Cardinals’ Cody Simon credits veteran guidance with development ahead of Seahawks game
As Cardinals linebacker Cody Simon prepares for the Seahawks game on Sunday, the rookie credited the veterans on the team with the development he's made this season.
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As Cardinals linebacker Cody Simon prepares to start in place of Mack Wilson Sr. on Sunday, the rookie credited the veterans on the team with the development he’s made this season.
Simon said in practice on Friday that Wilson and linebacker Akeem Davis-Gaither’s guidance and trust have given him confidence in stepping up for the defense against the Seattle Seahawks on Sunday.
“They’re really great mentors. They’ve trusted me with this role and I’m gonna try to take it and do my best with it and try to execute it at the highest level,” Simon said.
Cardinals LB Cody Simon remains hyper focused on staying consistent ahead of his first NFL start ⬇️ pic.twitter.com/6f98nUAWgK
— Tyler Drake (@Tdrake4sports) November 7, 2025
Simon is coming off one of his best games in the NFL so far where the 6-foot-2 rookie from Ohio State registered three tackles and a critical forced fumble in the fourth quarter of the Cardinals’ 27-17 win against the Dallas Cowboys on Monday.
Simon, who played five years at Ohio State and was a captain last season, told Arizona Sports’ Burns & Gambo on Tuesday that the leadership on the Cardinals has encouraged him and the other rookies to make big-time plays.
“The veterans on our team they really empower the young players to make plays and be impact players,” Simon said. “Mack is one of the best leaders I’ve been around and his confidence in me has really allowed me to play stronger and faster.”
Simon said there were no changes in his preparation, even with the start coming up on Sunday and stressed the importance of staying consistent.
“It’s all just about consistency. Keeping your work consistent and just doing what’re doing everyday. I try to prepare like I’m the starter no matter what,” Simon said on Friday.
Cardinals-Seahawks kicks off from Lumen Field on Sunday at 2:05 p.m.
Catch the game on 98.7 and the Arizona Sports app.
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Comments
6 Comments
Totally agree, Williams is Seattle's best interior lineman, who is great vs the run, but gets tired and loses his edge when opponents can keep him on the field for extended drives (over 8 plays). The weather forecast for gametime in Seattle today is: 60°, Wind 2-3 mph, only 1-2% chance of rain, which is almost balmy for that part of the World at this time of year.
Until Trey Benson returns (hopefully next week), IMHO, the Arizona Offense is best served by having Brissett fill the air with footballs, establishing the play action passing game first, then throwing in the run to keep Seattle honest. It hurts Arizona's passing game that they have no RBs who are good in pass protect.
HOWEVER, McBride, MHJ and Wilson have too big of an edge in the short passing game vs shorter Colts DBs, who always play zone, never get into press coverage, which means they're giving Brissett the shorter zones when he throws quickly from under center. Seattle's defensive philosophy is that they will allow McBride a free release off the LOS, which is great for Brissett as he's had a lot of success completing such throws. Seattle should also struggle to cover MHJ on such short throws as under Brissett he's excelled at walling off Defenders. Those short throws keep Brissett from getting hit, keep him in the Game. Today, Arizona has the same kind of personnel edge that Tampa Bay had in Week 5 when they put up 38 on Seattle.
Johnson out....couldn't stay on the field at Michigan, same in AZ.....if I were a GM I'd focus on drafting guys who'd be likely to actually play ball.
doesn't matter how skilled if not there.
All Injured Team would win every NFL game....BTW, since colleges pay now, injury reports are beginning to dominate NCAA too.....throw in betting boom, that's just today's money ball.
The other key hawks injury for this game of the slot corner jobe. He pretty good slot CB. They will use the rookie nick in the slot. You do some games in the inside and force nick knight and the new safety in for love to cover. Lots of replacement players in the middle of that defence