So what did the Cardinals get in return for tackle Levi Brown? Per a source with knowledge of the deal, not too much.
The source says the Cardinals are getting “late-round stuff” in exchange for Brown, the former top-five draft pick who played college football at Penn State and who is from Eastern Virginia, an area for which coach Mike Tomlin seems to have a specific affinity when it comes to finding players. That implies either one, or more than one, low-round draft pick.
Brown has played for the Cardinals since entering the league in 2007. With the Steelers, he’ll presumably be placed immediately at the left tackle position, where 2012 second-round pick Mike Adams repeatedly was beaten and abused by Vikings defensive end Jared Allen on Sunday.
It’s an odd move for the Cardinals, who had been creating a win-now vibe based on some of their late-preseason moves — and who are tied for second place in the NFC West after four games. Losing Brown won’t help them win now, and what they’re getting in return may not do much to help them win later.