Kelvin Beachum back with Arizona Cardinals on 2-year deal

The Arizona Cardinals knocked an item off the offensive line checklist Tuesday by agreeing to a two-year deal with starting right tackle Kelvin Beachum.

The 31-year-old signed with Arizona last July as a free agent and thrived in his first year with the team.

He re-joins a team that as of Tuesday has locked in starters on the line at left tackle (D.J. Humphries) and left guard (Justin Pugh).

While Humphries earned Pro Bowl consideration on the left side, Beachum arguably brought more value on the right playing under a salary of $1.2 million, according to Spotrac.

Sports Info Solutions’ total points earned (TPE) statistic favored Beachum over Humphries in terms of production.

Beachum was signed late in the free agency process last offseason with expected starting right tackle Marcus Gilbert opting out of the season due to coronavirus concerns. It is not known whether Gilbert, who is under contract, will return for 2021.

That leaves one less hole on the offensive line.

Justin Murray earned an extension last season and took over the right guard spot for impending free agent J.R. Sweezy mid-year.

At center, Mason Cole and Lamont Gaillard return, but offensive line coach and run game coordinator Sean Kugler made it clear they would have to compete for the starting job in camp. Kugler left it open for Arizona to pursue free agent centers as well, and there are assumptions the Cardinals were after the top player on the market, Corey Linsley, before he signed a record deal with the Los Angeles Chargers.

The Oakland Raiders released Rodney Hudson on Tuesday presumably to open cap space next year, and the Cardinals are linked to his surprising free agency.

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