Tag: Markus Golden

Ex-Giant Markus Golden announces NFL retirement

Former New York Giants linebacker Markus Golden has officially announced his retirement after nine NFL seasons.

Former New York Giants linebacker Markus Golden officially announced his retirement on Wednesday after nine NFL seasons.

The 33-year-old Golden, who was originally selected by the Arizona Cardinals in the second round of the 2015 NFL draft, spent a season and a half with the Giants from 2019-2020.

In October of 2020, he was traded back to the Cardinals in exchange for a 2021 sixth-round pick, which was used to select cornerback Rodarius Williams.

After his second stint with the Cardinals, Golden joined the Pittsburgh Steelers in 2023 and was placed on the reserve/retired list earlier this month.

“Football has always been more than just a sport to me, I’ve officially retired from the NFL after playing the game I’ve loved all my life,” Golden wrote on Instagram. “I feel truly blessed to have been able to live out the dreams and goals I set for myself as a kid. A Big thank you to God, my family, friends, St. Louis, Matthew Dickey Boys & Girls Club, Affton, Hutchinson Community College, Mizzou, The Arizona Cardinals, New York Giants, and Pittsburgh Steelers for giving me the opportunity to pursue my dreams.

“I’m also incredibly grateful to all the teammates and coaches I had the privilege to work with along the way. To all the incredible fans, Thank You! Your passion and energy fueled me, and I’m grateful for each and every one of you.”

In 23 games (17 starts) for the Giants, Golden recorded 72 tackles (37 solo, 15 for a loss), 33 QB hits, 11.5 sacks, one pass defensed, one fumble recovery, and one defensive touchdown.

Former Cardinals pass rusher Markus Golden announces NFL retirement

Golden had 51 sacks in nine seasons in the NFL. He had 35.5 sacks for the Cardinals in six and a half seasons.

Linebacker Markus Golden was an Arizona Cardinals fan favorite. He had two successful stints with the Cardinals. After nine seasons in the NFL, he is calling it a career.

Golden has announced his retirement from the NFL via social media.

It was not a surprise. After signing a deal this month to join the Pittsburgh Steelers, he was placed on the reserve/retired list, so this announcement was a couple of weeks in coming.

https://www.instagram.com/p/C-8erdVy2RH/?hl=en

In his post, he wrote:

Football has always been more than just a sport to me, I’ve officially retired from the NFL after playing the game I’ve loved all my life. I feel truly blessed to have been able to live out the dreams and goals I set for myself as a kid.

A Big thank you to God, my family, friends, St. Louis, Matthew Dickey Boys & Girls Club, Affton, Hutchinson Community College, Mizzou, The Arizona Cardinals, New York Giants, and Pittsburgh Steelers for giving me the opportunity to pursue my dreams. I’m also incredibly grateful to all the teammates and coaches I had the privilege to work with along the way. To all the incredible fans, Thank You! Your passion and energy fueled me, and I’m grateful for each and every one of you.

He was a beloved teammate, as you can tell from the comments from scores of former Cardinals teammates.

Golden was a second-round pick in 2015. He played four seasons for the Cardinals, a year and a half with the New York Giants, followed by another two and a half seasons in Arizona before spending last season with the Steelers.

He finished his career with 51 sacks, 35.5 of them with the Cardinals. He had three seasons with at least 10 sacks. His 35.5 career sacks with the Cardinals are 12th in franchise history.

Golden was a great Cardinal and made an impact both on and off the field. We wish him the best in the next stage of his life and career.

Get more Cardinals and NFL coverage from Cards Wire’s Jess Root and others by listening to the latest on the Rise Up, See Red podcast. Subscribe on Spotify, YouTube or Apple podcasts.

 

Steelers announce retirement of LB Markus Golden

One week after rejoining the Steelers, OLB Markus Golden has called it a career. 

One week after rejoining the Pittsburgh Steelers, outside linebacker Markus Golden has called it a career.

The Steelers announced on Friday that the nine-year veteran has been placed on the reserve/retired list.

Golden played an essential role during the 2023 season, spelling T.J. Watt and Alex Highsmith. He started in place of the injured Watt in the Steelers’ AFC Wild Card game against the Buffalo Bills, where he recorded a sack, three tackles (one for loss) and a quarterback hit.

