It’s unknown whether new acquisition Baron Browning will be active for the Arizona Cardinals in Sunday’s game against the Jets, but the edge rusher is hopeful he will be in uniform.
Browning, who was acquired for a sixth-round pick in the 2025 draft, had one practice under his belt when he spoke to the media Wednesday.
Asked when he believes he’ll be ready to play, Browning said, “I’m just taking it day by day. I wouldn’t want to put a timetable on it. Obviously, I’d like to play this week, but I’m trusting in the coaches and following the plan they have for me.”
It’s usually a big adjustment when a player is traded during the season, but especially so with only eight games remaining for the Cardinals.
Browning admitted there were a “whirlwind of emotions with the process starting over. It’s like going to a new school, meeting new people, new faces, just trying to remember everybody and settle in.”
He welcomes the opportunity ahead, knowing his contract expires after the season.
“I think everything happens for a reason. I’m a firm believer in my fate. I don’t question anything. I just accept, embrace it and look forward to the opportunity.”
And while there can be some questioning because the team you were on decided to part ways, the flip side is the new team sees something they like.
“It’s always good to feel wanted,” Browning said. “You don’t want to talk to the girl who doesn’t want you. I would say it’s the same thing. I’m just happy they wanted me and I’m happy to be here.”
Cardinals defensive coordinator Nick Rallis, who was the Eagles linebackers coach in 2021 when Browning was drafted in the third round, recalls the evaluation he did that year and meeting with him over Zoom because COVID-19 resulted in there not being a combine that year.
Rallis said, “I did a lot of work on him coming out. I just remember asking him some questions where he was able to respond and give unbelievable answers. The awareness that he had obviously (showed) he was very well-coached in college. I was very impressed with him. He’s a very intelligent guy.
“Really loved the guy honestly, more than anything coming out. So excited to get to work with him. Obviously, the first time I’ve ever actually been able to get hands-on with him, but I know the character’s gonna fit right in. I love the skill set of what he showed in college and what he’s showed so far in the NFL.”
So, Baron, do you recall much about your discussion with Rallis?
He laughed and said, “I ain’t gonna lie. I don’t remember. The years, they start blending together, game plans. I remember talking to him, but I don’t remember our conversation in detail. I know I liked his energy, so I’m glad to be here with him and JG (head coach Jonathan Gannon).
When Gannon was asked Wednesday about his early impressions of Browning, he dead-panned, “Really good handshake.”
The Broncos played him on the inside as a rookie and after switching to the outside in 2022, he totaled 9.5 sacks the next two seasons. This year, he was waylaid by a foot injury early in Week 2 and after missing four games, returned as a backup for the last three games.
Browning has confidence in his ability, saying, “It wasn’t the year I hoped to start off with. I had a great training camp and having that foot injury was a minor setback, but everything happens for a reason. I think everything happens in God’s timing.
“If you watch the tape, I feel like I’ve been rushing the passer at a high level, even though I haven’t had the production I want this season. But I know it’s coming. I’m trusting the process and continuing to approach work every day with the same mindset to get better.”
Asked if he had a sense a trade might be brewing, he said, “A little bit, but for me, I didn’t want to be a distraction to my teammates, be a distraction to my unit back in Denver. I was just ready for it to be done just to kinda get this fresh start and show what I can do. I know I’m a starter in this league and I know I can play at a high level so I’m just excited about this opportunity to do that here.”
He also understood the direction the Broncos decided to go.
They had selected Jonathon Cooper in the seventh round in 2021 and then Nik Bonitto in the second round in 2022. Cooper recently signed a four-year contract extension worth $54 million with $16.7 million guaranteed and Bonitto stepped up this season when Browning was injured.
Browning said, “We had a very talented room in Denver. I was coming off an injury. Coop was playing well. Nik was playing well, so I think too they can’t pay both of us so just understanding the business side of it.”
Whatever his status is this week, both Browning and Rallis are glad the team’s bye is next week.
Rallis said, “That’s an extra week that you can really kind of get back to some of the basics and not worry about a specific opponent or new calls to a scheme. So yeah, that’s a big week.”
“The bye definitely allows time to settle in a little more and have a little more time and not just trying to crunch all this information in,” Browning said.
Teammates also weighed in on the addition, including quarterback Kyler Murray who analyzes numerous players coming to the NFL.
“I think anytime you can add a player with the caliber that Baron has (it’s good),” Murray said. “I know he was a five-star (recruit), one of the best players coming out of high school. Went to Ohio State, so I was very familiar with the rankings and all that stuff even then. I personally know what he is capable of.
“I think he’s had some injuries that has kept him off the field, which we all deal with. When he is on the field, he’s very explosive. Has the ability, obviously. I’m excited for him. I’m excited for the opportunity that he adds to the team and (for him) to come off the edge and get the passer because that’s a crucial part of the game.”
Even though it wasn’t the flashy acquisition people hoped for, players still appreciate general manager Monto Ossenfort making a move.
“It shows how much (he) believes in this team and how much he’s willing to (do) to get this team better,” linebacker Mack Wilson Sr. said. “We felt like our pass rush was a need with (Dennis) Gardeck going down. Baron (is) a high-caliber guy that can do everything at both levels. Athletic, rush, and can drop in coverage. It’s a great addition.”
Time will tell if it is, but a sixth-round pick and being responsible for only $1.558 million in salary for the rest of the season is a small price to pay to find out.
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