Good with a grunt: Less is more for Cardinals’ Isaac Seumalo

TEMPE — Like Kevin Malone on The Office, “Why waste time say lot word when few word do trick?”

For Malone, taking out all the unimportant words was all about saving time and energy. Not a great practice for an office setting, though.

But on the football field? That’s a different ballgame, as veteran offensive lineman Isaac Seumalo has already displayed in his short time with the franchise.

 

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“I love playing next to Isaac,” left tackle Paris Johnson Jr. said during minicamp. “He doesn’t really talk much. … I’ll be making my calls and I’ll look at him and he’ll start to grunt. That’s all I need. If I hear the grunt, I know we’re on the same page.”

While Seumalo has only been a Cardinal for less than a full offseason, it’s clear his connection with Johnson is already forming.

That should come in handy this year as Arizona looks to turn the page from a three-win season, marked by a lethargic run game and struggling offensive line.

If he can stay healthy — Seumalo missed seven games combined the past two years — the veteran is expected to boost Arizona’s interior. Since 2022, he’s started 61 games across two franchises and can play either left or right guard if need be.

For now, though, it appears he’s right at home grunting away to Johnson on the left side of Arizona’s line.

“I’m excited to build that bond, and honestly, that kind of thing just comes with time on and off the field,” Seumalo said in March about working with Johnson. “I’m just juiced to get to work.”

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