As the NFL offseason comes to a close and the regular season approaches, the Arizona Cardinals are eagerly anticipating their first game of the season on September 8 at Highmark Stadium against the Buffalo Bills. With only 78 days until kickoff, fans are eager to see how the team will perform this year.
One player who has yet to make his NFL debut is guard Marquis Hayes, who was drafted in the seventh round in 2022. Hayes spent his rookie season on injured reserve and the following season on the practice squad, but he is determined to make a name for himself on the field.
Despite not having made an impact yet, Hayes has big shoes to fill – he is currently wearing No. 78, which was once worn by offensive lineman Earl Watford from 2013-2016. Watford was known as a reliable backup for the team and received praise from head coach Bruce Arians each offseason for his versatility and skill as a “super sub.”
After leaving the Cardinals, Watford played two more seasons in the NFL for the Browns in 2018 and the Buccaneers in 2019, where he reunited with Arians as his coach. Watford was a beloved player who connected with fans during his time in Arizona, and Hayes will have to live up to that legacy if he wants to succeed with the team.
For more insights into all things Arizona Cardinals, be sure to listen to Cards Wire’s Jess Root on his podcast, Rise Up, See Red, available on Spotify, YouTube
