Grading James Conner's Restructure and the other Sunday Moves for Cardinals



By Walter Mitchell

The Arizona Cardinals were very busy on Sunday coming to terms in one fashion or another with:

* RB James Conner - restructure - $2.5 cap + game bonuses and performance incentives - grade: A


Bell cows don't grow on trees. This is great news for the Cardinals because of the tough, physical style and leadership that James Conner brings to the offense. 


* CB Sean Murphy-Bunting - restructure - $2M cap + game bonuses and incentives - grade: F


Cannot understand this move at all. His play in 2024 was hugely disappointing, save for the 3 interceptions he had on poor throws versus the Cardinals' soft zones. In man coverage he was routinely beat from the slot and showed little to no recovery effort or requisite speed. Incurred 9 penalties. But worst of all, his tackling efforts were an utter embarrassment.  2024 PFF grades: 56.5 overall, 29.3 tackling, 53.1 coverage. For a team returning the worst tackling grade in the NFL, this move by Monti Ossenfort signifies that he doesn't give a sh^t about tackling.


* K Chad Ryland - re-signing - 1 year deal --- grade: B+




This should set up a very interesting training camp competition between Chad Ryland and Joshua Katy. Chad had a down year in 2025 after a very good year in 2024. 

* P Blake Gillikin --- re-signing - 1 year up to $2.65M with incentives - grade: A


Blake Gillikin might be the most versatile and clutch punter the Cardinals have had since the best years of Andy Lee and Rich Camarillo. Suffered a severe back injury in 2025 and was missed not only as the punter but as Chad Ryland's holder. Hopefully this re-signing means that Gillikin is back to full strength.

Comments

  1. RedrunMarch 9, 2026 at 7:34 AM

    I was a bit taken aback with news of Murphy-Bunting restructure. I felt he was a sure cut candidate to save salary cap due to the young enfusion of draft selections. Melton maybe in doghouse after his Rallis comment :). Personally, I like Sterling Thomas V better than SMB. I would have thought STV the higher priority.

    Having Connor back in room will be good, Ryland & Giliken are necessary / good re-signs IMO as well.

    Will we see Demarcado back or will he get picked up by someone else? Still no news on Dortch or Z Jones (both likely cut candidates).

    So far nothing MO has done pushes needle forward.

    ReplyDelete
  2. Simpleman 2026March 9, 2026 at 9:00 AM

    Getting a bad feeling Monti is creating more cap space to overpay for M. Willis this week

    ReplyDelete
  3. TMAttyMarch 9, 2026 at 9:58 AM

    I truly cannot understand bringing back SMB. It wasn't a great FA signing at the time, the play was underwhelming when healthy, and then he was unhealthy. Does anyone think he's likely to play better than when we first signed him?

    ReplyDelete
  4. Walter MitchellMarch 9, 2026 at 10:29 AM


    Walter B J Mitchell
    @WBJMItch
    Three years, $67.5M with 45M guaranteed for Malik Willis on top of the $54M still owed to Kyler Murray over the next two years would have been pure insanity and yet another Cardinals' "way too much too soon" contract made out of desperation to please "name brand" obsessed fans.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Walter MitchellMarch 9, 2026 at 10:29 AM

      Fins land Willis. Thank goodness.

      Delete
    2. RedrunMarch 9, 2026 at 10:32 AM

      Whew!!!!

      Delete
    3. TMAttyMarch 9, 2026 at 10:52 AM

      Agreed, I think that would have been a terrible deal for us. Success with the Packers does not equate to success with the Cardinals, and that kind of cap space only makes sense on a sure-thing player.

      Delete
  5. Simpleman 2026March 9, 2026 at 11:14 AM

    Cards add to the backfield, they should keep Benson though with Connor’s injury history

    ReplyDelete
  6. Since 61March 9, 2026 at 12:26 PM

    Algier is a terrific addition. Now we have 2 between the tackle bangers, IF their OL can get them a running start. Algier is a bruiser who never gets hurts-so far. Another goal line efficient runner. Question for the position now is what do they hav sin Benson and will he be another mis-drafted Monty special?

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. TMAttyMarch 9, 2026 at 1:00 PM

      This looks like a real steal for Monti. Not sure what we have in Benson, but if we get him and/or Conner back and contributing, we've got a good RB room. Now we have to see what moves we make at OL.

      Delete

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