Report: Cardinals QB Josh Rosen showed up to work early

Apr 8, 2019, 8:35 AM | Updated: 10:14 am

Arizona Cardinals quarterback Josh Rosen (3) warms up prior to an NFL football game against the Oakland Raiders, Sunday, Nov. 18, 2018, in Glendale, Ariz. (AP Photo/Ross D. Franklin)

(AP Photo/Ross D. Franklin)

BY KEVIN ZIMMERMAN

ArizonaSports.com lead editor

You know what they say: Early is on time, and on time is late.

Second-year Cardinals quarterback Josh Rosen apparently knows that rule, because NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport reported that Rosen, who has been named in trade speculation this offseason, was the first player in the building Monday as offseason workouts began for Arizona.

He was the first in the building as a rookie to! Great Guy and player!

— Markus Golden (@markusgolden) April 8, 2019

Maybe this bit of non-news means the Cardinals will let Rosen lead the 2019 Cardinals under first-year coach Kliff Kingsbury. Remember, as of January, Kingsbury took the job thinking 2019 draft prospect Kyler Murray was about to embark on a baseball career — the coach’s main task then was to develop Rosen, last year’s No. 10 overall pick.

Things have obviously changed since.

Now with Murray in the NFL Draft pool, maybe Arizona is making Rosen’s attendance well-known to portray Rosen as a team player and leader. Make him look good and they can trade him while drafting Murray, the Oklahoma quarterback prospect, with the No. 1 pick.

Nobody can really say. Cardinals general manager Steve Keim might not even have come to a firm conclusion about what to do at this point. A mind-boggling offer for either Rosen or the No. 1 pick could always change their mind.

Hate this media-driven story all you’d like, but give Keim and the Cardinals credit for allowing it to create confusion about their plans.

Everyone has assumed Arizona will take Murray in the draft without any evidence the team is set on him. The only thing anyone has to go on is that the Cardinals have met with Murray and, according to 98.7 FM Arizona’s Sports Station’s John Gambadoro, will host him this week.

As it stands, they aren’t showing indications of shopping Rosen, ESPN’s Adam Schefter reported last week.

Arizona has also met with and hosted draft prospects in Ohio State defensive end Nick Bosa and Alabama defensive tackle Quinnen Williams, making the case that they are in the mix to come off the board at No. 1, too. Will all these potential avenues create a favorable trade offer for the No. 1 pick on draft day?

It doesn’t hurt.

What’s Rosen showing up early to work mean?

Hardly much. Or maybe everything.

The #AZCardinals offseason conditioning program begins today, and not only is QB Josh Rosen in the building… he was the first guy in the building for new coach Kliff Kingsbury.

— Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) April 8, 2019

He must be there packing his stuff up since this guy is coming in in a couple weeks…. pic.twitter.com/vcPaIpvvZz

— JaiHawkFLY (@JaiHawkFly) April 8, 2019

Lol no need Josh, they are replacing ya

— Kendall Jacobs (@ItsJakesYO) April 8, 2019

Nick bosa incoming

— Felix gebert (@gebert_felix) April 8, 2019

Future Redskin

— Landon Collins SZN (@PrimeRedskins) April 8, 2019

But did he beat the janitor there?

— Will Brinson (@WillBrinson) April 8, 2019

pic.twitter.com/IGAPpzx8b8

— Terrek (@Terrek11) April 8, 2019

pic.twitter.com/qoZ6oGj6Td

— Nick Thunborg (@nick_thunborg) April 8, 2019

Kliff was probably like “Nice to see you Josh” pic.twitter.com/PQvzcOF09m

— The Opening Drive (@OpeningDrive) April 8, 2019

Auditioning for his new team

— George-Harrison (@GHMcHugh) April 8, 2019

They just need to tell him whether they’re taking Kyler or not. Do him the courtesy, he’s been extremely professional during this entire process and if they let him risk injury when they have no intention of keeping him that’s just… not a good look.

— Brandon Howard (@RocTheJetsFan) April 8, 2019

Way too many people are way too convinced that Arizona is going to take Murray and that Rosen will be traded. As of now, he is the starting QB for that team. I would expect him to arrive early.

— Brian (@Brian_FFL) April 8, 2019