jake Golday is available I would consider him)
4 - Sam Hecht - Stretch zone C (guys like Singleton, Kaytron, Bud Clark, Kyle Louis are fits as well)
5 - Cade Klubnik (this could be too low but who knows at this point)

Pretty simple theme. Get a QB who can execute the offense, upgrade the offensive line, upgrade the defensive front. Sprinkle in ILBs, RBs, Ss all at a lower cost.

 

[MadCardDisease]

Updated plan based off news of Franchise tags, Cut players and Kyler being Cut.

Roster reset by purging previous regimes players:

#1: Cut Kyler Murray - Kyler's contract and lack of consistency ended up torpedoing any chance of a trade. So the Cardinals plan on cutting him before his 2027 roster bonus triggers. Without a trade partner this was the only other option as the Cardinals had to move off of the failed Kyler experiment. The Cardinals designate Kyler a post June 1st cut and save $5.1M on the 2026 cap

Cap Savings $5.1M


#2: Cut James Conner - Conner has been the heart of this offense the last couple of seasons but he is going to be 31 this year. Now is the perfect time to move off of an aging RB and start fresh.

Cap Savings $7.6M


#3) Cut Dalvin Tomlinson - Designate as Post June 1st cut. I had very high hopes for Tomlinson when the Cardinals signed him. However he was very underwhelming for most of the season. I think there are better places to spend that money.

Cap Savings $14.5M


#4) Cut SMB - The young guys showed enough for me to be comfortable moving off the Veteran SMB.

Cap savings $7.3M


#5) Cut Bilal Nichols - Nichols provided zero return on investment and moving off of his contract is an easy choice.

Cap Savings $5.8M


#6) Cut Evan Brown - Better options at LG

Cap Savings $4.9M


TOTAL CAP SAVINGS: $45.2M



Free Agency Targets:


After the cuts listed above the Cardinals Effective cap space would be:

Cardinals 2026 Effective Cap Space: ~$64.4M


#1) QB Malik Willis, Packers (2 years, $54M)
Willis is brought in to start and give MO a fighting chance at keeping his job. Willis is young, mobile with decent size and a strong arm.

#2) RG Alijah Vera-Tucker, Jets (3 years, $42M)
Again ML uses his old Jets connection to improve the Interior OL for the Cardinals.

#3) RT Braden Smith, Colts, (3 years, $40M)
The Cardinals add a strong RT who can help establish a solid running game under ML.

#4) IDL John Franklin-Myers, Broncos (3 years, $30M)
Can generate interior pressure from the inside.

#5) WR Jalen Nailor, Vikings (2 years, $16M)
The missing speedster who can stretch the field.

#5) IDL DJ Reader, Lions (2 years, $12M)
Big veteran run stuffer at a decent price.

#6) OT DJ Humphries, Rams (1 year, $3M)
Knee Deep spent a year in ML's offense and would be a solid backup as a swing tackle.

Early Draft thoughts:

Pick #3: RB Jeremiyah Love, Notre Dame
The Jets steal David Bailey from the Cardinals with the #2 overall pick. So the Cardinals take the next best player on their board in Love and land an elite dynamic playmaker on offense.

Pick #34: OT Max Iheanachor, ASU
Athletic raw and physical. Those of us here in the Valley of the Sun got to watch big Max improve every season. He won't start right away but ML can groom him to become the eventual RT in a couple of years. They may even try him at guard if the need comes up.

Pick #65: OG Keylan Rutledge, GTech
Cardinals continue to address their poor OL play from last season. Big Nasty IOL who plays to the whistle and then some. Will compete for the LG spot.

Pick #104: QB Drew Allar, Penn St
A mid round QB for ML to groom. Prototypical size and can make all the throws. Questions remain about him seeing the field and reading a defense.

Best available depth pieces with the rest of the picks.

 

[Denny Green Fan]

Updated plan based off news of Franchise tags, Cut players and Kyler being Cut.

