Before Evan Mathis signed with the Cardinals this spring, both coach Bruce Arians and offensive coordinator Harold Goodwin had dinner with the veteran guard.
They let him know they wanted him to help fortify the offensive line. But they had another important request. They wanted him to help D.J. Humphries, the team’s 2015 first-round pick who was inactive all season, mature.
“The first meeting, as soon as Evan walked in the room, he mandated D.J. sit next to him,” Goodwin said. “They’ve been working out together every morning in the weight room. From D.J.’s standpoint, he gets to see a Pro Bowl player work every day, how he works, how he is a
professional.