Odegard: It Is Time to Learn About Monti Ossenfort

Monti Ossenfort made a big decision heading into his first free agency foray with the Cardinals in 2023.

The first-year general manager did nothing.

Arizona was idle as the first and second wave of free agents went off the board last season, which was the prudent move to get the salary cap situation back in shape amidst a rebuilding year.

But now the Cardinals have ample cap space, a healthy Kyler Murray raring to go and some pretty good vibes considering the team went 4-13 last season.

No one expects a Super Bowl next season, but it’s time to return back to competitiveness and make a push for the playoffs.

Which brings us to this: What will Ossenfort do?

The GM has shown his draft chops, making a great first-round trade and collecting a solid class in 2023, but we don’t know much about his team-building philosophy.

Here are a few different things I’m most interested to find out as free agency begins on Monday.

Does Ossenfort Pursue a Big Ticket Free Agent?

The Cardinals have the cap space to compete for Christian Wilkins, Danielle Hunter, Kyle Fuller, or any other premium free agent on the market.

Will they make a run at someone, and if so, is Ossenfort willing to overpay to get his guy?

Wilkins isn’t Aaron Donald or Chris Jones, and the pass-rush numbers have been pedestrian at times in the past, so there is risk. 

But he would fill a black hole on the defensive side of the ball and make life easier for those around him. Is Wilkins worth it? 

Big decision for Ossenfort.

Does Ossenfort Trade Budda Baker?

Big-name safeties are getting released at an alarming rate this offseason, as the position continues to get devalued across the NFL.

Teams like the Bills and Broncos were in bad cap shape and needed the salary relief. The Cardinals do not, but is Baker worth more to Ossenfort than about $15 million in savings and a potential Day 3 pick?

Baker is in the final year of his deal, but he’s still only 28 years old. He is still playing at a high enough level that the Cardinals could extend him and keep him as a cornerstone player on their defense.

But Ossenfort and coach Jonathan Gannon seem to have a real penchant for building through the premium positions, as the 2023 draft showed.

Baker is an All-Pro-level player, but would Ossenfort prefer to use that money on someone else? The dead cap hit is only about $4 million, so Ossenfort has either option at his disposal.

Will Ossenfort Take a Flier On Older, Injured Guys?

Tre’Davious White is a former elite-level corner who has been besieged by serious injuries the last couple of seasons, but isn't ancient at 29.

What does Ossenfort think of someone like that? Does he take a chance, knowing a healthy White would help solve the Cardinals’ No. 1 cornerback issue at a fair price, or does he want to avoid paying guys on the downside of their careers?

Former GM Steve Keim had a penchant for signing guys like J.J. Watt, Zach Ertz and A.J. Green, former stars at the twilight of their careers.

The moves worked for a little while, but injuries or ineffectiveness ultimately made each of those signings questionable.

It’s a risk, but finding the right veterans can really give you a plug-and-play starter that helps immediately. 

Is This a One- or Two-Year Rebuild?

Everyone on the planet knew the Cardinals were rebuilding in 2023, and Ossenfort did a fantastic job of getting the salary cap in order and stockpiling draft picks.

Is he ready to be aggressive and return Arizona to relevancy in 2024, or slow-play it by continuing to build with an eye on 2025?

The Cardinals have +1300 odds to win the NFC West next season, per Caesars sportsbook, which is last among the four teams, so the oddsmakers are wary of a big turnaround.

And maybe Ossenfort wants to take it slow, but does that jibe with owner Michael Bidwill’s wishes? The Cardinals have stunk for two straight years and State Farm Stadium has turned into the world’s most welcoming away venue.

That’s embarrassing, and Bidwill might not want to deal with another season of poor ticket sales and a general malaise about his football team.

We are going to learn a lot about Ossenfort in the coming weeks, from his team-building philosophy to his level of urgency level to field a much better product in 2024.

The second-year GM aced his first season in the desert, but now a bigger test awaits.