3 Cardinals With Something to Prove in 2023

The Arizona Cardinals are out to prove everybody wrong - but these three players specifically have a chip on their shoulder.

The Arizona Cardinals are now done with minicamp, and we're just over a month away from training camp starting at State Farm Stadium.

The foundation of the 2023 season after a long offseason that's seen nothing but change for Arizona is mostly laid, though training camp will give new head coach Jonathan Gannon the opportunity to continue piecing together building blocks for his first season in charge.

Arizona's roster is currently under a rebuild, and there's been a clear message from general manager Monti Ossenfort: If you can't show you'll be valuable for the future, you'll see the door.

Every player takes the field looking to prove themselves, yet these three Cardinals have a little extra something to prove in 2023:

Isaiah Simmons

Simmons arguably has the most at stake heading into this season. 

The Cardinals didn't pick up his fifth-year option, effectively making him a free agent after the 2023 season. 

After playing a variety of different positions, Simmons is finally settling into a permanent role with the defensive secondary. He's been practicing with safeties, though it's unknown how he'll fit with Arizona's strong starting duo of Jalen Thompson and Budda Baker. 

Will the Cardinals utilize all three on the field at the same time? Will Simmons fill Byron Murphy's role as a slot/nickelback? That's where Simmons played most of his snaps last season.

Simmons' unique blend of size, length and athleticism has yet to be fully unlocked. Time is ticking for his potential to become more than just that - potential.

Will Gannon and defensive coordinator Nick Rallis be able to get the most out of him? For everyone's sake, they sure hope so. 

Marco Wilson

We don't have to travel far on the defensive side of the ball to find our next candidate in cornerback Marco Wilson. 

Wilson has always played as a CB2 behind someone in Arizona's defense, though 2023 will be his first opportunity to be a legitimate CB1 for the Cardinals after Murphy departed for free agency.

Unlike Simmons - we've seen some really good things from Wilson in his natural position. Yet we've also seen some wildly inconsistent play from the young corner. 

Wilson has flashed the instincts he showed at Florida before the memorable cleat-yeet against LSU, but he's also been found consistently behind in coverage, particularly in plays deep down the field. 

2023 will be Wilson's opportunity to prove he's refined his craft enough to be the building block in Arizona's cornerback room moving forward. 

Marquise Brown

Brown is the most established out of the trio listed, but there's a golden opportunity ahead of him. 

This won't be Brown's first stint as Arizona's WR1. Though DeAndre Hopkins was on the roster last season, Brown filled his shoes while Hopkins served a six-game suspension. 

In that span, Brown registered 43 receptions for 485 yards and three touchdowns. He looked strong until a foot injury sidelined him for a few weeks - and even then, he was still able to make a play or two behind Hopkins when both were on the field.

2023 is a big year for Brown, as the opportunity to once again show he can be a top wideout arrives in the final year of his rookie contract. 

If Brown continues on the initial trajectory he showed last year, he'll make himself some serious dough - whether that's from Arizona or elsewhere. 

Click This Link to Subscribe to All Cardinals on YouTube

Click This Link to Follow All Cardinals on Facebook

Arizona Cardinals Top Stories

Former Cardinals LB Passes Away

DeAndre Hopkins Has Message For Future Teammates

Fan Mailbag: Caleb Williams, Budda Baker and More

Cardinals Have Worst Offensive Trio in NFL?

Dalvin Cook Wants to Team up With DeAndre Hopkins

Four Former Cardinals Land on NFL Top 100 List