PHOENIX — Isaiah Simmons’ time in Arizona is over. The Arizona Cardinals are trading the former first-round pick to the New York Giants, the team said Thursday morning.
A 2024 seventh-round pick is reportedly headed back to the Cardinals in exchange for Simmons, the Cardinals announced.
This has been talked about for weeks behind the scenes. Those of us around the team daily knew this was coming. Simmons was not going to be apart of the team’s long term future and didn’t play well this preseason. Cardinals were obviously disappointed in Simmons’ performance and effort, especially against the Chiefs.
Head Coach Jonathan Gannon addressed the media in Minnesota Thursday morning.
"We're always going to make decisions predicated on what we think is best for the team," Gannon said. "We wish Isaiah well, but thought that was the best move for us as we sit here today.
Gannon went on to say he didn't believe the trade was about Isaiah, but rather the direction of the team.
"He did everything that we asked him to do," Gannon proclaimed. "Moving forward we think this is the best way how we wanna play football against other people."
Cardinals General Manager Monti Ossenfort also talked about the trade listen to what he had to say in the video below.
Simmons was drafted by the Cardinals with the eighth-overall pick in the 2020 NFL Draft. He was one of the best athletes coming out of college, but he struggled to find a position in Arizona.
This new regime has ZERO issue moving on from the past regime’s failures. Keep that in mind.
Simmons switched positions multiple times during the past three seasons in the desert. Going into year four, the team declined his fifth-year contract option, making him a free agent after this season. They also switched him to play safety, something Simmons asked for in the offseason and said was more of his natural position.
The Cardinals used Simmons at linebacker, safety and corner at times but the former Clemson standout couldn't find a main role to play.
Before being traded, Simmons was preparing to start the season at safety after the new coaching staff in Arizona decided how to best utilize his abilities.
In 50 career games, Simmons has 181 tackles, 7.5 sacks and 7 forced fumbles, according to Pro Football Reference.
Get your popcorn ready! Simmons will get to see his former team in Week 2 when the Giants play the Cardinals in Arizona.
Lineman Josh Jones also on the move
In a separate move Thursday, the Cardinals announced they also traded offensive lineman Josh Jones and a 2024 seventh-round pick to the Houston Texas for the Texans fifth-round pick in 2024.
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