The Arizona Cardinals are expected to look at inside linebacker as a position to address with teams having to cut down their rosters to 53 players. Haason Reddick is not quite back from a knee injury that kept him out of the preseason. Behind him on the bench are young and unproven players with limited starting experience.
A player who might be the perfect addition to the defense is hitting the open market.
According to ESPN’s Adam Schefter, the Oakland Raiders are releasing linebacker Brandon Marshall.
Marshall played the last six seasons with the Denver Broncos before signing a contract in the offseason with the Raiders. While Cardinals defensive coordinator Vance Joseph was head coach in Denver, Marshall started 23 games.
Arizona had reported interest in Marshall in the offseason but he ultimately decided to join Oakland and now is on the open market again.
Marshall might want a sure starting job. He would likely begin Week 1 as the starter, as Reddick probably will not be healthy enough to play much, if at all.
Arizona has little salary cap room but Marshall would be a perfect fit for the defense.
He knows the defense and has been productive in it. He already has a relationship with Vance Joseph, too. If the Cardinals can make it happen, he would be perfect.
However, he is not subject to waivers, so he becomes an immediate free agent. The Cardinals could have competition.
He is a player to keep an eye on. Signing him would mean Jordan Hicks, Reddick and Marshall as the top linebackers, rather than adding Joe Walker to pair of Reddick and Hicks.
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