Roster reset by purging previous regimes players:

#1: Cut Kyler Murray - Kyler's contract and lack of consistency ended up torpedoing any chance of a trade. So the Cardinals plan on cutting him before his 2027 roster bonus triggers. Without a trade partner this was the only other option as the Cardinals had to move off of the failed Kyler experiment. The Cardinals designate Kyler a post June 1st cut and save $5.1M on the 2026 cap

Cap Savings $5.1M


#2: Cut James Conner - Conner has been the heart of this offense the last couple of seasons but he is going to be 31 this year. Now is the perfect time to move off of an aging RB and start fresh.

Cap Savings $7.6M


#3) Cut Dalvin Tomlinson - Designate as Post June 1st cut. I had very high hopes for Tomlinson when the Cardinals signed him. However he was very underwhelming for most of the season. I think there are better places to spend that money.

Cap Savings $14.5M


#4) Cut SMB - The young guys showed enough for me to be comfortable moving off the Veteran SMB.

Cap savings $7.3M


#5) Cut Bilal Nichols - Nichols provided zero return on investment and moving off of his contract is an easy choice.

Cap Savings $5.8M


#6) Cut Evan Brown - Better options at LG

Cap Savings $4.9M


TOTAL CAP SAVINGS: $45.2M



Free Agency Targets:


After the cuts listed above the Cardinals Effective cap space would be:

Cardinals 2026 Effective Cap Space: ~$64.4M


#1) QB Malik Willis, Packers (2 years, $54M)
Willis is brought in to start and give MO a fighting chance at keeping his job. Willis is young, mobile with decent size and a strong arm.

#2) RG Alijah Vera-Tucker, Jets (3 years, $42M)
Again ML uses his old Jets connection to improve the Interior OL for the Cardinals.

#3) RT Braden Smith, Colts, (3 years, $40M)
The Cardinals add a strong RT who can help establish a solid running game under ML.

#4) IDL John Franklin-Myers, Broncos (3 years, $30M)
Can generate interior pressure from the inside.

#5) WR Jalen Nailor, Vikings (2 years, $16M)
The missing speedster who can stretch the field.

#5) IDL DJ Reader, Lions (2 years, $12M)
Big veteran run stuffer at a decent price.

#6) OT DJ Humphries, Rams (1 year, $3M)
Knee Deep spent a year in ML's offense and would be a solid backup as a swing tackle.

Early Draft thoughts:

Pick #3: RB Jeremiyah Love, Notre Dame
The Jets steal David Bailey from the Cardinals with the #2 overall pick. So the Cardinals take the next best player on their board in Love and land an elite dynamic playmaker on offense.

Pick #34: OT Max Iheanachor, ASU
Athletic raw and physical. Those of us here in the Valley of the Sun got to watch big Max improve every season. He won't start right away but ML can groom him to become the eventual RT in a couple of years. They may even try him at guard if the need comes up.

Pick #65: OG Keylan Rutledge, GTech
Cardinals continue to address their poor OL play from last season. Big Nasty IOL who plays to the whistle and then some. Will compete for the LG spot.

Pick #104: QB Drew Allar, Penn St
A mid round QB for ML to groom. Prototypical size and can make all the throws. Questions remain about him seeing the field and reading a defense.

Best available depth pieces with the rest of the picks.

I will take this and be happy if we get the 2 olineman in free agency and at 34

 

[ASUCHRIS]

Updated plan based off news of Franchise tags, Cut players and Kyler being Cut.

Roster reset by purging previous regimes players:

#1: Cut Kyler Murray - Kyler's contract and lack of consistency ended up torpedoing any chance of a trade. So the Cardinals plan on cutting him before his 2027 roster bonus triggers. Without a trade partner this was the only other option as the Cardinals had to move off of the failed Kyler experiment. The Cardinals designate Kyler a post June 1st cut and save $5.1M on the 2026 cap

Cap Savings $5.1M


#2: Cut James Conner - Conner has been the heart of this offense the last couple of seasons but he is going to be 31 this year. Now is the perfect time to move off of an aging RB and start fresh.

Cap Savings $7.6M


#3) Cut Dalvin Tomlinson - Designate as Post June 1st cut. I had very high hopes for Tomlinson when the Cardinals signed him. However he was very underwhelming for most of the season. I think there are better places to spend that money.

Cap Savings $14.5M


#4) Cut SMB - The young guys showed enough for me to be comfortable moving off the Veteran SMB.

