Cardinals' Isaiah Simmons Named in Trade Buzz
We're in peak offseason mode, and even for a team such as the Arizona Cardinals, there's been some heavy national interest on some of their star players.
Dilemmas between Budda Baker and DeAndre Hopkins have followed the team through the entire offseason with no resolution for either outcome. One - if not both - could end up on a new team by the start of the regular season.
However, there's been a new name thrown into the mix: Isaiah Simmons.
Simmons was drafted by the Cardinals with the No. 8 pick just three seasons ago and has yet to fulfill his potential as a defensive chess piece.
There's hope Arizona can utilize him under Jonathan Gannon's new staff, though the organization collectively decided to decline his fifth-year option, making him a free agent after this season.
"I had a really good talk with Isaiah, and obviously have talked with Isaiah a lot," Gannon said when asked about declining the fifth-year option.
"I am really comfortable where we are at with him, he is really comfortable with it, and the (contract) option, it really doesn't change (things). That's why I say I'm really comfortable where we are at and comfortable where he is at, because it really doesn't change what he is doing. He knows he has to play well - for us and for him."
Simmons is set to hit free agency after 2023, though he might find himself in new threads before then.
Bleacher Report's Joe Tansey says the Pittsburgh Steelers should make a phone call to Arizona.
"Simmons needs a big season to increase his free-agent value, but he may go unrecognized on an Arizona Cardinals team expected to contend for the league's worst record. Pittsburgh could take a flier on the 24-year-old linebacker in a trade that should not cost much because of his impending free agency," said Tansey.
"The Steelers could lose Alex Highsmith in free agency next offseason, so this would be a move to see what Simmons can do before signing him to a new contract, one that may be cheaper than a Highsmith extension.
"A potential Simmons deal would be a low-risk, high-reward move for the Steelers. If he does not star in 2023, they could let him walk and only burn a Day 3 draft pick in the process."
Simmons could certainly be a fit on a Steelers defense that will surround him with talent such as Cameron Heyward, T.J. Watt and Minkah Fitzpatrick among others. Perhaps a fresh start could work wonders for Simmons, who is still fairly young and offers plenty upside for the Steelers to utilize.
But would Arizona trade him?
It's important to remember just because the fifth-year option was declined does not mean a team can't workout a long-term deal with Simmons. Arizona's new regime seems to love Simmons, but they're also playing things smart by waiting to see what he looks like in their new defense before making any hefty financial commitments.
If a strong offer comes, Cardinals GM Monti Ossenfort might just accept it. However when you look at the reported asking price for Baker and Hopkins, it might take something strong to get Simmons out of the desert.
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