Cardinals Named Least Desirable NFL Trade Destination

Nobody wants to play for the Arizona Cardinals.

Things can change rather quickly in the NFL - just ask Arizona Cardinals fans. 

It doesn't feel like long ago when the Cardinals were the hottest team in the NFL at 7-0 and Kyler Murray was being described as an early MVP candidate. That was in the middle of the 2021 season, and quite much has changed since. 

Now, the Cardinals find themselves with a new head coach and general manager while their coveted quarterback's return from an ACL injury is still unknown. Players such as J.J. Watt and DeAndre Hopkins have departed the team, and Budda Baker went public with a trade request earlier in the offseason. 

It's always sunny in Arizona, though the outside perspective on the Cardinals is nowhere close. Bleacher Report's Maurice Moton listed Arizona as one of the league's least desirable trade destinations along with the Washington Commanders, Las Vegas Raiders, Green Bay Packers and New England Patriots.

Cardinals Named Least Desirable NFL Trade Destination

Can Jonathan Gannon change the narrative around the Arizona Cardinals? 

"Based on their offseason moves and quarterback Kyler Murray's uncertain timeline of recovery from a torn ACL, the Arizona Cardinals will likely finish at the bottom of the standings for the 2023 season," wrote Moton.

"Under a new regime led by general manager Monti Ossenfort and head coach Jonathan Gannon, the Cardinals have started to rebuild their roster.

"They allowed defensive lineman Zach Allen and cornerback Byron Murphy Jr. to sign elsewhere in free agency, leaving starting spots to fill at those respective positions. The front office also released three-time All-Pro wideout DeAndre Hopkins.

"When you consider those moves with the possibility that Colt McCoy or rookie fifth-rounder Clayton Tune may run the offense for several weeks, how can anyone get excited about a short-term future in Arizona?

:According to ESPN's Adam Schefter, All-Pro safety Budda Baker wants the Cardinals to make him the highest-paid player at his position or grant his trade request, and that should tell you a lot about the trajectory of the franchise.

"Furthermore, the loss of J.J. Watt and Rodney Hudson, two respected veterans who retired this offseason, leaves a void in the team's leadership core. Remember, right tackle Kelvin Beachum believes Murray has to 'grow up a little bit' as a prominent player in the locker room.

"Arizona has lost key players, and its injured quarterback hasn't established himself in the locker room. The Cardinals' 2023 season could run off the rails within the first couple of months, which sets them apart from the other teams on this list."

Moton makes a lot of points - most of which are fair. 

It'd be unreasonable to expect any player to want to come to Arizona, as the Cardinals aren't willing to offer a major payday in absence of their failure to promise a potential Super Bowl run this season. 

However, the trajectory of the franchise seems to be trending in the right direction under Monti Ossenfort. The Cardinals acquired some lofty draft capital for 2024 and are also set to have some strong cap space after this season, too.

Right now? Sure, Arizona is projected to be one of the worst teams in the league. Yet if the Cardinals can continue to piece together strong moves that mirror the beginning of their rebuild, that could change sooner than some think. 

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