The Cardinals are planning to upgrade their offensive line by cutting a veteran starter and signing a better replacement.
Daryn Colledge, a guard who has started all 16 games in all three of his seasons in Arizona, is apparently about to be released. Colledge said goodbye to Arizona on Twitter on Saturday.
“Wanna thank you the fans and the Cardinals for an amazing opportunity. A great organization headed in the right direction. Wish ya the best,” Colledge wrote.
The 32-year-old Colledge would have been due a $4.8 million salary this season, so it’s no surprise that he was a cap casualty. The question now is where the Cardinals will look to improve on the offensive line.
According to Kent Somers of the Arizona Republic, the Cardinals’ No. 1 target is free agent left tackle Branden Albert. If they’re not able to acquire the sought-after Albert, the Cardinals’ Plan B would be guard/tackle Rodger Saffold. Either Albert or Saffold would improve the Cardinals’ offensive line.
Colledge will become a free agent as soon as his release from the Cardinals is official, and one place where he could find a job is Miami, as he previously played for coach Joe Philbin in Green Bay. Saffold handled his departure from Arizona with class, and the Dolphins could use a classy veteran on their offensive line.