After a forgettable 2022 NFL season, the Arizona Cardinals went into the offseason with plans to shake things up in an effort to turn things around for the struggling franchise.
The team has parted ways with head coach Kliff Kingsbury, general manager Steve Kemm and has seen superstar defensive end JJ Watt retire after a short stint with the team.
Along with all these moves, the team is rumored to be looking for a trade partner for superstar wide receiver DeAndre Hopkins.
With so much going on over the past few months and with an unresolved Hopkins, new head coach Jonathan Gannon chose not to speak to the media during the 2023 NFL Draft, where the team made several questionable moves.
According to ESPN’s Josh Vanfuss, NFL head coaches not speaking to the media during the draft is something that doesn’t happen.
Interesting move by the Cardinals during the draft: Head coach Jonathan Gannon still hasn’t spoken to the media after three days.
First time this has happened, that I can remember, in my 12 drafts.
— Josh Weinfuss (@joshweinfuss) April 29, 2023
With the Cardinals in somewhat of a mess during this transition period, Gannon’s choice not to speak to the media may have been a shrewd move to avoid distractions on a busy day for the franchise.
The next order of business for the Cardinals is likely to be finding a new home for Hopkins and as much compensation as possible for the five-time All-Pro wide receiver.
Typically, a team would want to move such a big-name player before the draft, with draft compensation almost certainly included in any trade package.
It didn’t happen, and it will be interesting to see where Hopkins ultimately lands and what Arizona gets in exchange for the veteran wideout.
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Cardinals keep stocking up for the future