Cardinals Officially Decline Isaiah Simmons' Fifth-Year Option

The Arizona Cardinals finally made their big decision on the future of Isaiah Simmons.

The May 2 deadline has come and gone for teams to exercise the fifth-year option for 2020's draft class, and the Arizona Cardinals have declined the option of Isaiah Simmons, making him a free agent after this season.  

Options picked up: Joe Burrow, Tua Tagovailoa, Justin Herbert, Derrick Brown, Jedrick Wills, Tristna Wirfs, A.J. Terrell, CeeDee Lamb, Justin Jefferson, Brandon Aiyuk, Jerry Jeudy, Andrew Thomas

Options declined: Chase Young, C.J. Henderson, Javon Kinlaw, K'Lavon Chaisson, Kenneth Murray, Cesar Ruiz, Patrick Queen, Noah Igbinoghene, Austin Jackson, Mekhi Becton, Clyde Edwards-Helaire

According to Over The Cap, Simmons' salary in 2024 would be $12.722 million. A Pro Bowl appearance would have bumped that figure up to over $17 million.

The usage of Simmons has been a heavy topic of debate since he first arrived on the scene for his rookie year. Simmons has bounced all over the place as an off-ball and inside linebacker on top of handling nickelback duties this past year. 

That's led to some frustration with how the previous regime of head coach Kliff Kingsbury and defensive coordinator Vance Joseph utilized him. The athletic upside is high with Simmons, though his full potential has yet to be unleashed. 

Earlier at the NFL Combine, Cardinals head coach Jonathan Gannon spoke on Simmons' role within Arizona's new defense. 

"I look forward to figuring that out with him and the coaches. It's not going to be 'Hey, you're stuck in this box. This is what you're doing'. We got to see what he can handle physically and mentally and know that he's a unique skill set guy and we will use him accordingly," Gannon said.

Many believe Gannon and defensive coordinator Nick Rallis will implement a 4-3 defense, potentially utilizing Simmons as a weakside linebacker alongside Zaven Collins and Kyzir White. 

Simmons was not spotted on the field during the team's extra voluntary minicamp last week.

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