Cap savings $7.3M


#5) Cut Bilal Nichols - Nichols provided zero return on investment and moving off of his contract is an easy choice.

Cap Savings $5.8M


#6) Cut Evan Brown - Better options at LG

Cap Savings $4.9M


TOTAL CAP SAVINGS: $45.2M



Free Agency Targets:


After the cuts listed above the Cardinals Effective cap space would be:

Cardinals 2026 Effective Cap Space: ~$64.4M


#1) QB Malik Willis, Packers (2 years, $54M)
Willis is brought in to start and give MO a fighting chance at keeping his job. Willis is young, mobile with decent size and a strong arm.

#2) RG Alijah Vera-Tucker, Jets (3 years, $42M)
Again ML uses his old Jets connection to improve the Interior OL for the Cardinals.

#3) RT Braden Smith, Colts, (3 years, $40M)
The Cardinals add a strong RT who can help establish a solid running game under ML.

#4) IDL John Franklin-Myers, Broncos (3 years, $30M)
Can generate interior pressure from the inside.

#5) WR Jalen Nailor, Vikings (2 years, $16M)
The missing speedster who can stretch the field.

#5) IDL DJ Reader, Lions (2 years, $12M)
Big veteran run stuffer at a decent price.

#6) OT DJ Humphries, Rams (1 year, $3M)
Knee Deep spent a year in ML's offense and would be a solid backup as a swing tackle.

Early Draft thoughts:

Pick #3: RB Jeremiyah Love, Notre Dame
The Jets steal David Bailey from the Cardinals with the #2 overall pick. So the Cardinals take the next best player on their board in Love and land an elite dynamic playmaker on offense.

Pick #34: OT Max Iheanachor, ASU
Athletic raw and physical. Those of us here in the Valley of the Sun got to watch big Max improve every season. He won't start right away but ML can groom him to become the eventual RT in a couple of years. They may even try him at guard if the need comes up.

Pick #65: OG Keylan Rutledge, GTech
Cardinals continue to address their poor OL play from last season. Big Nasty IOL who plays to the whistle and then some. Will compete for the LG spot.

Pick #104: QB Drew Allar, Penn St
A mid round QB for ML to groom. Prototypical size and can make all the throws. Questions remain about him seeing the field and reading a defense.

Best available depth pieces with the rest of the picks.

What evidence exists to show that Malik Willis is any better than Brissett?

 

[MadCardDisease]

What evidence exists to show that Malik Willis is any better than Brissett?

None. Purely based on upside.

 

[ASUCHRIS]

None. Purely based on upside.

I just don't know what people are expecting to happen this year...everything about the situation and setup screams total rebuild, yet we're scheming to spend money on a total unknown at QB, when we have huge needs everywhere?

Even best case scenario, with either QB you're likely looking at a 6 win ceiling. What will that do beyond scuttle any chance we have at a top qb in the next draft?

 

[kerouac9]

What will that do beyond scuttle any chance we have at a top qb in the next draft?

This is poverty fan base thinking. We can’t do this every other year

 

[Chopper0080]

I just don't know what people are expecting to happen this year...everything about the situation and setup screams total rebuild, yet we're scheming to spend money on a total unknown at QB, when we have huge needs everywhere?

Even best case scenario, with either QB you're likely looking at a 6 win ceiling. What will that do beyond scuttle any chance we have at a top qb in the next draft?

This is what happens when you have a GM who is desperate to keep his job with a brand new HC. Where patience normally comes with a new HC, the Cardinals have urgency.

FA is going to tell a lot about the approach this off season. Whether or not they sign/pursue Willis will be the first sign.

 

[Krangodnzr]

Updated plan based off news of Franchise tags, Cut players and Kyler being Cut.

Roster reset by purging previous regimes players:

#1: Cut Kyler Murray - Kyler's contract and lack of consistency ended up torpedoing any chance of a trade. So the Cardinals plan on cutting him before his 2027 roster bonus triggers. Without a trade partner this was the only other option as the Cardinals had to move off of the failed Kyler experiment. The Cardinals designate Kyler a post June 1st cut and save $5.1M on the 2026 cap

Cap Savings $5.1M


#2: Cut James Conner - Conner has been the heart of this offense the last couple of seasons but he is going to be 31 this year. Now is the perfect time to move off of an aging RB and start fresh.

