The Arizona Cardinals had a busy Tuesday, even though they were officially off the field, bringing in four linebackers for tryouts. It looks like they might be dealing with some depth issues at the position, potentially with rookie Karson Sharar on their active roster or Eugene Asante on the practice squad. What’s wild for us in the Emerald City is that among those four guys looking for a spot was a name some of the 12s might remember: Chris Paul, who spent last season on our very own Seattle Seahawks practice squad.
Cardinals Hunting For Depth
All four of these players trying out are specifically inside linebackers, meaning the Cardinals are clearly trying to shore up a particular area of their defense. This is the grind, the constant search for talent that every NFL team faces, especially as we get deeper into the regular season. These guys are out there fighting for their careers, for a shot to stick on an NFL roster, and the Cardinals are doing what they need to do to ensure they have the depth required to compete. It’s a constant juggling act for front offices to manage.
The Hustle Is Real: Former Hawk Paul and Others Chasing a Spot
Let’s talk about the players who were there, especially with that Seahawks connection that hits close to home for us. Chris Paul, drafted last year in the fifth round by the LA Rams, didn’t make their initial roster after the draft, a tough blow for any young player. But he found a landing spot with our Seahawks practice squad and dedicated the entire season there, honing his skills. Now, he’s out there trying to prove himself again to another team, demonstrating the brutal, never-ending reality of professional football. It’s a testament to his drive.
He wasn’t alone in the tryout scramble. Kobe King, a 6-1, 250-pound off-ball linebacker, was drafted in the sixth round last year by the Minnesota Vikings. As a rookie, he saw action for both the Vikings and the New York Jets, logging 219 snaps on special teams and three on defense. He was placed on injured reserve in June and then waived with an injury settlement in August. Marte Mapu, a 6-3, 230-pound player, spent the last three seasons with the New England Patriots after being drafted in the third round in 2023. Over his three seasons, Mapu accumulated 810 snaps on defense and 585 on special teams, including 255 special teams snaps in 2025. His stat line includes 25 total tackles, five pass breakups, a forced fumble, a fumble recovery, and an interception. Lastly, Jacob Roberts, a 6-1, 233-pound linebacker, went undrafted in 2025 and signed with the Minnesota Vikings in the offseason. Each of these guys has their own story of fighting to make it in the league, but Paul’s connection to our Hawks just makes it hit a little different, reminding us how quickly things can change.
It’s a tough league, and seeing former Seahawks like Paul still grinding shows you just how competitive it is to stay in the NFL. We’ll be keeping an eye on the transaction wire to see if any of these linebackers land a spot with Arizona. Every team is looking for that edge, for that depth, and every player is fighting for that chance. Go Hawks!
This article was created with AI assistance and published under Seattle On Tap’s editorial standards. See our Editorial Policy.
Originally reported by Yahoo Sports.
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