Arizona Cardinals quarterback Josh Rosen has been put in as comfortable a situation as is possible in the offseason. After a 3-13 season in which he was thrust into action with an offensive line ravaged by injuries, two offensive coordinators in a questionable scheme and receivers that struggled to make plays, he now is the subject of trade and draft rumors.
The Cardinals are largely expected to trade Rosen, even though they have not even supposedly made him available for trade, and select Oklahoma QB Kyler Murray with the first overall pick in the draft.
Rosen has been silent about the situation and showed up for voluntary offseason workouts. He has handled it perfectly, and for the first time this offseason, he has commented about it.
“I definitely understand the situation,” he said for SI TV. “It’s annoying, but it is what it is. Football is a business and I definitely respect the higher-ups and their decisions.”
He said 2018 “went as poorly as it could possibly go,” but said he had “an unbelievable time” during his rookie campaign.
The three wins the Cardinals had “felt like we won the Super Bowl.” He called the feeling of winning “intoxicating.”
“That’s why I want nothing more than to be a part of a team next year and have the same opportunity to compete,” he said.
He wants to stay in Arizona but knows he can’t control that. Whatever happens, he won’t be fazed.
“Control what you can control and whatever decisions are made, it’s my duty to prove them right if they keep me and prove them wrong if they ship me off.”
He came into the league with a chip on his shoulder, being passed over nine times in the draft and having three other quarterbacks drafted before him.
Whether he stays or goes, it sounds like he will continue to carry an even larger chip this year.
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