Heading into the 2016 off-season, the priority of the Arizona Cardinals was no big secret. General manager Steve Keim set out to find a pass rusher. And boy did he ever.
Thanks largely to the acquisition of edge rusher extraordinaire Chandler Jones, the Cards’ ability to sack quarterbacks greatly improved. After being tied for a 20th ranking in sacks in 2015, Arizona jumped all the way to number one last year. Remaining there will be tough.
Free agent departures this offseason have weakened the pass rush. The sacks the club lost won’t be easy to replenish.
The Cardinals’ biggest name to leave is defensive end Calais Campbell.