The Arizona Cardinals are heading into a crucial offseason with a whopping 20 players set to become unrestricted free agents. Among them, a significant chunk of talent comes from the offensive line—tackle Kelvin Beachum and guards Evan Brown, Will Hernandez, and Trystan Colon. These names might not steal headlines like a star quarterback or a top-tier wide receiver, but for a team looking to rebuild or solidify protection for their signal-caller, these players could be key pieces.
The Experienced Trio vs. The Wild Card
Beachum, Brown, and Hernandez have built solid reputations over the years as dependable starters in the league. Their names bring experience, consistency, and an understanding of what it takes to hold the trenches in the NFL. But then there’s Trystan Colon—less of a household name, less accomplished, and with a much smaller sample size of starting experience.
Colon has played in 51 career games, but only 15 of those were starts. In his two seasons with the Cardinals, he managed just 11 starts. He’s not exactly a marquee free agent expected to have teams lining up for his services. Or is he?
A Shocking Free Agent Projection
You’d think, given his modest resume, that Colon would be one of those free agents who quietly signs a team-friendly deal, possibly returning to Arizona on a short-term contract. But according to Spotrac, one of the top platforms for tracking player contracts and market values, the reality might be far from that expectation.
Spotrac’s statistical model has projected an absolutely jaw-dropping contract for Colon—a staggering $16.6 million per year. Yes, you read that right. The least accomplished of Arizona’s free agent offensive linemen is being valued as if he’s a premier starter.
The Big Question: Why?
Colon isn’t without his strengths. He’s versatile, has experience at multiple positions on the line, and at just 25 years old, he still has room to develop. However, there’s no escaping the fact that he has never started more than seven games in a single season and was even benched last year. So, why is he projected to command such a massive payday?
It all comes down to a combination of factors:
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Positional Value: Versatile offensive linemen are always in demand, especially those who can slot in at different positions when injuries strike.
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Youth & Potential: At 25, teams might see him as a player who hasn’t reached his ceiling yet.
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Statistical Models: Sometimes, analytics don’t tell the full story. Spotrac’s formula takes into account various performance metrics that may not fully align with in-game impact.
Free Agency’s Biggest Surprise?
If Colon were to actually secure a contract anywhere near $16.6 million per year, it would easily be one of the biggest free agent shocks in recent memory. The market for offensive linemen has been on the rise, but a deal of that magnitude for a player with Colon’s resume? That would turn heads across the league.
While there’s no doubt that Colon will find a team willing to sign him, it’s hard to imagine Arizona—or any team, really—offering him that kind of money. More than likely, he will land somewhere on a more reasonable deal, possibly as a depth piece or a backup who competes for a starting job.
Could He Return to Arizona?
The Cardinals are in a rebuilding phase, and keeping familiar faces on the offensive line could provide some much-needed stability. However, if the market truly believes Colon is worth a hefty contract, Arizona will likely look elsewhere. There’s simply no way they’d commit that kind of financial investment to a player with such an unproven track record.
But that’s the beauty of free agency—sometimes the market makes absolutely no sense, and teams end up overpaying for potential rather than proven production. If some front office decides Colon is worth that much, Arizona might just have to tip their cap and move on.
What’s Next for the Cardinals?
With 20 free agents hitting the market, Arizona has plenty of decisions to make beyond just the offensive line. They need to evaluate their roster, assess which players fit their long-term vision, and decide where to allocate their salary cap space.
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Do they prioritize keeping Beachum, Brown, or Hernandez?
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Do they let Colon walk if another team offers him an inflated deal?
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How do they address the gaps in their roster through free agency and the draft?
Final Thoughts
One thing is certain—the NFL offseason never fails to deliver surprises. Whether Colon’s free agent market explodes as Spotrac suggests or he ends up signing a much more reasonable deal, his situation is a perfect example of how unpredictable free agency can be.
For the Cardinals, every decision they make will shape the team’s future. And as they navigate this critical period, all eyes will be on how they manage their offensive line—especially if Colon somehow lands that mind-blowing payday.
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