Three Former Cardinals Could Retire After 2024

The Arizona Cardinals have some talented former players that could hang it up for good after 2024

Author:
Donnie Druin
Apr 02, 2024

In this story:

Arizona Cardinals

Calais Campbell

Patrick Peterson

Zach Ertz

NFL

ARIZONA -- The Arizona Cardinals have a few familiar faces that could be staring down their final year in the NFL in 2024.

Bleacher Report recently went through and named ten players who could ride off into the sunset following the upcoming season - and three former Cardinals cracked the list:

Patrick Peterson

undefined — Pittsburgh Steelers cornerback Patrick Peterson (20) celebrates an interception in the first quarter

Sam Greene/The Enquirer / USA TODAY

Maurice Moton: "As a rookie with the Arizona Cardinals, Patrick Peterson played at an All-Pro level and went on to become one of the franchise's best overall players. He had eight Pro Bowl and three All-Pro campaigns with the Cardinals.

"Over the last three years, Peterson has been a solid cover man with the Minnesota Vikings and Pittsburgh Steelers, logging 31 pass breakups and eight interceptions in that stretch.

"Interestingly, Peterson saw some looks at free safety with the Steelers last season. Perhaps he can extend his career with a move from cornerback to safety, similar to Hall of Famer Charles Woodson, who made the full-time transition in the latter part of his career.

"Even in a decent showing with the Steelers in 2023, Peterson's coverage numbers dipped slightly. He allowed a passer rating over 91 for the first time since his final season with the Cardinals.

"If Peterson's coverage continues to slip and he's unable to transition to safety in 2024, he might consider retirement rather than finishing his career on a down note."

Zach Ertz

Moton: "A few years ago, Zach Ertz was one of the league's top pass-catching tight ends.

"Ertz recorded 75-plus catches and 816-plus receiving yards in each season between 2015 and 2019. He led the Philadelphia Eagles in both categories for four consecutive campaigns during that stretch.

"Unfortunately, Ertz's career hit a bump in the road with an injury-riddled 2020 season. Weeks before the 2021 trade deadline, Philadelphia sent him to the Arizona Cardinals, which allowed tight end Dallas Goedert to emerge in the Eagles' passing game.

"In Arizona, Ertz showed brief flashes of his Pro Bowl form, but the Cardinals trended in the wrong direction. His numbers took a nose dive last season because of Arizona's unstable quarterback situation with Kyler Murray recovering from a torn ACL.

"After logging career lows in catches and receiving yards last season and a brief stint on the Detroit Lions practice squad in January, Ertz signed a one-year deal with the rebuilding Washington Commanders this offseason.

"Over the last two years, Ertz has missed 17 games. Now a 50-50 player in terms of availability, he could be on his way out of the league after the 2024 campaign."

Calais Campbell

Moton: "Since his second year in the NFL (2009), Calais Campbell has played in a primary starting role with four teams and rarely missed time because of injuries. Campbell earned All-Pro or Pro Bowl accolades with the Arizona Cardinals, Jacksonville Jaguars and Baltimore Ravens.

"Although he's now 37 years old, Campbell can still get after the quarterback. Last season with the Atlanta Falcons, he recorded 6.5 sacks and 24 pressures in 17 starts. Winner of the 2019 Walter Payton NFL Man of the Year Award and the 2023 Alan Page Award, Campbell brought leadership qualities at every stop in his career.

"Based on his recent production and availability, Campbell could probably suit up for another two or three years, but he's played for three teams in the past five seasons. He's currently a free agent, so there's no guarantee that he'll even play in 2024.

"If Campbell does sign another one-year deal, he might decide to hang up his cleats after this year to avoid moving around again."