The Arizona Cardinals are set to bring in veteran outside linebacker Connor Barwin in for a visit this week, per ESPN’s Adam Schefter.
Former Rams’ and Eagles’ LB Connor Barwin is scheduled to visit this week with the Arizona Cardinals, per source.
Barwin, 31, spent last season with the Los Angeles Rams. He had five sacks and 34 total tackles in 14 games (13 starts). Prior to his lone season in LA, Barwin spent the previous four years with the Philadelphia Eagles.
Barwin played and started every game during that four-year span in Philly and recorded 214 total tackles, 31.5 sacks, and six forced fumbles. He had his best year in 2014, where he had a career-high 14.5 sacks and made his lone Pro Bowl team. He also had a four-year spell with the Houston Texans, who drafted him in the second round in 2009.
The Cardinals already have one outstanding edge rusher in Chandler Jones, who led the league with 17 sacks last season. They have also had a good deal of success generating pressure on opposing quarterbacks over the past few years by blitzing. That should continue to be the case given head coach Steve Wilks and defensive coordinator Al Holcomb’s blitz-heavy defense in Carolina.
However, they could still use another reliable pass rusher who can provide pressure opposite Jones even without blitzing. Markus Golden, who was supposed to take up that role, is still recovering from a torn ACL which cost him 12 games last season.
Barwin would provide the Cardinals with another proven pass rusher to help put consistent pressure on quarterbacks. Apart from Jones or Olsen Pierre, no other Cards player recorded more than 2.5 sacks last season.
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