The Arizona Cardinals are expected to be in the market for a new center as free agency approaches. According to ESPN’s Jeremy Fowler, the team expects Rodney Hudson to retire this offseason.
This will come as no surprise.
Hudson contemplated retirement last offseason and didn’t report for any offseason work. He did return to play another season in time for training camp but dealt with a balky knee all season.
He ended up finishing the season on injured reserve after playing in only four games.
Hudson, a three-time Pro Bowler, is 33 years old.
The Cardinals traded for him in 2021 and signed him to a three-year redone contract.
He was due $8.25 million in salary in 2023 but agreed to a reduced number to $2.05 million. It is uncertain whether he still had a roster bonus due.
If he retires and the team places him on the reserve/retired list, his contract will still count $1.76 million against the salary cap in 2023 for the prorated part of his signing bonus in 2021.
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