Golden appeared in 16 games, finishing the 2023 season with 20 tackles (14 solo; six for loss), four sacks, one pass defensed, and a fumble recovery. His four sacks ranked third behind Watt (19) and Highsmith (seven).

Drafted in the second round by the Arizona Cardinals, Golden played in 127 games with 68 starts. He has 343 career tackles (68 for loss), 51 sacks, 11 forced fumbles and six fumble recoveries; one returned for a touchdown.

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Steelers bring back Markus Golden on one year-deal

The Steelers have brought back a familiar name in OLB Markus Golden.

Markus Golden is back in the Black and Gold, the Pittsburgh Steelers announced this morning.

Golden, signed to a one-year contract, played an essential role during the 2023 season, spelling T.J. Watt and Alex Highsmith. He started in place of the injured Watt in the Steelers AFC Wild Card game versus the Buffalo Bills, where he recorded a sack, three tackles (one for loss) and a quarterback hit.

Golden appeared in 16 games, finishing the 2023 season with 20 tackles (14 solo; six for loss), four sacks, one pass defensed, and a fumble recovery. His four sacks ranked third behind Watt (19) and Highsmith (seven).

In nine seasons, the former second-round draft pick has played in 127 games with 68 starts. Golden has 343 career tackles (68 for loss) and 51 sacks. He has 11 forced fumbles and six fumble recoveries; one returned for a touchdown.

To make room for Golden on the roster, the team waived/injured linebacker David Perales.

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44 days till the Cardinals’ season opener against the Bills

Linebacker Owen Pappoe is currently No. 44 but the most recent impactful No. 44 for the Cardinals was Markus Golden.

The Arizona Cardinals held their first open practice in front of fans at State Farm Stadium and will hold another today (Friday) in training camp. We are a day closer to the start the Cardinals’ 2024 regular season.

They will take the field at Highmark Stadium in Week 1 on September 8 to take on the Buffalo Bills.

That is in 44 days.

The Cardinals’ current No. 44 is second-year linebacker Owen Pappoe. He has not really made an impact as he was mostly a special teams contributor last season as a rookie.

The last impactful No. 44 was the last guy to wear it before Pappoe. That was linebacker Markis Golden.

Golden was with the Cardinals from 2015-2018 and again in 2021-2022.

He had two double-digit sack seasons and finished his time with the Cardinals with 35.5 total sacks.

We will have another countdown post tomorrow!

Listen to the latest from Cards Wire’s Jess Root on his podcast, Rise Up, See Red. Subscribe on Spotify, YouTube or Apple podcasts.

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Bleacher Report names 3 realistic free-agent targets for the Panthers

Bleacher Report’s scouting department listed three realistic free-agent options for the Panthers following the 2024 draft.

Even after what’s been a very busy offseason, the Carolina Panthers may not be done reconstructing their roster.

Bleacher Report’s scouting department recently ran down every NFL team’s biggest needs coming out of the 2024 draft. And while the Panthers got themselves a steal in the fourth round with University of Texas tight end Ja’Tavion Sanders, Robert Tonyan is listed as one of three realistic free-agent targets moving forward:

The Panthers still have questions at tight end, though, and taking a flier on Robert Tonyan Jr. would sense. Tonyan had a couple of productive years with the Green Bay Packers before largely disappearing in the Chicago Bears offense last season. He could provide competition for fourth-round rookie Ja’Tavion Sanders and shouldn’t drain Carolina’s limited remaining cap resources.

Tonyan’s best season for the Packers came in 2020, when he recorded career-highs in receiving yards (586) and touchdowns (11). But 2023—where he amassed just 11 catches for 112 yards and no scores—wouldn’t be nearly as kind.

The Panthers could also use some extra juice off the edge and at the cornerback position. So, veterans Markus Golden and Stephon Gilmore were also noted:

Defensively, the Panthers need to find more pieces to replace the production of Brian Burns, who was traded early in the offseason. Jadeveon Clowney will help, but consistency has never been his biggest asset.

Markus Golden, who produced four sacks with the Steelers last season, is another potential bargain option to consider.

In the trade to acquire Johnson from Pittsburgh, Carolina parted with cornerback Donte Jackson. The Panthers should keep pushing to bring back Stephon Gilmore as a replacement.

