ARIZONA CARDINALS

Steve Smith bashes Cardinals QB Josh Rosen over social media scrub

Apr 26, 2019, 3:05 PM

(Photo by Grant Halverson/Getty Images)...

(Photo by Grant Halverson/Getty Images)

(Photo by Grant Halverson/Getty Images)

It’s no longer a secret.

The Arizona Cardinals drafted former Oklahoma quarterback Kyler Murray with the No. 1 overall pick in the 2019 NFL Draft, and seem poised to move on from incumbent QB Josh Rosen as trade rumors swirl.

But while the move seems likely, Rosen is still under contract in the desert.

He has, however, distanced himself — in a way — by unfollowing the team’s Instagram and Twitter accounts.

While some may see that as no big deal, there are others in the business that didn’t take the social media purge lightly.

Most notably, Steve Smith Jr., the former NFL WR and now analyst.

“If you’re concerned about it, quit playing with your [expletive] fingers and going on Twitter and get your [expletive] in the weight room and get ready to play some football,” Smith said when asked about Rosen. “Now, you’re mad because they brought some competition in here so you’re going to try and take your ball? Well first of all son, it ain’t your [expletive] ball to take anyway.

“So you keep playing with your phone and you keep showing us what the stigma of you and who you are at UCLA. Now, you’ve brought it to the professional level and showed us when things don’t go your way, you’re going to cry in the corner.”

While Smith is certainly fired up on the subject, there are a few things to note.

Yes, Rosen unfollowed the accounts, but he has been present with the team.

During the Cardinals’ voluntary mini camp last Tuesday, Rosen was front and center, working with the other two quarterbacks on the roster at the time. Even with all the talk of taking Murray No. 1. For reference, Patrick Peterson, who is reportedly dissatisfied with the team, was not in attendance.

And while the unfollowing could be looked at as childish and immature, Cardinals head coach Kliff Kingsbury praised Rosen for his professionalism on Tuesday.

“I’m just going to keep going back to how he’s handled it as far as professionalism as far as he’s led, showed up early, done everything to the nth-degree of what we’ve asked of him,” Kingsbury said. “That’s the sign of a true pro.

“He went top-10 for a reason. I think people forgot that.”

[stats][/stats]

Presented By
Western Governors University

Comments

Comment guidelines: No name-calling, personal attacks, profanity, or insults. Please keep the conversation civil and help us moderate comments by reporting abuse.
comments powered by Disqus

Arizona Cardinals

Zach Wilson, Jets quarterback...

Associated Press

Broncos trade for Jets’ Zach Wilson, could remain in QB market during 2024 NFL Draft

Zach Wilson was expected to be the face of the franchise for the New York Jets. Now he's been traded to the Denver Broncos.

18 hours ago

Arizona Cardinals GM Monti Ossenfort...

Arizona Sports

Report: Cardinals GM told rivals he won’t consider trading draft pick until on the clock

Arizona Cardinals GM Monti Ossenfort reportedly told rival executives he won't agree to a trade before he's on the clock in the NFL Draft.

22 hours ago

Monti Ossenfort speaks at the NFL Combine...

Tyler Drake

NFL mock draft tracker: What will the Cardinals do with the No. 4 pick?

A look at the players being mocked to the Arizona Cardinals at No. 4 overall in the first round of the 2024 NFL Draft.

23 hours ago

Monti Ossenfort...

Arizona Sports

Lance Zierlein: If Cardinals trade No. 4 pick, expect them to move back up

It is become popular in mock drafts for the Cardinals move off the No. 4 pick, which is where longtime NFL.com analyst Lance Zierlein landed.

2 days ago

Arizona Cardinals fans...

Arizona Sports

Did the Chargers GM tease a Cardinals draft-day trade?

The Cardinals are not looking for a quarterback, but Chargers GM Joe Horitz said his team could have its pick of the top non-QB in the draft.

3 days ago

Arizona Cardinals GM Monti Ossenfort talks to reporters...

Tyler Drake

Monti Ossenfort keeping trade options open as Cardinals’ draft board nears completion

The Arizona Cardinals have about 95% of their draft board completed about a week out from the NFL Draft and continue to look at all avenues.

5 days ago

Steve Smith bashes Cardinals QB Josh Rosen over social media scrub