Former Steelers running back Rashard Mendenhall is heading to Arizona.
The Cardinals signed Mendenhall to a one-year contract, agent Mike McCartney wrote on Twitter.
The 25-year-old Mendenhall was a 2008 first-round pick of the Steelers, and he showed promise when he became the starter in Pittsburgh in his second season, toping 1,000 yards in both 2009 and 2010. But Mendenhall fell out of favor with the team in 2012, fumbling too much, losing his starting job and clashing with the coaching staff.
Now Mendenhall will be reunited with Cardinals head coach Bruce Arians, who was the Steelers’ offensive coordinator in Mendenhall’s first four seasons in Pittsburgh. In Arizona, Mendenhall will compete with Ryan Williams for the starting job. The Cardinals were also interested in signing Reggie Bush, but when Bush went to Detroit, the Cardinals acted fast to ink Mendenhall to a contract.
The Broncos were also interested in acquiring Mendenhall, but Denver will have to look elsewhere to fill its running back needs.
Mendenall is the No. 56 player in our Free Agent Hot 100.