The Arizona Cardinals appear to be on track to lose free agent pass rusher Markus Golden. Without any reported negotiations about a possible return, Golden has interest from other teams.
The two teams considered in the mix are no surprise.
According to FanSided’s Matt Verderame, the New York Giants and Tampa Bay Buccaneers are possibilities for Golden.
Golden, of course, has coaching connections to both teams. New York’s defensive coordinator is James Bettcher, who was the DC for Arizona from 2015-2017. Golden was drafted in 2015 and led the Cardinals with 12.5 sacks in 2016.
The Bucs are coached by Bruce Arians, who was the Cardinals coach when Golden was drafted.
Both run a 3-4 defense, a scheme Golden would like to return to.
Golden only had 2.5 sacks last season and zero in 2017 but he suffered a torn ACL that season in the fourth game of the year after dealing with a foot injury in the offseason. He also dealt with the adjustment of playing defensive end in the Cardinals’ 4-3 scheme in 2018.
If Golden ends up on either team, he would be following a former teammate. Deone Bucannon is set to sign with Tampa, while safety Antoine Bethea just signed with New York.
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