Bidwill about to destroy another locker room?
By Walter Mitchell
2022
When Kyler Murray was holding out for a new contract heading into his 4th season in the NFL, seeing as the Cardinals had Kyler under control for two more seasons (with 5th year option), as seeing how he had further divided an already divided locker room, I predicted that if Michael Bidwill were to cave and give Kyler his EA$Y Money, the message that would send to the locker room would destroy the team's morale and any chances they had to compete for the playoffs again.
That prediction was so easy --- that is --- if and when you know anything about team morale.
Vociferous Cardinals' fans were crying out in droves on social media for Bidwill to pay Kyler NOW because (a) it would save money on the cap in the long run and because (b) "they have no other choice."
Turns out, Michael Bidwill was listening --- very keenly.
It also turns out that both of the fans' reasons why the Cardinals had "no other choice" but to sign Kyler after his third season (with yet another shaky late season performance) were errors in judgement.
The Cardinals always had other choices.
And as for the Cardinals saving money on the cap --- the absolute reverse happened.
The Cardinals are paying these regrettable dead cap figures:
2026 Dead Cap Hit: $46,568,966
2027 Dead Cap Hit: $7.2M
Meanwhile, Kyler Murray is playing for the Minnesota Vikings for the veteran minimum of $1.3M all guaranteed.
Not only did Kyler's $230.5M contract feel like a slap in the face to players on team, think of what Kyler's teammates felt when they learned that Kyler was being paid over $10M just to show up for OTAs with a "homework clause" no less.
If you understand team morale, you understand why Kyler's contract was bound to destroy the team's chances to win.
This is precisely what happens when a team owner listens more to the fans than to his own players in the locker room.
2026
Now, ever so ironically, while the locker room is fully united in wanting Jacoby Brissett to keep building on what he started as QB1 last season, is Michael Bidwill is once again standing in the way of what his own players want?
Without question, Jacoby Brissett has been the only QB during Monti Ossenfort's 4-year tenure as GM to generate a prolific passing attack.
One would think that Michael Bidwill would feel indebted to Jacoby for not only proving beyond a shadow of a doubt how Kyler Murray was failing the Cardinals in terms of performance, sacrifice and leadership, but also for showing the kind of toughness at the QB position that has not been seen since the days of Kurt Warner and Carson Palmer.
Yet could Michael Bidwill once again be listening to the vociferous Cardinals' fans who have turned Jacoby Brissett into a persona non grata --- insisting, unlike Jacoby's teammates in the locker room, that Jacoby is nothing more than a money-grubbing "career backup" and "perpetual loser"?
Meanwhile, back in the locker room, while Jacoby has been holding out in an effort to be given a fair 2026 salary, here is a sampling of what his teammates are feeling about his holdout:
Marv:
https://x.com/BoBrack/status/2061934235523645472?s=20
Trey:
"Fair salary: $15M with $10M guaranteed, with $5M in added incentives to make the contract worth up to $20M."
ReplyDelete---This is what I've been saying - Why has this front office not see the value? Because, Bidwill dictates player contracts and wreaking out every penny he can for his growth in wealth over providing a 'good product'. Instead the Cardinals organization continues its losing ways due to ownership. Is it any wonder why coaches don't want to come here, is it any wonder free agents don't want to come here? We're not in a win now mode, we're in a tank now mode. As we've been since BA walked away. Maybe we hit lightning in a bottle with LaFleur, he just has to overcome his owners roster choices (ie. retaining Rallis).
Fans - Just want a team they can root for. A team who plays competitive football. One who has a chance to make playoffs and winning more than 50% of its games. They are frustrated and look for quick fixes - tank for Kyler, Tank for Marvin, Tank for next QB....they fall prey to the PR of Cardinals football. I find it funny, the number of people supporting cutting Brissett saying he isn't worth cost - doesn't that sound just like something Bidwill and his PR team would float to public? Maybe Patrick Peterson had it right - "snakes in the grass". Which I am certain there are more former Cardinals players feeling that way than not (e.g. Warner, Mathieu, etc.).
As for Kyler - He made promises neither his mind or body could keep (winning). He got exactly what he always wanted, a big contract to set him up for life without having to play for it. After his contract I think he played about 50-60% of time available, he played more conservatively to protect himself and yet was injured more. He regressed or got lazy, take your pick. He also had more to do with the poor roster decisions trying to fit personnel with his skill (or lack thereof). He never worked at improving his game, he already won prize "MVP Uncoachability" of league.
Local media and majority of fans get what they deserve, a terrible franchise with a terrible owner. More important things in life to keep and cherish than a failing football team in town. Unfortunately jr is young compared to most nfl owners and will never change his ways. If they go into the season with Minshew and Beck as 1 and 2, then this team will win maybe 2 games only to be embarrassed on draft day with the news that multiple top qbs will avoid being drafted here.
ReplyDeleteFACT-the Arizona Cardinals have never had a completely clean, drama-free preseason or offseason cycle since relocating to Arizona in 1988.
ReplyDeleteWill this franchise EVER have preseason without controversy, hold outs, disfunction, rebuild failure and replace it with professionalism, harmony and competitive growth?
For a franchise in a top-15 U.S. media market, with a modern stadium, favorable weather, and NFL revenue sharing, the Cardinals have generated surprisingly little sustained national relevance.
Leaked 2026 NFLPA Report Card-multiple reports indicated that Bidwill received the only F grade for ownership in the NFL from his own players.
Did I hear that tidbit of information from our local sports media? NOPE
The team controls extensive hours of paid radio programming and television broadcasting. For example, Arizona Sports 98.7 FM is the official flagship radio station of the team, broadcasting heavily managed weekly content like the Big Red Rage, Red Sea Report, and Cardinals Underground. While they can criticize on-field play, they are specifically barred from unleashing scathing, personal, or prolonged attacks on Michael Bidwill’s ownership style or workplace culture.
Following a dismal 3-14 performance, Michael Bidwill still implemented consistent price hikes—often eclipsing 10% depending on the seating section. While face-value season tickets cost hundreds of dollars, secondary market prices plunged as low as $12 late in the year, causing season ticket holders to lose massive amounts of money.
In late 2023, an extensive investigative report by ESPN exposed a deeply toxic internal workplace environment under Bidwill.Leaked documents revealed that a massive majority of Cardinals employees were "working in fear" on a daily basis due to Bidwill's erratic, intense, and verbally abusive behavior.
We have a bright young HC, a rookie RB who will be 1000% excitement along with powerful running mates, an ascending WR group, most promising OL in a decade and a defense with a strong positional coaching staff. It's enough to stay positive and reasonably expect improved schemes, player growth and a competitive effort every game. That's how we Cards fans roll.