Cap Savings $7.6M


#3) Cut Dalvin Tomlinson - Designate as Post June 1st cut. I had very high hopes for Tomlinson when the Cardinals signed him. However he was very underwhelming for most of the season. I think there are better places to spend that money.

Cap Savings $14.5M


#4) Cut SMB - The young guys showed enough for me to be comfortable moving off the Veteran SMB.

Cap savings $7.3M


#5) Cut Bilal Nichols - Nichols provided zero return on investment and moving off of his contract is an easy choice.

Cap Savings $5.8M


#6) Cut Evan Brown - Better options at LG

Cap Savings $4.9M


TOTAL CAP SAVINGS: $45.2M



Free Agency Targets:


After the cuts listed above the Cardinals Effective cap space would be:

Cardinals 2026 Effective Cap Space: ~$64.4M


#1) QB Malik Willis, Packers (2 years, $54M)
Willis is brought in to start and give MO a fighting chance at keeping his job. Willis is young, mobile with decent size and a strong arm.

#2) RG Alijah Vera-Tucker, Jets (3 years, $42M)
Again ML uses his old Jets connection to improve the Interior OL for the Cardinals.

#3) RT Braden Smith, Colts, (3 years, $40M)
The Cardinals add a strong RT who can help establish a solid running game under ML.

#4) IDL John Franklin-Myers, Broncos (3 years, $30M)
Can generate interior pressure from the inside.

#5) WR Jalen Nailor, Vikings (2 years, $16M)
The missing speedster who can stretch the field.

#5) IDL DJ Reader, Lions (2 years, $12M)
Big veteran run stuffer at a decent price.

#6) OT DJ Humphries, Rams (1 year, $3M)
Knee Deep spent a year in ML's offense and would be a solid backup as a swing tackle.

Early Draft thoughts:

Pick #3: RB Jeremiyah Love, Notre Dame
The Jets steal David Bailey from the Cardinals with the #2 overall pick. So the Cardinals take the next best player on their board in Love and land an elite dynamic playmaker on offense.

Pick #34: OT Max Iheanachor, ASU
Athletic raw and physical. Those of us here in the Valley of the Sun got to watch big Max improve every season. He won't start right away but ML can groom him to become the eventual RT in a couple of years. They may even try him at guard if the need comes up.

Pick #65: OG Keylan Rutledge, GTech
Cardinals continue to address their poor OL play from last season. Big Nasty IOL who plays to the whistle and then some. Will compete for the LG spot.

Pick #104: QB Drew Allar, Penn St
A mid round QB for ML to groom. Prototypical size and can make all the throws. Questions remain about him seeing the field and reading a defense.

Best available depth pieces with the rest of the picks.

Nailor? I hardly know her!

 

[Chopper0080]

This is poverty fan base thinking. We can’t do this every other year

Agreed. Either Willis is good and the team ends up being better than expected, or Willis is bad and Monti is fired. I think the later is more likely, but both are fine IMO. This team doesn't have enough long term contracts that a 3 year deal for Willis will matter much.

 

[Chopper0080]

Updated plan based off news of Franchise tags, Cut players and Kyler being Cut.

Roster reset by purging previous regimes players:

#1: Cut Kyler Murray - Kyler's contract and lack of consistency ended up torpedoing any chance of a trade. So the Cardinals plan on cutting him before his 2027 roster bonus triggers. Without a trade partner this was the only other option as the Cardinals had to move off of the failed Kyler experiment. The Cardinals designate Kyler a post June 1st cut and save $5.1M on the 2026 cap

Cap Savings $5.1M


#2: Cut James Conner - Conner has been the heart of this offense the last couple of seasons but he is going to be 31 this year. Now is the perfect time to move off of an aging RB and start fresh.

Cap Savings $7.6M


#3) Cut Dalvin Tomlinson - Designate as Post June 1st cut. I had very high hopes for Tomlinson when the Cardinals signed him. However he was very underwhelming for most of the season. I think there are better places to spend that money.

Cap Savings $14.5M


#4) Cut SMB - The young guys showed enough for me to be comfortable moving off the Veteran SMB.

