Cardinals Are 'Open For Business' According to NFL Execs

ARIZONA -- We're just a week removed from the NFL's trade deadline, and the 1-6 Arizona Cardinals could be looking to make a move.

No, the team won't be securing a premium player for high draft capital, though the Cardinals are in a great spot to continue bolstering their slew of high picks in the 2024 NFL Draft while cutting ties with players who don't fit the future vision.

That's something general manager Monti Ossenfort has displayed on numerous occasions throughout the offseason, first allowing players such as Byron Murphy and Zach Allen to get paid elsewhere in free agency before cutting ties with names such as DeAndre Hopkins and Isaiah Simmons over the summer.

The Cardinals have six picks in the first three rounds of the 2024 NFL Draft with five more on Day 3. As of now, Arizona is slated to have $66 million in cap space next offseason according to OverTheCap.

Despite their poor start to the season, the Cardinals aren't in a position where they absolutely need to sell some names off the roster, though one NFL insider says teams around the league believe they're open for business.

ESPN's Jeremy Fowler recently went through various trade rumors and rumblings throughout the league and dropped this nugget on Arizona:

"I don't foresee Arizona moving Marquise Brown, barring surprise. Though some execs believe Arizona, in a general sense, is open for business."

Wide receiver Marquise Brown has been a name floated around various teams. The Athletic's Diana Russini said the Cardinals had received calls on Brown but the team wasn't looking to move him.

Brown isn't the only player that's been tied to trade speculation, though.

The Dallas Cowboys have reportedly had conversations with the Cardinals on the availability of tight end Zach Ertz according to NFL Analysis Network:

“The Cowboys would love to get something done before the trade deadline. Zach Ertz is a name they have talked about. Conversations are ongoing between Dallas and Arizona.”

Safety Budda Baker had previously requested a trade in the offseason and the Philadelphia Eagles were interested in acquiring him before Arizona reportedly told them he was off the table.

Ossenfort - to this point - has done a fantastic job of positioning the Cardinals on an upward trajectory moving forward.

That's even true for their current unknown of Kyler Murray's future with the organization, which won't truly be known until after the season.

Either direction Arizona wants to go, the Cardinals can pivot comfortably.

That includes present day, as the team doesn't feel the need to sell talent where other organizations such as the Denver Broncos or Tennessee Titans might feel more pressured as the deadline nears.

The Cardinals are rebuilding, make no questions about it. Though they might not be the one picking the phone up to initiate trade talks, they're certainly listening to any offers that can help them down the road - as they should.

The NFL trade deadline is Oct. 31.