Cardinals safety Andrew Wingard thinks he ‘can handle’ the Pat Tillman comparisons

The Arizona Cardinals’ newest addition to the safety room, Andrew Wingard, isn’t backing down to the comparisons to Pat Tillman.

While Wingard admitted it’s a lot of pressure being put on him, he’s excited for the challenge to remind Cardinals’ fans of the team’s Ring of Honor member.

“I think I can handle it, and it’s funny, I had a buddy at Wyoming who always used to call me Pat,” Wingard told Arizona Sports’ Wolf & Luke on Monday. “So it feels eerie like it’s meant to be in a way.”

“It feels eerie like it’s meant to be in a way.”

Cardinals’ safety Andrew Wingard reacts to being compared to Pat Tillman on @WolfandLuke.

Full interview: https://t.co/k8Ggu7qqHT pic.twitter.com/7S5TCoItdP

— Arizona Sports (@AZSports) March 16, 2026

“Hopefully, I can step into the shoes of the long-haired, white guy who flies around and puts his body on the line. So, I’m looking forward to it.”

Wingard isn’t the first long-haired, white guy who flies around to play for the Cardinals since Tillman.

Linebacker Dennis Gardeck spent the first seven years of his career in Arizona before playing for the Jaguars last season, along with Wingard.

“I know the aura of the (Gardeck),” Wingard said. “I think I can bring a little bit of that psycho white dude to the table.”

While Wingard’s physical profile and intention of bringing aura and intensity to the locker room is comparable to the former Cardinals, the safety also has his own set of distinguishing nicknames.

Wingard has been called Wingardium Leviosa from Harry Potter and Dewey from Dwight “Dewey” Riley in Scream, but there’s also a third nickname he calls his alter ego: Morris the Blade.

“It’s definitely going to be Dewey for sure. I’ve survived like four or five coaching staff, so that probably bodes better,” Wingard said. “But Dewey, Morris the Blade, that’s kind of my alter ego, so I kind of like to go by those two.”

“You know, Kobe’s like Mamba. You kind of get into that zone where you kind of turn into somebody else. That’s Morris the Blade for me.”

Whether it’s “Dewey” or “Morris the Blade” on the field in 2026, Wingard will be looking to make the most of his opportunity with the Cardinals.

The safety played the first seven years of his NFL career with the Jacksonville Jaguars, collecting 349 tackles, 22 passes defensed, 11 tackles for loss and six interceptions.

Wingard signed with the Cardinals this offseason after Arizona “showed early interest,” and he felt his play fit well with defensive coordinator Nick Rallis’ scheme.

The veteran should compete with Dadrion “Rabbit” Taylor-Demerson for a starting spot alongside Budda Baker. But, whether he earns a starting spot or he’s leaned on for depth and special teams help, he’s just focused on improving every day.

“It really doesn’t matter to me, to be honest with you,” Wingard said. “I’m just blessed to get the opportunity to compete and my soul focus is when I’m on the practice field, I’m getting better at the game of football, so that when I’m playing in games, I’m going to fall on the level of my training.

“If the coaching staff wants me to start, that’s great. If the coaching staff wants me to be a third guy, rotational guy, special teams piece, I’m going to do it, and I’m not going to complain about it. … I’m competitive as hell and I want to be the best, and I see myself as the best.”

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