Weenieworld, which recently described Will Levis as "elderly," is still in love with Simmons, making all kinds of excuses for his disappointing play. If he wasn't the most hyped player of his draft he was pretty darn close. Another "NFL ready" player who wasn't but who only needs a new coach to "unlock his full potential." Oh dat upside:
Cardinals did not exercise the fifth-year option on LB Isaiah Simmons.
The former eighth overall pick now enters a contract year in a new system under first-year head coach Jonathan Gannon in Arizona. Simmons played all around the formation while at Clemson but has been grossly mishandled as a member of the Cardinals. His elite athleticism has led to plus grades in coverage and when in on the pass rush, with the biggest hole in his game coming against the run. Naturally, that athletic profile led former Cardinals coaches to try and fit him into the mold of an inside linebacker, which has decidedly stunted his growth as a professional. Most notably, Simmons missed 12 tackles a season ago. It will be up to Gannon to unlock his full potential in 2023.