Will Cardinals Decline Isaiah Simmons' Fifth-Year Option?

We're a couple weeks removed from the 2023 NFL Draft, and the Arizona Cardinals have some decisions to make that could alter the future direction of the franchise.

Of course everyone is laser focused on the draft, and perhaps rightfully so: The Cardinals have positioned themselves to walk away as winners from draft weekend if they play their cards correctly.

Yet just a few days after the draft is over, the Cardinals will need to make another key decision on the future of Isaiah Simmons. Fifth-year options for the 2020 NFL Draft class are due by May 1, and Arizona can either opt to exercise it (keeping him on the team through the 2024 season) or decline it, making him a free agent after this season.

As far as traits, Simmons as it all. His athleticism, size and speed was what drew the Cardinals to take him in the top ten. He was first tried as an inside linebacker before eventually moving to the secondary last season.

Simmons hasn't exactly produced to standards, but exactly where he fits on a football field hasn't been solidified. Has he been misused this entire time? Will Jonathan Gannon and Nick Rallis find a way to exploit his talents best?

Arizona will have to make a decision on his future without having seen him in their new-look defense. Looking around the web, it's hard to find arguments for the Cardinals picking up his fifth-year option.

Bleacher Report

"The issue for Arizona is that finding a natural fit for Simmons has been difficult. He's played sort of a linebacker/safety hybrid role and spent much of this past season defending the slot," said Kristopher Knox.

"Production hasn't been the issue—Simmons had 99 tackles, four sacks and two interceptions this past season—and the former regime was high on his upside.

"The problem is that the former regime is gone. General manager Monti Ossenfort and head coach Jonathan Gannon didn't draft Simmons, and they'll be less eager to find a hybrid role that works for the former Tiger.

"While Simmons put up numbers as a slot defender, he wasn't particularly efficient, allowing an opposing passer rating of 104.3 in coverage.

"Our guess is that the new regime will try to make things work with Simmons while giving him a year to prove himself in a new system. Locking him in for another year at a cost of $12.7 million, though, wouldn't make a ton of sense."

Pro Football Focus

"After being shuffled around a bit on defense, Simmons appears to have found a home as a box safety/slot player in Arizona, earning a career-best 67.9 grade in 2022 and showing the type of athleticism that made him a top-10 pick, including an acrobatic pick-six against the New Orleans Saints on Thursday Night Football," said Brad Spielberger.

"However, new head coach Jonathan Gannon could shake things up even more upon his arrival.

"Arizona has a lot invested in safeties Budda Baker and Jalen Thompson already, plus they used a first-round pick the following year on linebacker Zaven Collins, so perhaps the team would be better served investing resources elsewhere on a roster that needs a ton of help."

NFL.com

"Coming into the draft, Simmons was touted as a Swiss Army knife-type playmaker, but he hasn't been the kind of do-everything star one might have hoped for, logging a total of 7.5 sacks and 16 passes defensed over this three seasons," said Marc Ross.

"The Cardinals are installing a new regime, including recently hired GM Monti Ossenfort, and at this point, I wouldn't invest in Simmons, who's started 37 of 50 regular-season games, past 2023."

Earlier at the 2023 NFL Combine, Gannon offered this when asked about Simmons' fifth-year option:

"I look forward to figuring that out with him and the coaches. It's not going to be 'Hey, you're stuck in this box. This is what you're doing'. We got to see what he can handle physically and mentally and know that he's a unique skill set guy and we will use him accordingly," he said.

Only the Cardinals truly know what the future holds, though most outsiders believe Arizona won't pick up the option.

Click This Link to Follow All Cardinals on Facebook

Click This Link to Subscribe to All Cardinals on YouTube

Arizona Cardinals Top Stories

Cardinals to Unveil New Uniforms Next Week

Exploring Five First-Round Offensive Options for Cardinals

Budda Baker Frustrated With Cardinals

Jets Reportedly Interested in DeAndre Hopkins

NFL Exec: 2023 is 'Throwaway' Year for Cards