Although the Cardinals have another new coaching staff in place, Markus Golden has not been ruled out of the team’s plans.
Golden’s agent and the Cardinals have engaged in periodic discussions about staying in Arizona, the four-year veteran linebacker said during a Sirius XM Radio interview.
Kliff Kingsbury hired Vance Joseph to be his DC. Joseph used a 4-3 look during his season as the Dolphins’ DC in 2016 but kept the Broncos’ 3-4 set intact during his Denver stay. He said the Cardinals will use a 3-4 as well. Golden would prefer to land with a team that uses a 3-4 defense, though the former University of Missouri standout played as a 4-3 defensive end in college and functioned in this capacity last season after the Cards’ brief switch to a 4-3 alignment.
A torn ACL sidetracked Golden’s career. After a 12.5-sack 2016 season, the former second-round pick has registered just 2.5 since. He tore the ACL in October 2017 and was not ready by Week 1 of last season. Golden started 11 games last year, however.
“I’m basically a hundred percent; I feel good,” Golden said during the interview. “I’ve been working hard. I’ve been training and everything. And I’ve actually been able to actually get this offseason and been able to work this offseason.
“… Arizona gave me the opportunity to play, so we’ll see how it works out. No matter what happens, I’ll be ready and I’ll be prepared because I’m going to keep on working and I’m going to keep putting the work in.”
While Golden is entering free agency with little momentum, he probably stands to benefit from the slew of pass rushers likely set to be taken off the market via the franchise tag. DeMarcus Lawrence, Jadeveon Clowney, Dee Ford and Frank Clark are almost certainly not going to see free agency this year. This would stand to elevate the lower tiers of the UFA pass-rushing contingent, though Golden likely is not in line for a long-term deal given his recent history.