As the Arizona Cardinals gear up for the 2024 season, all eyes are on the team’s captains and their unique leadership styles. These captains are not just players but the backbone of the team, tasked with steering the Cardinals through the highs and lows that each NFL season inevitably brings. While the captains were named earlier this week, it’s worth noting that once the grind of the season begins, the topic of leadership often fades into the background—unless, of course, the team is winning.
Success always brings leadership into the spotlight. When a team is on a roll, everyone wants to talk about the leaders in the locker room who made it happen. On the flip side, when the losses start piling up and victories become a distant memory, those same conversations tend to fall silent. This dynamic makes the captain selections and the leadership styles they bring to the table even more crucial.
Budda Baker’s Leadership Legacy
Safety Budda Baker, a staple of the Cardinals’ defense, has been selected as a captain for the fifth straight year. This distinction is not lost on him. As a seasoned veteran heading into his eighth year in the league, Baker understands the weight of the role. On Thursday, he reflected on his leadership position, stating, "It’s very important. I don’t take that lightly. For me, I just try to continue to be the best player I can be."
For Baker, leadership extends beyond just leading by example. He’s the guy who takes the time to explain the finer points of the game to his teammates. “I’ve been playing this game; this is Year 8. I feel like I have a good sense of football,” Baker shared. His experience allows him to share insights that others might miss, making him a valuable resource to younger players. He added, "Just being able to help guys out, that factor is definitely special for me and for those guys that think of me that way is definitely special."
Baker’s leadership journey has been one of evolution. In his earlier years, he was more of a silent leader—someone who led by action rather than words. "I wasn’t a big talker. I would just kinda lead by example," Baker admitted. He recalled how coaches and teammates encouraged him to step up vocally, even though it wasn’t always comfortable. "I would kinda start shaking, get the sweats a little bit when I was younger because I just wanted to play football," he said. Now, with years of experience under his belt, Baker has embraced the role of a vocal leader, knowing that his teammates are counting on him to guide them.
Kyler Murray: The Evolution of a Leader
Quarterback Kyler Murray echoed Baker’s sentiments about the significance of being named a captain. For Murray, being voted into this role by his teammates is a strong vote of confidence. "It means my peers trust me. It means I'm doing the right things on and off the field," he said. Murray’s leadership style has also evolved over time. While he’s naturally a lead-by-example type of guy, he’s learned the importance of being more vocal as he’s grown older. "The trust of my peers and my teammates is big," Murray added, emphasizing that this recognition means the world to him.
For both Baker and Murray, leadership is a blend of action and words. But there’s no one-size-fits-all approach. Some players thrive by leading quietly through their performance on the field, while others take a more vocal route, rallying the team when it matters most. Baker acknowledged this by saying, "It all depends on who you are."
Jonathan Gannon on Authentic Leadership
Head coach Jonathan Gannon weighed in on the topic of leadership as well, offering a refreshing perspective. Gannon believes that there’s no "right" way to lead, as long as the leader is authentic. "I think the main thing is to be genuine by who you are," Gannon said. In his view, leadership comes in many forms, and authenticity is the key to effective leadership. "Everybody’s different, and we got a lot of different leadership styles in there, which is really cool to me," Gannon continued. He enjoys watching his players bring their unique leadership qualities to the table, noting how important it is for them to be "team-first guys" who work together to lift the squad.
Gannon’s emphasis on authenticity is something that resonates deeply in the Cardinals’ locker room. Leadership isn’t just about yelling in the huddle or making speeches. It’s about being true to who you are and finding ways to inspire others, whether through actions, words, or a mix of both.
Will Hernandez on the “Glue” of the Team
While captains like Baker and Murray are critical to the team’s success, leadership also comes from other key players who might not always be in the spotlight. One such player is veteran right tackle Kelvin Beachum, who’s entering his 13th NFL season at the age of 35. Beachum isn’t a captain this year, but his impact on the team cannot be overstated.
Right guard Will Hernandez had high praise for Beachum’s contributions, calling him "the glue that keeps all this team together." Hernandez elaborated on Beachum’s value, not just in terms of his on-field performance but also the wisdom he imparts to his teammates. "Experience like that; how many more guys can you actually name that have been playing for that many years?" Hernandez asked, highlighting the rarity of a player like Beachum who’s seen it all. Beachum, despite being in a backup role and earning a modest salary by NFL standards, remains a pivotal figure in the locker room.
Hernandez emphasized how much he’s learned from Beachum, both on and off the field. "This is my seventh year, and I feel like I’m learning so much every time I talk to him," Hernandez said. Beachum’s influence extends beyond football; he’s someone who offers guidance in life as well. "Football and non-football things too," Hernandez added, underscoring Beachum’s role as a mentor to the younger players.
Hernandez reiterated the value of Beachum’s leadership, saying, "He transfers his knowledge to all these guys and all these different positions because he’s seen it all." For Hernandez, Beachum is not just a teammate but a valuable asset who’s helping to mold the next generation of Cardinals players.
The Cardinal’s Leadership Formula
So, what’s the secret sauce behind the Arizona Cardinals’ leadership approach in 2024? It’s not about having a singular voice or a rigid leadership hierarchy. It’s about creating a culture where leadership can come from anywhere, whether it’s a star player like Kyler Murray or a seasoned vet like Kelvin Beachum. The Cardinals have a variety of leadership styles within their ranks, and that diversity is their strength.
Each player brings something unique to the table. Baker leads with his experience and poise, Murray with his growing vocal presence, and Beachum with his vast knowledge and ability to guide younger players. Head coach Jonathan Gannon’s philosophy of authenticity further enhances this approach, fostering an environment where players can be themselves while still stepping up as leaders.
As the season progresses, this diverse leadership structure will be put to the test. But one thing is clear: the Cardinals are building a team where leadership doesn’t just come from the top. It’s a collective effort, with each player contributing in their own way to the greater good of the team.
In the end, the Cardinals’ success this season will depend not just on their captains, but on the entire roster’s ability to come together and lead, no matter the challenges they face. Whether through words or actions, every player has a role to play in shaping the future of the Arizona Cardinals in 2024.
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