Cap savings $7.3M


#5) Cut Bilal Nichols - Nichols provided zero return on investment and moving off of his contract is an easy choice.

Cap Savings $5.8M


#6) Cut Evan Brown - Better options at LG

Cap Savings $4.9M


TOTAL CAP SAVINGS: $45.2M



Free Agency Targets:


After the cuts listed above the Cardinals Effective cap space would be:

Cardinals 2026 Effective Cap Space: ~$64.4M


#1) QB Malik Willis, Packers (2 years, $54M)
Willis is brought in to start and give MO a fighting chance at keeping his job. Willis is young, mobile with decent size and a strong arm.

#2) RG Alijah Vera-Tucker, Jets (3 years, $42M)
Again ML uses his old Jets connection to improve the Interior OL for the Cardinals.

#3) RT Braden Smith, Colts, (3 years, $40M)
The Cardinals add a strong RT who can help establish a solid running game under ML.

#4) IDL John Franklin-Myers, Broncos (3 years, $30M)
Can generate interior pressure from the inside.

#5) WR Jalen Nailor, Vikings (2 years, $16M)
The missing speedster who can stretch the field.

#5) IDL DJ Reader, Lions (2 years, $12M)
Big veteran run stuffer at a decent price.

#6) OT DJ Humphries, Rams (1 year, $3M)
Knee Deep spent a year in ML's offense and would be a solid backup as a swing tackle.

Early Draft thoughts:

Pick #3: RB Jeremiyah Love, Notre Dame
The Jets steal David Bailey from the Cardinals with the #2 overall pick. So the Cardinals take the next best player on their board in Love and land an elite dynamic playmaker on offense.

Pick #34: OT Max Iheanachor, ASU
Athletic raw and physical. Those of us here in the Valley of the Sun got to watch big Max improve every season. He won't start right away but ML can groom him to become the eventual RT in a couple of years. They may even try him at guard if the need comes up.

Pick #65: OG Keylan Rutledge, GTech
Cardinals continue to address their poor OL play from last season. Big Nasty IOL who plays to the whistle and then some. Will compete for the LG spot.

Pick #104: QB Drew Allar, Penn St
A mid round QB for ML to groom. Prototypical size and can make all the throws. Questions remain about him seeing the field and reading a defense.

Best available depth pieces with the rest of the picks.

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.

 

[ASUCHRIS]

Agreed. Either Willis is good and the team ends up being better than expected, or Willis is bad and Monti is fired. I think the later is more likely, but both are fine IMO. This team doesn't have enough long term contracts that a 3 year deal for Willis will matter much.

These things don't happen in a vacuum though - if we spend that money on Willis, that's money we can't spend on FA or player retention.

Why spend on Willis when you have a guy in Brissett who is arguably more qualified and won't cost a ton? Invest in the all the positions around QB to build a good team around a QB vs. flushing 30M down the toilet on a never was.

 

[ASUCHRIS]

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.

Would like some evidence of Wilson being effective alongside MHJ before I'd invest big money. Is this skill position group good enough?

 

[Chopper0080]

These things don't happen in a vacuum though - if we spend that money on Willis, that's money we can't spend on FA or player retention.

Why spend on Willis when you have a guy in Brissett who is arguably more qualified and won't cost a ton? Invest in the all the positions around QB to build a good team around a QB vs. flushing 30M down the toilet on a never was.

Brissett's fit into MLF's system is as projected as Willis's IMO. I don't know enough to tell you the difference. If they don't see any issue with Brissett being the QB, i don't think they go after Willis for the reasons you state.

I just have to trust that MLF knows if there is a difference in how Brissett can execute it vs Willis.

 

[ASUCHRIS]

If system fit is a concern, I'd rather pay Jimmy G 15m than Willis at 30M. I just don't get the Willis thing other than a sign of desperation.

 

[Chopper0080]

Would like some evidence of Wilson being effective alongside MHJ before I'd invest big money. Is this skill position group good enough?

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.

 

[Chopper0080]

If system fit is a concern, I'd rather pay Jimmy G 15m than Willis at 30M. I just don't get the Willis thing other than a sign of desperation.

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.