We continue to look at different position groups for the Arizona Cardinals this offseason, looking back at the 2019 season and considering the questions they face.
Next up is the offensive line.
2019 review
The offensive line was a mixed bag if you look at the numbers.
The first thing that sticks out is how they were healthy. After years of playing as many as five different players at different positions because of injuries, four of the five starters started every game. Right tackle was the only position that dealt with injuries, as Marcus Gilbert was lost for the season before Week 1, Jordan Mill went down a couple of games later and Justin Murray, one of the biggest surprises of the season, missed a couple of games.
D.J. Humphries, Justin Pugh, A.Q. Shipley and J.R. Sweezy all played more than 95 percent of the team’s offensive snaps. Late in the season, Mason Cole was given some snaps to give him playing time. The four starters only missed a handful of snaps all season because of injury.
That said, the allowed 50 sacks. That stands out, although many sacks could be credited to quarterback Kyler Murray, who took many sacks he shouldn’t have after holding on to the ball too long. At the same time, Murray also evaded some pressure that perhaps would have resulted in sacks for other less mobile quarterbacks.
The line produced in the running game. The Cardinals were ninth in the league in rushing and second in yards per rush. The offensive line was a big part of that.
Overall, they were available, they were very good in the running game and not bad in pass protection despite the number of sacks allowed.
So now what?
The roster
This is what the roster looks like on the offensive line and the players’ contract status.
- C/G Mason Cole: signed through 2021
- C/G Lamont Gaillard: signed through 2022
- C/G Max Garcia: unrestricted free agent
- T Marcus Gilbert: unrestricted free agent
- T D.J. Humphries: unrestricted free agent
- T Joshua Miles: signed through 2022
- T Jordan Mills: unrestricted free agent
- T Justin Murray: exclusive rights free agent
- G Justin Pugh: signed through 2022
- C A.Q. Shipley: unrestricted free agent
- G J.R. Sweezy: signed through 2020
- T Brett Toth: signed through 2021
- T William Sweet: signed through 2021 (on IR all 2019)
Offseason question No. 1: What’s next for D.J. Humphries?
There are three main questions facing the Cardinals with the offseason.
The first is all about D.J. Humphries. The former first-round pick was healthy for an entire season for the first time in his career. He became a leader on the line. He allowed only two sacks all season and is a good run blocker. However, he was one of the most-penalized linemen in the league.
Reliable tackles are not cheap and he is still young. It would appear the Cardinals want to sign him long-term, but the question is how much will he command and how much do the Cardinals want him back?
On one hand, he still can improve, he proved his durability, missing only two snaps all season. A long-term deal would also look good for general manager Steve Keim, who has yet to ink a first-round pick to a second contract.
On the other hand, he was solid and healthy in a contract year. If the Cardinals are going to pay big tackle money, could they upgrade?
That is the question.
They could always use the franchise tag (approximately $16.1 million for 2020) or the transition tag (projected to be $14.4 million) and kick the can another year, but his price will only get higher if that is the case and he proves to be good again.
They could also go the route of the draft.
The Cardinals have tough questions to ask themselves in the next weeks before free agency begins.
Offseason question No. 2: What will the Cardinals do at RT?
The Cardinals technically don’t have any of their starting right tackles under contract for 2020. Justin Murray did an adequate job and will most certainly return, as he is an exclusive rights free agent and must sign if the Cardinals offer him a qualifying tender.
Marcus Gilbert and Jordan Mills both are coming off knee injuries. They are established starters in the league. Neither likely would cost much to bring back.
They could viably re-sign one of the two, have Murray as a backup plan and also draft someone to groom or even compete as a rookie.
But do they want to upgrade?
With tackles potentially available like Bryan Bulaga and Jack Conklin, the Cardinals could go out and get a certain upgrade.
Offseason question No. 3: Will they re-sign A.Q. Shipley?
Shipley is the unquestioned leader of the line. He came back from his 2018 ACL tear and was quite solid. He would like to play a couple of more years and the Cardinals seem to want him back, as they have publicly spoken of continuity all year.
However, the question could be how much he wants. Having played almost his entire career on league minimums and veteran minimums, he could cash in. Two years for $5-$6 million is probably the right price, but the Cardinals are the most equipped to let him move on.
Mason Cole is ready to be a starter and Lamont Gaillard could step into the super-sub role, or Max Garcia could be re-signed to do the same.
Offseason outlook
The tackle positions are priorities.
The most likely things to happen there is Humphries getting signed long-term and then a short-term solution at right tackle with perhaps a player to develop in the draft. Brett Toth is intriguing but isn’t anyone to count on yet.
Shipley probably re-signs, but he could easily go.
How the offseason unfolds for the offensive line will be interesting. With a young, promising quarterback in Kyler Murray, getting it right is paramount.
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