Cardinals Ship Marquise Brown to Packers in Mock Trade
The Arizona Cardinals are clearly not afraid to part with players who do not fit the vision for 2023 and beyond.
That was made apparent by new general manager Monti Ossenfort after he took over for Steve Keim. Inheriting a mess of a 4-13 football team with an injured franchise quarterback, Ossenfort took the desert lemons and made lemonade by creating massive salary cap space and gaining draft capital for the future.
Names such as DeAndre Hopkins, Isaiah Simmons, Colt McCoy, Josh Jones, Byron Murphy and Zach Allen have all departed in some fashion since the offseason began. The Cardinals - clearly in the beginning of a rebuild - will listen to any and all offers presented, though it would take a lot for cornerstones such as Budda Baker to depart.
Wide receiver Marquise Brown doesn't exactly fall into that category, and heading into the last year of his contract, he's looking to make a splash this season and cash out in the spring as a free agent.
NFL Analysis Network recently proposed a trade where Brown was shipped to the Green Bay Packers for a second-round pick:
"In the not too distant past, the Cardinals’ aerial attack appeared to be on the come up, but with Kyler Murray’s future in Arizona in doubt and DeAndre Hopkins no longer in the desert, times have changed, meaning that Brown could be a potential trade piece. With the Packers needing a receiver, the land of cheeseheads could represent a potential destination," wrote Matthew Schmidt.
"Could a 2024 second-round draft pick interest Arizona in exchange for Brown’s services? Given how impressive Jordan Love has looked under center in his first two starts this season, you have to think Brown wouldn’t mind heading over to Green Bay to catch passes from the fourth-year quarterback."
Through two games, Brown has caught nine receptions for 82 yards and one touchdown.
Should the Cardinals take a second-round pick for Brown? Though he was initially acquired for a first, that was years ago from the prior regime. If Ossenfort and co. continue their trend of positioning themselves for the future, the Cardinals should absolutely take the second-round pick if Brown won't be paid by the organization after 2023.
Arizona will have a second-year Michael Wilson, Rondale Moore and a potential high draft pick (Marvin Harrison Jr. anyone?) aligned for 2024 and beyond.
