Because of New York Giants defensive coordinator James Bettcher, there is familiarity for defensive players on the Arizona Cardinals. As such, it is a destination many Cardinals players have landed over the last two years.
Markus Golden is the latest. The free agent defensive end joins the Giants on a one-year contract after four years with the Cardinals, according to NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport.
Golden had 12.5 sacks in 2016, leading the Cardinals, when Bettcher was DC for the Cardinals, although things were tougher for him the last two years. He tore his ACL in 2017 and had only 2.5 sacks in 2018 coming back from the injury and transitioning from 3-4 outside linebacker to 4-3 defensive end.
Golden will return to a 3-4 defense and now is the fourth Cardinals defensive player in the last two years to join the Giants. Last offseason, outside linebacker Kareem Martin and defensive tackle Josh Mauro went to New York and this offseason safety Antoine Bethea signed with them as well.
With a one-year deal, Golden hopes to prove he still can do what he did pre-injury and, if he does, should cash in next offseason.
Listen to the latest from Cards Wire’s Jess Root on his podcast, Rise Up, See Red. Subscribe on Apple podcasts or Stitcher Radio.
