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It appears as though his days in the desert could be numbered for Arizona Cardinals pass rusher Markus Golden. According to a weekend report from Matt Verderame of FanSided, the Cardinals are preparing to move on from the veteran defender en route to allowing Golden to test the free agent waters this offseason.
Leading to such a decision, the Cardinals seem to be enthralled with this year's NFL Draft class in terms of edge rushing talent. Not only that, but the struggling NFC West franchise is already paying another veteran pass rusher in Chandler Jones a hefty salary.
“Cardinals edge rusher Markus Golden is likely to hit the market, per source,” reads the weekend report. “Arizona loves the edge rushers in this draft class and is already paying Chandler Jones.”
The 27-year-old pass rusher has notably spent his entire NFL career in the desert as a member of the Cardinals. The Cardinals originally selected Golden in the second round of the 2015 NFL Draft out of Missouri. A four-year veteran, Golden will reportedly be able to become a free agent for the first time in his professional career after playing the last four seasons under the parameters of his rookie contract.
Last season, Golden appeared in 11 regular season games for the Cardinals, who finished in last place in the NFC West standings. Recording just 2.5 sacks in what will likely become his final go-round in Arizona, Golden has now produced a total of 19 sacks over the course of 49 regular season games atop the highest level — including a 12.5-sack performance from back in 2016-17.
