Mason Cole set to take over as starting center for Cardinals, but nothing ruled out yet

The Cardinals love Cole’s abilities but GM Steve Keim did not rule out a return of A.Q. Shipley.

The Arizona Cardinals have re-signed a bunch of players from the offseason. One notable player who is still a free agent is center A.Q. Shipley. He is one of very few offensive linemen from 2019 who is not again under contract.

Not long ago, head coach Kliff Kingsbury said potentially re-signing Shipley was “a work in progress.”

It appears the Cardinals are ready to move on from Shipley and give Mason Cole the opportunity to be the starter.

“Mason Cole started every game at center two years ago,” general manager Steve Keim said on a video conference with reporters this week. “He’s extremely smart, he’s tough but he’s really, really athletic at climbing and adjusting at the second level, so he’s a great fit for our offensive scheme.”

Last year before the season, Kingsbury said the competition between Shipley and Cole was very close but Shipley got the nod, in part because of his experience and how he could help a rookie quarterback in Kyler Murray.

Keim would not rule out a possible return of Shipley.

“Well it’s like anything else, there’re a number of guys that are free agents right now, but I wouldn’t rule anything out is all I’ll say,” he said.

If Shipley remains unsigned and Cole struggles or gets hurt, Shipley could get the call. It would be similar to 2015 when the Cardinals brought back center Lyle Sendlein in training camp in 2015. He had been cut in March but Bruce Arians, then the head coach, wasn’t confident enough in Shipley or Ted Larsen. Sendlein returned and the Cardinals went 13-3. Shipley took over the next season as starter and was through last season, excluding his lost season ni 2018 to a torn ACL.

The Cardinals are giving Cole the opportunity to be the guy. Kingsbury had nothing but great things to say about him all last year.

Shipley could return, but it only will be in case of injury or ineffectiveness.

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Listen to the latest from Cards Wire’s Jess Root on his podcast, Rise Up, See Red. Sub scribe on Apple podcasts or Stitcher Radio.

Ep. 264

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Ep. 263

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4 players on Cardinals’ roster who could be ready to replace a free agent

These players potentially could jump into the role that one of the Cardinals’ many free agents had last season.

The Arizona Cardinals have a large group of free agents entering the offseason. For some of them, the Cardinals don’t really have a replacement for them already on the roster. For some, there are players who could potentially slide into the role.

Who are those who could fill the role of potential departed free agents?

OL Mason Cole

All signs point toward A.Q. Shipley returning in 2020. However, if he and the Cardinals can’t come to terms, they do have Cole. Head coach Kliff Kingsbury considers Cole a starting-caliber offensive lineman and gave him offensive snaps at all three interior positions in the season’s final games just to get him on the field.

Cole battled Shipley for the starting center job right up to the end of the preseason. Having drafted Lamont Gaillard, Cole could slide into the starting role and Gaillard could be the versatile interior backup.

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Kliff Kingsbury managing to get Mason Cole reps despite healthy O-line

“Mason’s very versatile for us, very valuable and can play anything. It gives him some reps and keeps those guys fresh.”

Arizona Cardinals offensive lineman Mason Cole has been praised by head coach Kliff Kingsbury all season. He has been called the most valuable lineman they have because of his versatility and play.

However, he just hasn’t been able to play much because of a pretty healthy starting lineup. Of the five starters, only right tackle has had any missed games. They lost Marcus Gilbert and then Jordan Mills to injured reserve and Justin Murray missed a couple of games with a knee injury. When Murray was out, Justin Pugh moved to right tackle and Cole played left guard.

But playing time has been sporadic.

Kingsbury used Cole on Sunday against the Rams to give three players a few snaps off. Cole played 21 snaps, getting seven at right guard, two at center and 11 at left guard. He was an eligible receiver on one play.

Kingsbury told reporters Cole has earned those snaps.

“He’s definitely done enough,” he said on Monday. “Both those guys, (J.R.) Sweezy and (Justin) Pugh, have been banged up and nicked up, and this late in the year, we want to make sure they’re at their best when they’re in. That’s allowed us to do that. Mason’s – I’ve said it all year – very versatile for us, very valuable and can play anything. It gives him some reps and keeps those guys fresh.”

Both Pugh and Sweezy had missed practice time in the week leading up to the game.

They didn’t miss a beat with Cole in the game. Looking ahead to 2020, Pugh and Sweezy are still under contract. Shipley is a free agent but could return. Cole might be in the same position next year.

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Listen to the latest from Cards Wire’s Jess Root on his podcast, Rise Up, See Red. Sub scribe on Apple podcasts or Stitcher Radio.

Ep. 251:

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Ep. 250:

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