Mijo things: Will Hernandez far from your typical Cardinals re-signing

TEMPE — The team’s reaction to Arizona Cardinals offensive lineman Will Hernandez returning to the franchise said it all last week.

Safe to say Will Hernandez’s return to the Cardinals last week was well received. pic.twitter.com/berFq5Nhzf

— Tyler Drake (@Tdrake4sports) August 11, 2025

“I think he got a standing ovation,” head coach Jonathan Gannon said Monday. “Partly because not (only) the guy, the teammate and the player that he is, the guys know what he went through. That’s a hard deal. He’s working hard. It’s good to have him in the building.”

There’s no doubting Hernandez’s impact on the team across the past three seasons, whether it be on the field starting 35 games along the interior of the line or being a massive locker room presence.

Even as a free agent, plenty of players and members of the coaching staff could be seen rocking “Mijo Things” apparel, Hernandez’s foundation and brand. And it wasn’t just because they look cool.

That’s why Hernandez was projected by many as one of the biggest re-signing priorities this offseason.

The chatter only grew when he was officially cleared from the knee injury more than a week ago. As he put it Monday, he treated rehab like game days “except it was Sunday every day.” The talk only exploded when it was discovered he visited with the team near the end of training camp.

Let’s just say his re-signing announcement/birthday post for quarterback Kyler Murray couldn’t have come at a better time given the circumstances.

Just from an off-the-field standpoint, Hernandez’s return means more than your typical starter re-signing for another year. For both the lineman and team.

Will Hernandez’s belief in what the Cardinals are building was a huge factor in his decision to re-sign with the franchise last week.

“What we built here the last couple of years isn’t something you just get up and leave.” pic.twitter.com/KGqWhwnZtz

— Tyler Drake (@Tdrake4sports) August 11, 2025

“It was always an intention to come back. What we built here over the last couple years isn’t just something that you just get up and leave,” Hernandez said.

“Part of this decision wasn’t just like, ‘I want to be back just because I’m comfortable there.’ No, it was because I actually believe in everything that we’ve been building, what we have going on this year and I know the potential of where the Cardinals were going to go.”

Will Hernandez rounds out formidable interior O-line rotation

While cleared from the injury, Hernandez is taking things “day-by-day, week-by-week” as he works his way back into playing shape.

It’s unclear how long he’ll stay on the shelf — Hernandez is currently on the PUP list — but upon his return, the lineman will give the interior line some serious depth as a veteran swing piece.

That’s just the baseline for his potential impact on the field, too.

Evan Brown and Isaiah Adams, the latter of whom was one of the biggest standouts this camp, have done more than enough this camp to earn their starting roles alongside center Hjalte Froholdt.

That doesn’t mean there isn’t an avenue where Hernandez regains a starting role. It’s just not going to be handed to him.

“I understand that nothing in this league is just given. You have to earn it,” Hernandez said. “I did it myself when I became a starter. I had to earn that, too. It wasn’t just given. The way things are now could be completely different than where they are later on.

“Me knowing that’s really up to me, it’s not up to anyone else, is what keeps me calm. At the end of the day, you never know what’s going to happen later on. I love to think that the situation is in my hands.”

Even if Hernandez doesn’t find himself back in a starting role, the added competition he brings to the room should help raise the waterline of Adams as the second-year pro continues his ascension.

Related

OL Will Hernandez announces his return to Arizona CardinalsThe real winners from Cardinals' preseason victory vs. ChiefsWhat we learned from Cardinals' preseason win vs. ChiefsKyler Murray tosses interception in abbreviated preseason showing vs. ChiefsArizona Cardinals' deep DL room will swing how great defense can beCan Mike LaFleur duplicate Jordan Ott’s success in Year 1?