Although they were never able to place Isaiah Simmons, the Cardinals are no longer in charge of that.
On Thursday morning, Simmons was sold to the New York Giants in exchange for a seventh-round pick in 2024. This move highlights how Simmons’ standing has declined since being selected in the first round, eighth overall, in 2020. Although it is anticipated that Simmons will pass a physical, the agreement won’t be finalized until then.
Coach Jonathan Gannon said, “I don’t think it was an issue of what Isaiah did, he did all that we asked him to do. “Going forward, we believe that this is the greatest method for us to compete with other teams in football. We’ll make an effort to place the top men who can work and perform there do the best job.
Former General Manager Steve Keim selected Simmons, an athletic freak, to be a rangy inside linebacker in the style of former Pro Bowler Daryl Washington. He could also move around the field if necessary.
Although he and the Cardinals both thought it would be a strength, Simmons never quite adapted to the position and spent the majority of last season playing slot cornerback. He failed to cover tight ends. A game-changing interception against the Seahawks in 2020 and a forced fumble against the Raiders in 2022, both in overtime, showed flashes of Simmons’ potential, but he never displayed consistency.
Simmons was moved to safety by defensive coordinator Nick Rallis when the Cardinals changed coaches in the hopes that Simmons’ athleticism would provide the squad a rangy, powerful playmaker in the back. Jalen Thompson, one of the defense’s finest players, would have to play nickel more frequently than safety as a result.
Last week’s preseason loss to the Chiefs featured Simmons’ final opportunity for the Cardinals. In that game, Simmons overran a potential hit on a touchdown run by the Chiefs’ Shane Buechele while getting lost in coverage a couple of times.
GM Monti Ossenfort stated, “We have spoken to many organizations about various players. “The situation presented itself (Thursday) morning, and where we are as a team and where we are in camp, we felt like this is the right move for us to make.”
According to Ossenfort, the move was not inspired by the Chiefs game.
It’s a climax with all these choices, Ossenfort added. “We won’t pass judgment hastily on a single game, play, or anything like. It’s the conclusion of everything that has happened since we all arrived here, in the spring, at camp, and it’s not a reaction.
After the Cardinals decided not to exercise his fifth-year option for 2024 earlier this year, Simmons is expected to become a free agent following the 2023 campaign. For 2023, his compensation is $1.01 million.
In Week 2, the Giants come to the Cardinals’ home opener.
The Cardinals now have 12 picks in the upcoming draft, but Ossenfort insisted that wasn’t the goal of the deal and Gannon reiterated that the actions being made right now are focused on 2023.
We obviously want to win games, said Gannon. “And we’re making every effort to win games. I don’t handling the picks and other such items. We think we made the right choice, therefore we continue.
