Cardinals’ leadership doesn’t stop at newly named team captains

TEMPE — There was even more weight added onto the title of “Arizona Cardinals captain” in Year 2 under head coach Jonathan Gannon.

After making the picks himself in 2023, Gannon put Arizona’s captaincy in the players’ hands. He also chopped the number of captains down from six to four, though there will be a game day captain “most games.” The players will also decide that the night prior.

Gannon’s new formula led to quarterback Kyler Murray, running back James Conner, linebacker Kyzir White and safety Budda Baker getting the nods for 2024.

Kyzir White on being named a team captain:

“Definitely feels good to know my teammates see me as a captain. It’s something I don’t take lightly.” https://t.co/NPKDPzrIHW pic.twitter.com/J9n1CwefSY

— Tyler Drake (@Tdrake4sports) September 2, 2024

“It feels good to get the respect from your peers. I feel like it means you’re doing the right things,” White said Monday. “I talk when I need to talk. I don’t try to do too much. I really just try to lead by example, so it definitely feels good to know that my teammates see me as a captain. It’s something I don’t take lightly.”

Earning captaincy in the NFL is no small feat, whether determined by coaching staff or teammates. Players earn those roles for a reason.

Who else is expected to help lead the Cardinals?

While there’s only four permanent “C” patches this upcoming season, there’s still plenty of leadership throughout the locker room.

“A lot of good guys in that locker room, a lot of guys got votes. A lot of leadership, positive leadership, in there with a bunch of different guys,” Gannon said. “I feel really good about the health and the state of where we are at as a team.”

One of the biggest names — and captaincy snubs — that comes to mind is pass rusher Dennis Gardeck. The veteran had earned the “C” the past four seasons with two different coaching staffs entering 2024.

Offensive lineman Paris Johnson Jr. has been vocal in wanting to take on a bigger leadership role in the locker room. Zaven Collins and veteran newcomer Justin Jones stand out as two more players capable of leading the charge.

“Justin Jones is a guy I got drafted with, and I actually voted for him to be a captain. Obviously, he didn’t get it, but he’s a captain in my eyes,” White said Monday. “Dennis Gardeck, another captain in my eyes.

“There’s a lot of captains in the room. (Gannon) just picked four this year so that’s what it came down to, but there’s more than four captains on this team to be honest.”

What makes a Cardinals captain?

When it comes to being a captain, the criteria’s simple in White’s eyes.

“Just be a leader. Try to do things the right way all the time, nobody’s perfect,” the MIKE backer said.

“Be accountable, be somebody that the guys can go to and just be a good teammate. Just because you’re a captain, that doesn’t put you above nobody. We’re all on the same level, but it’s a good honor.”

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