Gilmore, who has been connected to Carolina over the last month or so, recently told league insider Josina Anderson that he’s waiting for the right opportunity to find his next landing spot.

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Steelers LB Markus Golden ready to roll vs Colts

No matter what happens with T.J. Watt & Alex Highsmith, Markus Golden is preparing for his name to be called versus the Colts this week.

When the Pittsburgh Steelers signed Markus Golden in May, they signed a guy with a no-matter-what attitude. And that’s what they’ll need on Saturday.

With the status of T.J. Watt and Alex Highsmith uncertain, Golden will need to step up in a big way to help the team defend the Indianapolis Colts this week.

“No matter what, I’ll be ready no matter what, I’m prepared,” Golden told Steelers media on Tuesday. “Since I’ve been in the NFL, man, I’ve been doing it like this no matter what. I’m going hard no matter what and so what whatever comes I’ll be prepared and ready.

Even though his time in Pittsburgh has been brief, he’s a 10-year veteran who knows how things go in the league. He’s been part of some bad teams, and the Steelers are no different. It’s all about how you respond to adversity.

“Staying together. Not pointing no fingers. It’s a team sport. You can’t blame it on one person, can’t blame it on one side of the ball. You’ve got to come together, go hard and do what you gotta do. Everybody wanna win. Do what you gotta do to win.”

In Week 14, Golden was inactive for the first time since joining the team. And it turned out it was when they would need him most.

Golden knows it’s all part of the business but will be ready when his name is inevitably called on Saturday.

He has three sacks, 11 tackles and five quarterback hits in 12 games.

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Former Cardinals LB Markus Golden signing with Steelers

Golden only had 2.5 sacks last season but has reached double digits three times in his career. The Cardinals will face Golden in Week 13.

The Pittsburgh Steelers picked up some pass rushing help, adding a former Arizona Cardinals linebacker.

According to ESPN’s Adam Schefter, the Steelers and linebacker Markus Golden agreed to a one-year contract.

Golden became a free agent after he was released this offseason. it was his second stint with the team.

2022 was a disappointing year for him. He injured his toe in the weight room in the offseason, dropping a kettlebell on it. He signed a contract extension before the season only to finish with only 2.5 sacks on the season.

He will face his former team if he makes the roster and stays healthy. The Cardinals face the Steelers on the road in Week 13.

Golden has reached double digits in sacks three times in his career, twice with the Cardinals. He should be a decent addition to the Steelers opposite T.J. Watt.

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Listen to the latest from Cards Wire’s Jess Root on his podcast, Rise Up, See Red. Subscribe on Apple podcasts or Spotify.

 

11 veteran free agents the Rams should consider signing following the 2023 NFL draft

The 2023 NFL draft has passed and the Rams could still sign these veterans to fill the remaining holes on their roster.

The 2023 NFL draft is now behind us, with the Los Angeles Rams making 14 total selections in the seven rounds. After the draft was completed, the Rams have also proceeded to sign 26 undrafted rookies to deals.

Besides adding first-year players via the draft, the Rams will likely use free agency to shape the rest of their roster this offseason. With the draft passing by, teams in the NFL can now sign veterans without it affecting their compensatory pick status.

So with the Rams having an opportunity to choose from the remaining free agents, here are 11 veterans they should consider signing this offseason to fill the rest of the holes on the roster.

4 second-wave free agent targets for the Saints to consider

Improving depth will be key for the Saints, and there’s a lot to like in former Browns LB Anthony Walker Jr. He’s one to watch in free agency’s second week:

Few teams have as much salary cap space to work with as the New Orleans Saints do right now, which is kind of hilarious given all of the hand-wringing from national pundits and misinformed fans of other teams in recent weeks. The Saints have a plan, and they’re executing it. It’s positioned them to make more noise in free agency as the next wave of signings begins to spread across the NFL. So which free agents could be on their radar?

Now, signing any of these players will jeopardize the much-needed 2024 compensatory draft picks the Saints are projected to receive after losing so many of their own free agents in the first week of signings. But the Saints don’t often pay much mind to their comp picks (they would’ve gotten a couple of third-round picks in this year’s draft had they not signed Andy Dalton and Marcus Maye last offseason) so it shouldn’t shock anyone if they angle for immediate upgrades over long-term draft capital. For better or worse, that’s just how they do business: