For the Arizona Cardinals to be much more competitive in 2024, their defense has to improve to a large degree, and one way to do so is to scour the free-agent market this offseason.
One particular area of need is the linebacker position, and ESPN’s Matt Bowen proposed the idea of signing Frankie Luvu, who is projected to command a three-year contract of roughly $30 million, with $17 million guaranteed.
But while the Arizona Cardinals can afford to sign Luvu since they have at least $44 million in cap space, per Spotrac, it begs the question of whether they are willing to spend that much to bolster their defense.
Why Frankie Luvu looks like a fit for the Arizona Cardinals
Matt Bowen ranked Frankie Luvu as the 42nd-best free agent this summer because he is coming off a solid campaign for the Carolina Panthers.
“The Cardinals need more production at the linebacker spot in Jonathan Gannon’s defense, and they’ll get the opportunity with Luvu headed to free agency. Luvu posted career-best numbers with the Panthers last season,” wrote Bowen.
“He fits here as an off-ball linebacker who can track the edges in the run game and get home on schemed blitzes,” he added.
In 2023, the 27-year-old linebacker completed a career-high 125 tackles, 10 of which were for losses, 5.5 sacks, five passes defended, two forced fumbles, and 11 quarterback hits across 17 regular-season games played.
With Josh Woods and Krys Barnes hitting free agency, adding a proven veteran like Luvu alongside Kyzir White certainly gives Jonathan Gannon and co. a huge boost.
Kyzir White saw his 2023 campaign cut short due to a torn bicep, but he still managed to record 90 tackles, nine of which were for losses, two sacks, three passes defended, and one interception in his first year with the Arizona Cardinals.
Other than Kyzir White, Owen Pappoe is the only other notable inside linebacker currently under contract with the Arizona Cardinals. In 2023, Pappoe had 11 tackles, one pass defended, and one quarterback hit in 16 appearances, spending more time as part of the special teams.
Speaking of the Carolina Panthers, they are at risk of losing two of their best defenders, as, other than Frankie Luvu, Brian Burns is also going to be a free agent.